Great video thank you. Personally can't afford the top two Technics, but absolutely love my 1210GR2 with MoFi Master Tracker cartridge ... Technics and their direct drive are absolutely the best on the market, IMO! Thanks again, always enjoy your videos.
Thanks for making so many great videos on this turntable. As an owner of this model I never get tired of seeing all your excellent videos! Keep the videos coming as I find them very helpful in deciding my upgrades. ;)
Glad you liked it Edward. There is so much demand on this table and folks are so pationate about this brand that it makes it fun to develop and promote. More to come but first Im gonna do a review on a phono preamp and some more cartridges.
Love your content. I think I’ve narrowed my choices to Rega and Technics. If I go with Technics it will definitely be from you guys. New to vinyl and getting ready to upgrade from my Project Debut Carbon. Thx!
I appreciate the candor about "high end" audio and power cables. If you want to use the same cabling most pro recording and mastering studios use, I recommend Belden and Canare cables. Extremely reasonable pricing as compared to the more exotic consumer cables.
I've always been a van damme man myself... i don't really get into cable nonsense, and i like their sensible construction and build. In the UK van damme is pretty popular in pro use
It looks much better in my opinion. I never liked the DJ look, but love this wood plinth and the acrylic cover is beautiful as well. It looks like a high end turntable now and I know it already performs like one.
I really do like your no nonsense video on this turntable. The way you explain the cables. The products that are specially made for you for the turntable our exceptional from viewing it on your video I am going to take a view of your website. Seems to be expensive some of the special products that you had made but I am a strong believer of you get what you pay for strongly believe that thank you for your honesty and will be viewing your website soon.😊
Thank you for taking the time to explain your calibration service in more depth. It does make a big difference when you show the actual tools that most people will not have at home. I admit I am of the camp that good-quality cables are enough. However, you owe it to yourself to install good interconnects to manage such delicate signals from a high-quality turntable. In my case, I would not hesitate to purchase Kimber Kable Interconnects. I know they are pricey, but they will help preserve that signal as much as possible. I've had good experience with that brand, even on their more affordable series.
Glad you agree on the importance of a good interconnect for the turntable. Kimber does make lots of reasonably price cables that perform super well. We tend to use the TAK-CU which is phono specific with the upgraded WBT connectors. Cheers.
Thanks for your time making such an informative video. I'm soul searching between 1200gr, 1200gr2 and 1200g, and also navigating added extras like little fwend which I don't consider an upgrade but more a necessity. Nobody wants to be hovering over their vinyl record, waiting for it to finish, or leave it just to sit clicking away n the lead out groove. I also appreciate your honesty on the cables. For me, this wasn't a waste of time, but an education.
I have done upgrades on four Technics TTs - one MkII, One Mk5 and a pair of Mk5g. Here is my list of tweaks I would apply to the SL1200G. First. The feet. Vibration is absolutely everywhere. I am unimpressed with the feet on the G. A vast improvement over the prior series but still not optimal. A set of Maglev footers are just what the doctor ordered. Second. Tonearm cable. The signal is tiny and I agree, if there ever was a time to get a fancy cable it would be the tonearm cable. The one recommended appears the bee's knees. Nice connectors and well shielded. Third. Granite Slab. Again an anti-vibration measure. Mass is good. I had a 3 cm thick piece cut to measure by a company that supplied kitchen benches. A monumental mason could also assist. I paid about a hundred or so bucks. They look cool as well. Actually even better would be a slab of ebony, but good luck finding that! Even worse you may have to take out a second mortgage. Fourth. Record weight. In my opinion you should have two. The first is the Michel Clamp. This is a must for warped records. The other should be made of ebony. They are available on those mass retailers. (I had one custom made). Ebony (of Mpingo and a few others) is a fantastic material. Musical instruments are made from the stuff - think clarinets, oboes, black piano keys. The resonance is pleasing to the ear. Fifth. Headshell. Again, an ebony headshell. They are expensive as far as headshells go and the sound improvement is tiny. But the best judge of sound is the lone audiophile who is intimately familiar with his system. If you are one of those, and have good ears I believe you will notice a tiny organic improvement. More likely to notice if you change to an ebony record weight at the same time. Sixth. Mat. I probably would not bother but some mats just look cool. One thing to check out is the platter. Take it off and strike the edge with a spoon. If it rings like a gong then you would need a good mat such as the butyl mat made by Oyaide.
@SkyFiAudio before you open up that Little Fwend unit just know that I didn’t find it to work with my fluid damper. They want to occupy the same space. I like the practicality of the tonearm lifter but the fluid damper made a big difference so I didn’t mind having to give the other up. If you find out how to make both work together, please let us know!
Very exciting to see what Technics & AT have been up to lately. Its as much an audiophile treat as it is a DJ's perfect weapon of choice for scratching.
Those are some nice upgrades on your 1200g Fernando! If someone only wants one turntable for their setup, that has to be one of the best options available!
Such a gorgeous, precision, work of art. Funny, I've never been a fan of gold or brass but when it's used tastefully in conjunction with anything silver like aluminum or stainless like it is here it's stunning. Thanks so much for your videos; I hope you know how much we appreciate all the the time and work you put into them.
Nice video with some very cool products. I am not sure but if my memory is correct I believe the SL-1200GAE would be the 2nd from the top SL-1000 putting the SL-1200G in 3rd place due to a tone arm difference?
