Technics ends production of legendary SL-1200 turntables
Many a DJ swore by the Technics SL-1200 series of turntables, which became legendary in pubs and clubs all over the world.
For years they were the DJ's deck of choice, and one member of the team here on whathifi.com even managed to drop his down four flights of stairs, yet – apart from a few scratches – it carried on working perfectly.
Sadly, the SL-1200's days are numbered. Technics has officially announced it will end production of all its analogue turntables this autumn. If you still have one, hang on to it: it's bound to become a classic.
"After more than 35 years as a leading manufacturer of analogue turntables, Panasonic [Technics' parent company] has regretfully taken the decision to leave this market," a spokeswoman told whathifi.com.
"We are sure that retailers and consumers will understand that our product range has to reflect the accelerating transformation of the entire audio market from analogue to digital.
"In addition, the number of component suppliers serving the analogue market has dwindled in recent years and we brought forward the decision to leave the market rather than risk being unable to fulfil future orders because of a lack of parts."
However, Panasonic will continue to sell headphones under the Technics brand.
Do you own a Technics turntable? Have you still got it? Let us know in the Comments box below.
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Comments
had mine since 1996 and they are still keeping time and working perfectly. Im going to buy two more while i can get hold of them incase the worst happens to mine.
The world would be a very sad place without a pair of these in my house.
It's sad to see an icon go... it's the audio equivalent of The Beatles splitting up, or the Ford Escort being discontinued!
I now use a 1210II as my hi-fi turntable, and it is wonderful for both it's usability and listenability.
I have owned various "audiophile" turntables over the years, and I much prefer the Technics.
With it's build quality it should see me out!
I bought my 1200 mk2 when they were a Hi-Fi deck, never been a better player and unless they reverse their position, never will be again.
OK, the world is becoming digital but the market for analogue continues to rebound and grow.
Dumb decision. Typical for a huge corporation.
They could bring back the SP10 and sell thousands, let alone keeping the SL1200. Decision could be understood if they were upgrading or introducing new product.
These decks last you 30 yrs and more, that's the kind of product you kind find anymore nowadays
Technics SLBD22 still working.
Sad to see the SL1200 Go.
A surprise, but perhaps not a shock!
I've still got my 1200s set up in my study, next to my computer and cushioning a SHMZ-1200 mixer...(my aim was to move into the CD mixing, but never did).
Obvioulsy hugely respected decks by both the pros and bedroom spinners (like myself) but times move on. Ironically I was thinking about selling mine, but perhaps I'll keep hold of them! They're in good nick and have survived many a University party!!
I have a Technics SL1310 Mk2 which is I have owned since new in 1979. This is like a domestic version of the SL1200. I have also since then owned a Linn Axis then a Roksan Xerxes, but the Technics still gets used when the Roksan is being serviced ! In all the years I have owned it the only problem I had with it was a broken arm lift mechanism, which I managed to repair myself. I have been tempted to try fitting another arm to the unit as others do to the 1200, but the adapter plates are the wrong diameter!
They're not up to the standards of some (much more expensive!) modern hifi decks, but Technics have to be congratulated for producing a piece of kit that has endured so well and given sterling service to so many users for such a long time.
Many Thanks to you, Matsushita !!!
What a shame.. Even in the digitalizing age of the DJ-gear there are still loads of DJ's spinning with vinyl. Whether analogue vinyl or using Time-coded vinyl for control of DJ-software (as myself).
I have my technics for over 5 years now and will never get rid of them. Nowadays more and more people seem to prefer features over reliability and build quality and believe that an overkill of features makes up for bad mixing skills.
Technics (at least the 1200/1210) may not excel in features but my.. are they build like a tank and more reliable than a swiss watch.
Such a shame.. but I'm glad I have mine hugging my mixer on both sides.
I bought a pair of 1210 mkIIs second hand around 15 years ago and was using them regularly right up until about two years ago when they sadly had to make way for a pair of Pioneer CDJs. I never had an issue with them.
I've still got them packed away and keep promising myself that I'll get them set up again one day. In fact, now that I've heard this news I think I'm going to do just that!
Been using them for 20 yrs and still love my dance music although CDJ's like pioneer are good, it dosen't feel the same.Its not surprising the fact recors companies have virtually stopped producing any dance music on vinyl has led to many shops closing, and many DJ's switching to Cd players and just buying all their music online has left Technics with no market and no buyers.Bedroom dj's is a thing of the past and they where the ones that bought the vinyl.Now only the top DJ's get promotional records and over the last 10 yrs has seen many promotional companies disappear.
Truly excellent products. I've sold many SL-1200's.
Old is gold.
Rick @ Musicraft
ALI3N - I also discovered them via HTFR but bought them elsewhere as HTFR are generally pricey.
I noted that the price of the STR8-150's has also recently gone up so I guess other manufacturers may follows Panasonic/Technics decision to cease production.
I'll always love my vinyl though, and believe that one shouldn't simply follow where the path goes (i.e. CDJ's) but make your own path and leave a trail for others to follow.
Gold_Fingerz - agree with your thoughts on the Stanton STR8-150.
Discovered them thanks to HTFR. Excellent performance and value to boot.
Sorry, had to post again as I can't contain the frustration!
On a day when a legendary turntable begins its journey towards the end, and another company announces a USB cable that costs more, I think the Hi-Fi industry as a whole needs to seriously rethink its goals.
In all fairness it's about time they stopped production of these ancient relics!
There was a time that these were pretty much the ONLY decent DJ turntable that was readily available but as a vinyl enthusiast/DJ myself, I went for the far superior Stanton STR8-150's. Better build quality, many more features such as adjustable start/stop speed, instant reverse, digital out the list goes on.
The Technics SL1200 has simply remained dormant whilst other manufacturers have not only canught up but surpassed them. And for a couple of hundred quid cheaper I might add!!!
I don't believe it
A slice of solid engineering at a reasonable price is becoming extinct.
Whilst a multitude of components at ridiculously inflated prices prosper.