Even though I am an all digital guy at the moment I really enjoyed your video. Actually I look forward to all of your videos!! Keep up the great work😄👍
In the 1980s I was totally into hifi and had a favourite stereo store that I bought all my gear from. I have an electronics background/education so I always took what they said about upgrades with a grain of salt. Especially the nonsense about cables. One day they had a great new product to show me, a new speaker cable system for hundreds of dollars but when Dan said "skin effect" I laughed out loud. During the microwave communication module of my education we learned all about skin effect and did the math etc. I explained to Dan what skin effect was and how it worked and he assured me that the engineer at the trade show knew what he was talking about and that it was a real thing. Well, Dan was in business to make money and an audiophool and his money are soon parted. I stuck with the cheap stuff. Oh and thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I still have a soft spot in my head for hifi.
Some interesting stuff here... some of it thats a little to "tweaky" for me, and even by your own admission, some of it is borderline. I'm surprised to see such extensive tools needed for cart alignment, do technics not include the overhand gauge with the arm like they do on the lower end decks? I used it on my 1200GR2 and i found it was pretty much bang on... the only thing thats hard to get right by eye / ear, is the azimuth.
tonearm lifter is a genius idea so many times i have listened to a record and the fell asleep before the end and then wake up an hour or two later to the sound of crackling
Fall asleep with Sonic Youth's album Evol and you wake uo to the same note that has been playing for hours. It also tends to not trigger the auto return or in my case the auto shut off in the Philips 212 electric.
I really like Technics and it is interesting to see what they do today. And what can be done with them even if these players are outside my budget. But please, put the camera on a stand. The swaying and rolling shutter makes me seasick...
Other than calibrations using test records, my top recommendation is the Little Fwend Disco tonearm lifter. Install and adjust it while you are calm, sober, and well rested, and it will serve you well. It eventually gets into your muscle memory to reset it after every side has played, because if you don't .... Ahhhhhh!!
They are a bit finicky for sure. If you purchase one from us along with the turntable we will install and calibrate for you. I look to curtail my caffeine intake prior to working on them :-).
Another great 1200G video from SkyFi - just a delight 😊 What are the chances that You tried spinning the 1000R platter on the 1200G, if the screw holes fit kind of think that would be another great upgrade for the overall 1200G performance Let me know if you try that and it works Cheers
That wood base gives me strong echos of the United Audio bases for the 70s Dual tables. There are several guys out there doing custom plinths for those these days. Of course the Dual can't operate without one so as they age and degrade a demand exists.
*However, the only way to MAX OUT a 1200G is by upgrading the tonearm* Despite looking like just a random 1200 tonearm, the magnesium 1200G tonearm is way better than any other 1200 tonearm... but the turntable itself has even more potential. I've found that upgrading to an SME V didn't do much to the tonal balance, dynamic range or distortion levels, but it did improve the soundstage quite a bit! You should check out the 1200G armboards by Ammonite Audio, I'm using one and it looks like it came installed from the factory. Not just some punched out plate of sheetmetal, but a thick machined piece of aluminium that has been nicely anodized. They have predrilled ones for popular aftermarket toneams, blank boards and can also drill a board by sending them the specs. Ammonite Audio is British and I don't think they have a distributor for the US yet, so... maybe this an opportunity for you? 😉 They're definitely the best on the market for Technics armboards...
While I think the arm on the 1200G is fantastic I would love to do an arm swap at some point, mostly for fun. Thanks for the tip on where to get an arm board, will check it out.
@@SkyFiAudio yeah stock, the red one ... i'm not a technical person, wouldn't know how to change it, wouldn't know what else to get, kind of struggled to adjust the arm when i bought it so now that it works, i'll just let it work as it is :))))
This isn't the place for this but I don't care. I really need to talk so I've chosen here to do it. There is a point to me saying this, I'll save that for the end. I'm 39 years old. I started getting deep into hifi back in 2017 but I've been a serious audio fan my whole life. In 2021 I went to an ENT because my sinuses were bothering me. The Dr. wanted to do a sinuplasty which he assured me was a routine procedure they did on a weekly basis. They basically stick an elongated balloon through your sinus cavities and inflate it to open up the passages. I went in for the procedure and left feeling normal. Everything was swollen but after a few days I noticed I could hear myself breathing inside of my head, I could also hear my voice really loud inside of my head. I also noticed when I breathe, I could hear what sounded like air whooshing past my eardrum. It sounded exactly what wind hitting a microphone sounds like. But it was all internal. As the swelling went down more day after day it became more and more pronounced. After a week I was also feeling pressure changes when I would breathe. During inhale my eardrums would suck inward and exhale the would bulge outward. I was freaking out so I set up a follow up with the Dr. after explaining I could tell he was worried and basically said that something must have happened where they went down a wrong passage and may have accidentally dilated my Eustachian tubes. He prescribed me some drops that didn't make any difference. They wouldn't set up anymore appts with me after this. Our middle ear where the Eustachian tubes are located is a pressurized chamber. The ET stays in a closed state to keep the chamber pressurized, basically, its function is to match the ATM pressure outside our ear and keep that balance on the inner side of our eardrum. So basically, mine is always in an open state now. My throat, vocal cords, lungs, all have a direct connection unimpeded to the back side of my eardrum. I hear myself breathing, every breath, my eardrums literally inflate and deflate, every breath. The bones connected to my eardrum are now completely relaxed instead of being rigorously held in place with pressure. My eardrum is now also concave due to the ATM pressure which does a lot of funny things with sound waves hitting it. The constant forced movement of all these sensitive parts in my ear due to myself breathing puts a lot of stress on everything. Tinnitus started about two weeks after procedure and the worst thing started around the same time which is something called hyperacusis. They put too much pressure on my auditory nerve with the balloon and crushed both of them. Sounds start mechanically but by the time they hit our brain they are electrical. So crushing them nerves did some really bad stuff electrically to the impulses. Bass frequencies don't bother me but anything above 5khz really hurts my ears. Even low volumes sound extremely loud. For example, clapping my hands in front of my face now makes my ears ring. Silverware clanging on glass is the worst. I have to wear hearing protection at work now and nobody understands. I feel a deep despair because there's nothing anyone can do for me. There's no procedures to fix any of these problems. The opened Eustachian tube condition is called PET and the sensitivity to loudness is called hyperacusis. I remember feeling sorry for people with tinnitus. I never imagined this could happen to me but it did. And I just feel like I'm done with life. I don't wanna be here anymore but I can't do anything about it because I do believe in God. I just have to live. I wake up and the first thing I hear is the loud ringing. Me I mean it's loud. The ceiling fan doesn't mask it. This is tinnitus from damage to the nerve so it's a bit different. I used to associate music with a good time, fun, excitement, like heck yeah I'm about to enjoy myself and have a good time. And now since it's been 3 years since this happened. My brain automatically associates music with something that's uncomfortable, something that hurts, so I stray away from it. I've lost all sensitivity to dynamics, stereo imaging, layering, separation. Music just sounds so bland and boring. And the treble sounds so spiked it's just more annoying that anything. So I don't do it anymore. My point of saying all of this is to number 1 get it out of me so I can feel a bit better and number 2 to try and get others to not take their hearing/ears for granted. It is so special. And it's a really sensitive set of components we have. Appreciate tour ears. Yeah life can suck sometimes but ludicrous is always there to enhance life. I used to have to walk to work a mile there and back. But I don't care because I had my music. My girlfriend would break up with me but I didn't care cause I had my music. Nothing ever mattered too much because in the end, I had my music. Now I realize it wasn't music I had but ears. Take care of your ears people and thank God that you have them. We are always searching for the best of this and that in audio. But realize, we have the best ears that money can't buy that can even be able to perceive all the slight differences in audio quality. And that is the real special thing. Much love to all the people in these groups.
Has Technics approved of the walnut frame weight which may or may not be (but probably not) perfectly balanced, hanging off the deck and have you repeated your extensive distortion etc measurements with and without the frame?
@@SkyFiAudio I like the record weight. Have you thought about or are you working on an outer perimeter ring weight or would that be too difficult to do given the platers chamfer?
Hundreds? Lol, we can only get about 10 made each month or two. The raw materials to get the grain just right are super expensive. Wish it was cheaper too, I guess the cost of making things in the USA.
Would like to see them make this exact model but minus the DJ doodads, strobe and slider. Nicer than the 1300 that's just coming out but knock three of four hundred dollars off of it.
$500. Dollar head shell ? For a product that so called audiophiles wouldn’t touch years ago ! Too ghetto, too DJ , too Disco ? And now if you charge $5000. It’s cool ? All the newbies and well heeled can say , I’m not one of those people ? I’m a Audiophile? Radio stations , record shops , archives , and Real music people ! Know about these ? And trust me or not , but you don’t in no shape form or function do you need a $500. Head shell ! I can get original 1200s for that all day long ! Scam Alert ! Why must everything you people touch becomes a weapon or a profit ? If you can make a knife out of a drumstick you will ? If you can make it $5000. You will ? These things cost as much as you can get people to believe it should ! If I can get SL1200s for $500. And now their $4500. More than a original ? Does it keep speed $4500. Better ? I found a Sl 1400 in the trash ! Fixed it and some guy from Apple brought it…Immediately ! For $800. You’re killing your own hobby , by making it ridiculous and of no use to music ! If guitar cables cost as much as the instrument it would be doom ! If strings cost as much a guitar or a amplifier ? It’s the same with audio , hundreds of dollars cause somebody said your cables shouldn’t touch the floor ? I can spend $20. On capacitors and get results that thousand cables can’t ! The fact that you deal McIntosh you know real tech and not Rock Oil …
Technics are the JL Audio 13W7 of turntables. ...and by that, I mean it's decades old tech that never changes. It's top shelf pricing while more high tech, better looking options are available for far less money. ...but the fanbase loves the brand name, so they keep on keepin' on. Go ahead & tell me I'm wrong, even though I'm not. Technics' $1,200 turntable looks 1 to 1 identical to Technics' $4,000 turntable from 5 feet away...and both of those turntables contain features that 9 out of 10 of their owners will NEVER TOUCH. ...and while I know the $1,200 'table & $4,000 'table aren't made from the same materials, they do LOOK the same. That's not exactly "good" imho. Why would I want to spend 3.5x the $$$ for a product that looks EXACTLY THE SAME? How long have Technics been offering like 5 turntables & 4 of them look identical to one another? The only 'table they make that looks different is the one w/ the standalone PSU that costs like $10k. These 'tables are priced and marketed to "audiophiles"...but they're loaded with features that are completely useless to non-DJs. Why do we have to pay for pitch shifters and lights that we don't want, don't need and will never use? It has been DECADES. Why can't Technics remove these useless options that hurt the looks of their product while also making their product cost more $$$? EDIT: btw, I'm not trying to act like Technics' turntables are bad. I know they aren't. Reputation is earned and I get that. ...but, at the same time, it is completely possible for a brand to rest on their butt and coast along on their reputation. That is, beyond doubt, what Technics are doing with their turntable line. So, they are great turntables...but they are also overpriced and outdated turntables that contain many unnecessary and unwanted features. They don't ever update the look of them. These criticisms are factual and valid. All of them. Why can't this amazing brand try out something different? No one is saying they have to quit doing what brought them to the dance...but try something new once per decade at least. Keep churnin' out the greatest hits...but try to write a new one occasionally. Sheesh. ...and the Technics shown in this video costs THOUSANDS of dollars all said, with the accessories and tools shown. Those optical cartridges & phono preamps certainly aren't being given away. There wasn't a syllable mentioned regarding the price of anything in the video, as far as I can remember. There are literally craftsmen out here building custom bespoke turntables for substantially less money than this Technics would cost you. ...but, by all means...buy your JL Audio 13W7 today.
I hear you... Technics moves very very slowly as a company. They did just release the SL1300G which addresses many of you concerns. It looks different and does not have any of the DJ features you dislike. However, you cant argue with their success, they sell every table they make and there is often a waiting list for them. So... to me it sure looks like they know what they are doing.
@@SkyFiAudio Like I said. Reputation is earned. I ain't saying the product isn't good. I ain't saying they should stop doing what brought them to the dance. Just do something different/new once in a while. It's not that difficult. Even the new 'table you mentioned....looks just like everything else. It just doesn't have the pitch control slider & the light. Everything else is still the same. It's lazy, man. It just is.
Sure thing, I've seen it done. However the suspension on the 1200G isn't quite right for DJ's as it doesn't not have the same range or direction of motion.
Unfortunately I’m underwhelmed by my 1200G. I compare with ‘cheaper’ TTs and still not convinced what all that difference in price is doing. Hate the Stereophile review on this TT, so full of half truths!
Here's the probelm with this "upgrade culture" This product was engineered and DESIGNED for those specific parts. The moment you start "upgrading" and changing stuff, it no longer works as intended. You may think it's "better" but those engineers never accounted for you faffing about replacing parts on the thing, so 9 times out of 10 you end up with a worse product, and wasting a bunch of money thinking you're "upgrading" it. It's like people who buy a $25000 watch then "bust it down" and put gross cheap diamonds all over it COMPLETELY devaluing the timepiece. Things like turntables are designed to work AS THEY ARE because its tuned for those parts. EVERY resonance is accoutned for, every weight
Not so. Every product is designed to a price. There are always things the designer would have done differently with a larger budget and there is, also always a few more percent performance to be found
24 minutes of watching a beautiful piece of audio equipment. Not one second of my time was wasted.
Hey thats super nice of you to say!
Love to see you guys taking the time to show us non technical music lovers the upgrades we may not of know about.
Or probably may not ever need. Tinkering at your listening peril - unless it’s the tinkering that takes priority.
Great video thank you. Personally can't afford the top two Technics, but absolutely love my 1210GR2 with MoFi Master Tracker cartridge ... Technics and their direct drive are absolutely the best on the market, IMO! Thanks again, always enjoy your videos.
Good choice! With the proper cartridge the GR2 is a fantastic table.
Thanks for making so many great videos on this turntable. As an owner of this model I never get tired of seeing all your excellent videos! Keep the videos coming as I find them very helpful in deciding my upgrades. ;)
Glad you liked it Edward. There is so much demand on this table and folks are so pationate about this brand that it makes it fun to develop and promote. More to come but first Im gonna do a review on a phono preamp and some more cartridges.
Best videos on stereo gear on TH-cam, thanks Fernando!
Wow, thanks!
Love your videos, very educational and entertaining. Keep up the good work.
Hey, FZ! You're a dedicated audio professional...Awesome job!!
Thanks Tyrone! Thanks for watching and stay in touch.
Love your content. I think I’ve narrowed my choices to Rega and Technics. If I go with Technics it will definitely be from you guys. New to vinyl and getting ready to upgrade from my Project Debut Carbon. Thx!
I appreciate these videos. Thanks!
very cool that the calibration can be done with just the cart and headshell!
Sure makes our lives easy.
I appreciate the candor about "high end" audio and power cables. If you want to use the same cabling most pro recording and mastering studios use, I recommend Belden and Canare cables. Extremely reasonable pricing as compared to the more exotic consumer cables.
I've always been a van damme man myself... i don't really get into cable nonsense, and i like their sensible construction and build. In the UK van damme is pretty popular in pro use
It looks much better in my opinion. I never liked the DJ look, but love this wood plinth and the acrylic cover is beautiful as well. It looks like a high end turntable now and I know it already performs like one.
I really do like your no nonsense video on this turntable. The way you explain the cables. The products that are specially made for you for the turntable our exceptional from viewing it on your video I am going to take a view of your website. Seems to be expensive some of the special products that you had made but I am a strong believer of you get what you pay for strongly believe that thank you for your honesty and will be viewing your website soon.😊
Thank you for taking the time to explain your calibration service in more depth. It does make a big difference when you show the actual tools that most people will not have at home.
I admit I am of the camp that good-quality cables are enough. However, you owe it to yourself to install good interconnects to manage such delicate signals from a high-quality turntable. In my case, I would not hesitate to purchase Kimber Kable Interconnects. I know they are pricey, but they will help preserve that signal as much as possible. I've had good experience with that brand, even on their more affordable series.
Glad you agree on the importance of a good interconnect for the turntable. Kimber does make lots of reasonably price cables that perform super well. We tend to use the TAK-CU which is phono specific with the upgraded WBT connectors. Cheers.
Great to see so many new and useful products !!!
Thanks for your time making such an informative video.
I'm soul searching between 1200gr, 1200gr2 and 1200g, and also navigating added extras like little fwend which I don't consider an upgrade but more a necessity. Nobody wants to be hovering over their vinyl record, waiting for it to finish, or leave it just to sit clicking away n the lead out groove.
I also appreciate your honesty on the cables.
For me, this wasn't a waste of time, but an education.
I have done upgrades on four Technics TTs - one MkII, One Mk5 and a pair of Mk5g. Here is my list of tweaks I would apply to the SL1200G.
First. The feet. Vibration is absolutely everywhere. I am unimpressed with the feet on the G. A vast improvement over the prior series but still not optimal. A set of Maglev footers are just what the doctor ordered.
Second. Tonearm cable. The signal is tiny and I agree, if there ever was a time to get a fancy cable it would be the tonearm cable. The one recommended appears the bee's knees. Nice connectors and well shielded.
Third. Granite Slab. Again an anti-vibration measure. Mass is good. I had a 3 cm thick piece cut to measure by a company that supplied kitchen benches. A monumental mason could also assist. I paid about a hundred or so bucks. They look cool as well. Actually even better would be a slab of ebony, but good luck finding that! Even worse you may have to take out a second mortgage.
Fourth. Record weight. In my opinion you should have two. The first is the Michel Clamp. This is a must for warped records. The other should be made of ebony. They are available on those mass retailers. (I had one custom made). Ebony (of Mpingo and a few others) is a fantastic material. Musical instruments are made from the stuff - think clarinets, oboes, black piano keys. The resonance is pleasing to the ear.
Fifth. Headshell. Again, an ebony headshell. They are expensive as far as headshells go and the sound improvement is tiny. But the best judge of sound is the lone audiophile who is intimately familiar with his system. If you are one of those, and have good ears I believe you will notice a tiny organic improvement. More likely to notice if you change to an ebony record weight at the same time.
Sixth. Mat. I probably would not bother but some mats just look cool. One thing to check out is the platter. Take it off and strike the edge with a spoon. If it rings like a gong then you would need a good mat such as the butyl mat made by Oyaide.
Love these "deep dive" videos.
Especially for turntables and/or vintage SONY or Mac equipment.
Glad you like them!
Wish your shop was closer, love the videos!
@SkyFiAudio before you open up that Little Fwend unit just know that I didn’t find it to work with my fluid damper. They want to occupy the same space. I like the practicality of the tonearm lifter but the fluid damper made a big difference so I didn’t mind having to give the other up. If you find out how to make both work together, please let us know!
I love your approach to cables.
It's a bit risky for me since I sell cables, but hey, people ultimately appreciate honesty above all. I hope.
Very exciting to see what Technics & AT have been up to lately. Its as much an audiophile treat as it is a DJ's perfect weapon of choice for scratching.
Those are some nice upgrades on your 1200g Fernando! If someone only wants one turntable for their setup, that has to be one of the best options available!
Beautiful end result.
Very very nice review on amazing upgrades. Thank You Sir. Kindest regards.
Hey thanks mate. Glad you liked it.
Thank you for this great video. Love everything you are doing for Technics turntables.
You are so welcome!
Love your channel. You’re so knowledgeable about all the products you sell.
Thank you so much!
Always looking forward to your videos!
Can you please measure the pivot to spindle distance with the Dr. Feickert protractor? Thanks!
Super cool! 👍👌💪
Such a gorgeous, precision, work of art. Funny, I've never been a fan of gold or brass but when it's used tastefully in conjunction with anything silver like aluminum or stainless like it is here it's stunning. Thanks so much for your videos; I hope you know how much we appreciate all the the time and work you put into them.
Thank you very much! It's a lot of fun working with Technics products and so satisfying.
Nice video with some very cool products. I am not sure but if my memory is correct I believe the SL-1200GAE would be the 2nd from the top SL-1000 putting the SL-1200G in 3rd place due to a tone arm difference?
Even though I am an all digital guy at the moment I really enjoyed your video.
Actually I look forward to all of your videos!!
Keep up the great work😄👍
Awesome! Thank you! More analogue videos to come. Is there something in particular you would like me to explore?
I've been running VPI's for past 12 years or so but considering a technics. The walnut plinth offering is super nice!
Beautiful !!!
Love your videos guys. I have my 1200G coming next week :)
Great news, how did you configure it?
great video. you may want to consider the KAB tone arm responance cap. One of the best inexpensive upgrades for under 10 bucks.
Thanks for the tip! Dont know much about it. I’m on it!!!
Love the videos mate. Watching from Melbourne Australia
Love all your videos
Yes, great vids.
Thanks for watch sir. LMK if there is anything you’d like to see next.
@@SkyFiAudio
Any tips re best phono stage for 12OO G ? Married to MA352 and Klipsch Heresy IV.
Two questions..
Will the plinth work with the sl 1300g?
Also.. have you ever used the nagaoka mp-200 on a technics?
Nice...will want some of these add-ons when my 1300 comes in.
Thanks for your patience. We’re about a month away from getting the first batch.
In the 1980s I was totally into hifi and had a favourite stereo store that I bought all my gear from. I have an electronics background/education so I always took what they said about upgrades with a grain of salt. Especially the nonsense about cables. One day they had a great new product to show me, a new speaker cable system for hundreds of dollars but when Dan said "skin effect" I laughed out loud. During the microwave communication module of my education we learned all about skin effect and did the math etc. I explained to Dan what skin effect was and how it worked and he assured me that the engineer at the trade show knew what he was talking about and that it was a real thing. Well, Dan was in business to make money and an audiophool and his money are soon parted. I stuck with the cheap stuff. Oh and thanks for taking the time to make these videos. I still have a soft spot in my head for hifi.
Audiophool, that a great story, thanks for sharing Don. hahahah.
Yet another great video !
Thank you so much
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you, Fernando. That mat looks good with the holes, so to highlight the brass top plate . I have the G i use a 6mm mat from a MK2 .
Glad you like it. Any other feedback would be appreciated. I really like the OEM mat so trying to modify it rather than change it.
Some interesting stuff here... some of it thats a little to "tweaky" for me, and even by your own admission, some of it is borderline.
I'm surprised to see such extensive tools needed for cart alignment, do technics not include the overhand gauge with the arm like they do on the lower end decks?
I used it on my 1200GR2 and i found it was pretty much bang on... the only thing thats hard to get right by eye / ear, is the azimuth.
Recent subscriber & have been enjoying your videos, especially the one on the klipsch speakers - what phono preamps do you recommend?
My budget fav is the Project Tube Box DS3, then the Mofi Masterphono.
Can you show how to use a test lp and the scope to set azimuth?
tonearm lifter is a genius idea so many times i have listened to a record and the fell asleep before the end and then wake up an hour or two later to the sound of crackling
lol, I do it all the time. While it doest wear the cartridge much it sure doesn't feel right.
Fall asleep with Sonic Youth's album Evol and you wake uo to the same note that has been playing for hours. It also tends to not trigger the auto return or in my case the auto shut off in the Philips 212 electric.
I really like Technics and it is interesting to see what they do today. And what can be done with them even if these players are outside my budget.
But please, put the camera on a stand. The swaying and rolling shutter makes me seasick...
So sorry about the camera, I just ordered a mount, will do better on the next one.
Other than calibrations using test records, my top recommendation is the Little Fwend Disco tonearm lifter. Install and adjust it while you are calm, sober, and well rested, and it will serve you well. It eventually gets into your muscle memory to reset it after every side has played, because if you don't .... Ahhhhhh!!
They are a bit finicky for sure. If you purchase one from us along with the turntable we will install and calibrate for you. I look to curtail my caffeine intake prior to working on them :-).
Another great 1200G video from SkyFi - just a delight 😊
What are the chances that You tried spinning the 1000R platter on the 1200G, if the screw holes fit kind of think that would be another great upgrade for the overall 1200G performance
Let me know if you try that and it works
Cheers
That wood base gives me strong echos of the United Audio bases for the 70s Dual tables. There are several guys out there doing custom plinths for those these days. Of course the Dual can't operate without one so as they age and degrade a demand exists.
Your videos are very helpful in my decision on technics thank you
glad to help eward. Feel free to ring me if you need more answers or guidance.
With all that setup headache and outcome uncertainty, I see why SACD/CD's are still with us......load it in the drawer and press play.
No fun in that!😂
I love your work!
Any opinions on the Funk Firm accessories for the 1200 series? Houdini, Boing feet, Cobra Headshell etc.
I would not mess with the feet on the G. They are finely tuned.
My question is are the records as good as this table...?
How much for the wood plenith
I have an SL-1600. How does that compare to SL-1200 OR sl-1400?
Hi there do you deliver to the UK?
*However, the only way to MAX OUT a 1200G is by upgrading the tonearm*
Despite looking like just a random 1200 tonearm, the magnesium 1200G tonearm is way better than any other 1200 tonearm... but the turntable itself has even more potential.
I've found that upgrading to an SME V didn't do much to the tonal balance, dynamic range or distortion levels, but it did improve the soundstage quite a bit!
You should check out the 1200G armboards by Ammonite Audio, I'm using one and it looks like it came installed from the factory.
Not just some punched out plate of sheetmetal, but a thick machined piece of aluminium that has been nicely anodized.
They have predrilled ones for popular aftermarket toneams, blank boards and can also drill a board by sending them the specs.
Ammonite Audio is British and I don't think they have a distributor for the US yet, so... maybe this an opportunity for you? 😉
They're definitely the best on the market for Technics armboards...
While I think the arm on the 1200G is fantastic I would love to do an arm swap at some point, mostly for fun. Thanks for the tip on where to get an arm board, will check it out.
Love that plinth!
Glad you do. It was fun to design. Working on a black version too. Any other suggestions would be welcomed.
I plan on purchasing either the 1200 or 1300 in the near future.. I will definitely reach out to you.
Please do! We put a lot of care into these tables.
Such a beautiful table, wish it was in my house.
we can make that happen!
@@SkyFiAudio When I win the lotto!!
I’m thinking about getting a SL-1200 model but I can’t make up my mind on the silver or black.
hey tough choice, I went back and forth before landing on silver, which I chose because it matches my Nagra gear. Glad there are only two choices :-)
the 1200G2 is coming out next year so I'm waiting for that
Are you spreading rumors? Do tell!
@@SkyFiAudioI've scoured the net , there is no talk of a technics sl 1200g2.
Great stuff , i ll dress my sl 1200 like yours !!! , can i buy the diferent items here in France and you ll send it to my place , thanks a lot
i got a 1500c, dont care about higher end stuff, but enjoy your vids
Yes, the 1509C very nice indeed. Nevertheless, the 1200G sure is one great upgrade. Beautiful too.
Oops. 1500C !
Are you using the stock cartridge? Thats really the only weak point on the C.
@@SkyFiAudio yeah stock, the red one ... i'm not a technical person, wouldn't know how to change it, wouldn't know what else to get, kind of struggled to adjust the arm when i bought it so now that it works, i'll just let it work as it is :))))
@@SkyFiAudio
Agree. Upgraded to the blue.
No regrets.
Aiming for the 1200 G - when $circumstances allow :))
Would love to own a G; thanks for the videos!
Well now you have two choices, the 1300G and 1200G. Thanks for commenting.
Love this
looks beautiful with the walnut plinth i live in the uk do you ship to the uk? and if so what is the cost of the plinth ?
checkout our website. skyfiaudio.com
No problem shipping to the UK. Also consider the matching acrylic cover. Cheers.
@@SkyFiAudio great do they fit the mk2 sl1210 also . what is the price for 2 including shipping to the uk please
real product real facts
Thanks mate, lots of BS in this hobby, trying to cut through it all.
subplatter on a DD turntable?
I was referring to the platter underneath the brass top platter. Cheers.
This isn't the place for this but I don't care. I really need to talk so I've chosen here to do it. There is a point to me saying this, I'll save that for the end. I'm 39 years old. I started getting deep into hifi back in 2017 but I've been a serious audio fan my whole life. In 2021 I went to an ENT because my sinuses were bothering me. The Dr. wanted to do a sinuplasty which he assured me was a routine procedure they did on a weekly basis. They basically stick an elongated balloon through your sinus cavities and inflate it to open up the passages. I went in for the procedure and left feeling normal. Everything was swollen but after a few days I noticed I could hear myself breathing inside of my head, I could also hear my voice really loud inside of my head. I also noticed when I breathe, I could hear what sounded like air whooshing past my eardrum. It sounded exactly what wind hitting a microphone sounds like. But it was all internal. As the swelling went down more day after day it became more and more pronounced. After a week I was also feeling pressure changes when I would breathe. During inhale my eardrums would suck inward and exhale the would bulge outward. I was freaking out so I set up a follow up with the Dr. after explaining I could tell he was worried and basically said that something must have happened where they went down a wrong passage and may have accidentally dilated my Eustachian tubes. He prescribed me some drops that didn't make any difference. They wouldn't set up anymore appts with me after this. Our middle ear where the Eustachian tubes are located is a pressurized chamber. The ET stays in a closed state to keep the chamber pressurized, basically, its function is to match the ATM pressure outside our ear and keep that balance on the inner side of our eardrum. So basically, mine is always in an open state now. My throat, vocal cords, lungs, all have a direct connection unimpeded to the back side of my eardrum. I hear myself breathing, every breath, my eardrums literally inflate and deflate, every breath. The bones connected to my eardrum are now completely relaxed instead of being rigorously held in place with pressure. My eardrum is now also concave due to the ATM pressure which does a lot of funny things with sound waves hitting it. The constant forced movement of all these sensitive parts in my ear due to myself breathing puts a lot of stress on everything. Tinnitus started about two weeks after procedure and the worst thing started around the same time which is something called hyperacusis. They put too much pressure on my auditory nerve with the balloon and crushed both of them. Sounds start mechanically but by the time they hit our brain they are electrical. So crushing them nerves did some really bad stuff electrically to the impulses. Bass frequencies don't bother me but anything above 5khz really hurts my ears. Even low volumes sound extremely loud. For example, clapping my hands in front of my face now makes my ears ring. Silverware clanging on glass is the worst. I have to wear hearing protection at work now and nobody understands. I feel a deep despair because there's nothing anyone can do for me. There's no procedures to fix any of these problems. The opened Eustachian tube condition is called PET and the sensitivity to loudness is called hyperacusis. I remember feeling sorry for people with tinnitus. I never imagined this could happen to me but it did. And I just feel like I'm done with life. I don't wanna be here anymore but I can't do anything about it because I do believe in God. I just have to live. I wake up and the first thing I hear is the loud ringing. Me I mean it's loud. The ceiling fan doesn't mask it. This is tinnitus from damage to the nerve so it's a bit different. I used to associate music with a good time, fun, excitement, like heck yeah I'm about to enjoy myself and have a good time. And now since it's been 3 years since this happened. My brain automatically associates music with something that's uncomfortable, something that hurts, so I stray away from it. I've lost all sensitivity to dynamics, stereo imaging, layering, separation. Music just sounds so bland and boring. And the treble sounds so spiked it's just more annoying that anything. So I don't do it anymore. My point of saying all of this is to number 1 get it out of me so I can feel a bit better and number 2 to try and get others to not take their hearing/ears for granted. It is so special. And it's a really sensitive set of components we have. Appreciate tour ears. Yeah life can suck sometimes but ludicrous is always there to enhance life. I used to have to walk to work a mile there and back. But I don't care because I had my music. My girlfriend would break up with me but I didn't care cause I had my music. Nothing ever mattered too much because in the end, I had my music. Now I realize it wasn't music I had but ears. Take care of your ears people and thank God that you have them. We are always searching for the best of this and that in audio. But realize, we have the best ears that money can't buy that can even be able to perceive all the slight differences in audio quality. And that is the real special thing. Much love to all the people in these groups.
Sickening video nice work bruhsef this slap bruh
Appreciate it.. I think...
Has Technics approved of the walnut frame weight which may or may not be (but probably not) perfectly balanced, hanging off the deck and have you repeated your extensive distortion etc measurements with and without the frame?
I have and could not detect any measurable difference. Even tried with the record weight too. Thanks for pointing out.
@@SkyFiAudio I like the record weight. Have you thought about or are you working on an outer perimeter ring weight or would that be too difficult to do given the platers chamfer?
With those 8 holes in the slipmat you get a bass drop 264 times per minute. 😜🤣
Even more at 45 RPM!! 😊
@SkyFiAudio what about 78 RPM? If there is any bass on these records. 😜🤣
That Walnut plinth and clear perspex cover are 1st rate, aesthetically pleasing additions.
Wow! $795 for the walnut turntable frame. If you dropped the price to a reasonable $400 you would sell hundreds. And still make a healthy profit. Imo
Hundreds? Lol, we can only get about 10 made each month or two. The raw materials to get the grain just right are super expensive. Wish it was cheaper too, I guess the cost of making things in the USA.
Would like to see them make this exact model but minus the DJ doodads, strobe and slider. Nicer than the 1300 that's just coming out but knock three of four hundred dollars off of it.
That would be cool! I’m hoping for a model between the 1200G and the 1000R.
good video
Thanks for the visit
Turning a Technics to a transcriptors-hydraulic-reference
Indeed.
just get a mk2 to mk5 in good condition...
If the budget doesn't allow the MK2 is a fabulous choice, much better than most belt driver tables.
$500. Dollar head shell ? For a product that so called audiophiles wouldn’t touch years ago ! Too ghetto, too DJ , too Disco ? And now if you charge $5000. It’s cool ? All the newbies and well heeled can say , I’m not one of those people ? I’m a Audiophile?
Radio stations , record shops , archives , and Real music people ! Know about these ?
And trust me or not , but you don’t in no shape form or function do you need a $500. Head shell ! I can get original 1200s for that all day long ! Scam Alert ! Why must everything you people touch becomes a weapon or a profit ? If you can make a knife out of a drumstick you will ? If you can make it $5000. You will ? These things cost as much as you can get people to believe it should !
If I can get SL1200s for $500. And now their $4500. More than a original ? Does it keep speed $4500. Better ? I found a Sl 1400 in the trash ! Fixed it and some guy from Apple brought it…Immediately ! For $800. You’re killing your own hobby , by making it ridiculous and of no use to music ! If guitar cables cost as much as the instrument it would be doom ! If strings cost as much a guitar or a amplifier ? It’s the same with audio , hundreds of dollars cause somebody said your cables shouldn’t touch the floor ?
I can spend $20. On capacitors and get results that thousand cables can’t ! The fact that you deal McIntosh you know real tech and not Rock Oil …
Technics are the JL Audio 13W7 of turntables. ...and by that, I mean it's decades old tech that never changes. It's top shelf pricing while more high tech, better looking options are available for far less money. ...but the fanbase loves the brand name, so they keep on keepin' on.
Go ahead & tell me I'm wrong, even though I'm not. Technics' $1,200 turntable looks 1 to 1 identical to Technics' $4,000 turntable from 5 feet away...and both of those turntables contain features that 9 out of 10 of their owners will NEVER TOUCH. ...and while I know the $1,200 'table & $4,000 'table aren't made from the same materials, they do LOOK the same. That's not exactly "good" imho. Why would I want to spend 3.5x the $$$ for a product that looks EXACTLY THE SAME? How long have Technics been offering like 5 turntables & 4 of them look identical to one another? The only 'table they make that looks different is the one w/ the standalone PSU that costs like $10k.
These 'tables are priced and marketed to "audiophiles"...but they're loaded with features that are completely useless to non-DJs. Why do we have to pay for pitch shifters and lights that we don't want, don't need and will never use? It has been DECADES. Why can't Technics remove these useless options that hurt the looks of their product while also making their product cost more $$$?
EDIT: btw, I'm not trying to act like Technics' turntables are bad. I know they aren't. Reputation is earned and I get that. ...but, at the same time, it is completely possible for a brand to rest on their butt and coast along on their reputation. That is, beyond doubt, what Technics are doing with their turntable line. So, they are great turntables...but they are also overpriced and outdated turntables that contain many unnecessary and unwanted features. They don't ever update the look of them. These criticisms are factual and valid. All of them. Why can't this amazing brand try out something different? No one is saying they have to quit doing what brought them to the dance...but try something new once per decade at least. Keep churnin' out the greatest hits...but try to write a new one occasionally. Sheesh.
...and the Technics shown in this video costs THOUSANDS of dollars all said, with the accessories and tools shown. Those optical cartridges & phono preamps certainly aren't being given away. There wasn't a syllable mentioned regarding the price of anything in the video, as far as I can remember. There are literally craftsmen out here building custom bespoke turntables for substantially less money than this Technics would cost you. ...but, by all means...buy your JL Audio 13W7 today.
I hear you... Technics moves very very slowly as a company. They did just release the SL1300G which addresses many of you concerns. It looks different and does not have any of the DJ features you dislike. However, you cant argue with their success, they sell every table they make and there is often a waiting list for them. So... to me it sure looks like they know what they are doing.
@@SkyFiAudio Like I said. Reputation is earned. I ain't saying the product isn't good. I ain't saying they should stop doing what brought them to the dance.
Just do something different/new once in a while. It's not that difficult.
Even the new 'table you mentioned....looks just like everything else. It just doesn't have the pitch control slider & the light. Everything else is still the same.
It's lazy, man. It just is.
I wonder if anyone dis on a pair of these beauties
Sure thing, I've seen it done. However the suspension on the 1200G isn't quite right for DJ's as it doesn't not have the same range or direction of motion.
Fwend over damper for me
Everyone can use more fwends 😂
Time out way to much stuff and work to go analog.
Unfortunately I’m underwhelmed by my 1200G. I compare with ‘cheaper’ TTs and still not convinced what all that difference in price is doing. Hate the Stereophile review on this TT, so full of half truths!
Here's the probelm with this "upgrade culture" This product was engineered and DESIGNED for those specific parts. The moment you start "upgrading" and changing stuff, it no longer works as intended. You may think it's "better" but those engineers never accounted for you faffing about replacing parts on the thing, so 9 times out of 10 you end up with a worse product, and wasting a bunch of money thinking you're "upgrading" it. It's like people who buy a $25000 watch then "bust it down" and put gross cheap diamonds all over it COMPLETELY devaluing the timepiece. Things like turntables are designed to work AS THEY ARE because its tuned for those parts. EVERY resonance is accoutned for, every weight
A bust down Technics.. now that’s a great idea. Ordering the 10,000 diamonds now. 😂
If you dont like tweaks , find another place to you and your ears.
Tweaking is a fun part of this fine hobby.
@janskovgaard8906, is he not allowed to share an opinion that doesn’t praise the content creator?
@@volpedo2000what’s the point of grown ass men complain about a free TH-cam video? Unless this person is 13 yrs old this comment is just boring.
Not so. Every product is designed to a price. There are always things the designer would have done differently with a larger budget and there is, also always a few more percent performance to be found
Denon DL-110 loaded 1200 GR for chillin', 1200 mk5 x 2 /Allen & Heath XONE 62 mixer for DJ duty in the house!🎉 P.S., I ❤ TONE CONTROL!😲