"Just last year, Technics announced - well when I say announced I mean forced to admit rather than officially state - that the 1200 range was being rationalised, to leave the MK2 as the base model and the MK5G as the top end bells, whistles and everything model. Bye bye MK5, though having said that the MK5 is still listed on all dealer sites, unless of course the current famine is a symptom of the phasing out. With no time scale given by Panasonic, it's hard to know exactly when the MK5 is going really."

as said here if i'm not mistaken, only the mk5 will be gone right?

as long as i can still buy mkII's or m5g's then what's the big deal? did i read this wrong? they're dropping off one of their models not all of them.

nm i'm dumb. mkII's too.

Pick a new industry standard.


A different TT or will you finally pass on the 1970's technology and move on to something else?

Well, there's an MK6 that's coming...

only in Japan...


I'm safe on my M5G's for now.... my trusty 1200's MKII's from 1992 are still operational. :)

If you say Stanton I'm gonna smack you! ;-)

farm2.static.flickr.com

LOL!!!

scratchlive.net

Thats not a solution, thats a workaround for me.

elaboration is required

only thing close to a tech is a TTX but ill pay the difference for the MG5's...
panasonic is really silly for doing this. Timecoded records brought the tables back... they practically have all of the market wtf..

sadly, one of my decks is in the shop now, waiting on some ICs to magically turn up :(

I know my M5G's will last for a long time.

My MKII's still work like a charm.

I will not support Numark. There will still be lots of used techs for sale your years on out.

My deck was the M5G! and two of the ICs failed :(

19 and 21 year old 1200s on my setup and still going strong.

Even if they discontinue them, there are still millions out there used and I'm sure even new ones that never sold.

First the Fat Boys break up and now this

luuk ons page after page 68, they's cumming out (no closit) with new TT for pron indastree...


































keeps luukings....





















waits....






















allmust they're.......
























hellows .....















Tech 1269's

For some reason I find it really hard to believe that Panasonic is going to let the Techs die.

In reality how many new turntables do you think they sell compared to there other products? Also how many do you think are already on the market getting resold day in day out. They're not DJ's, they're a business trying to make $$$.

when was the last time you bought a Panasonic product?

that sucks i just bought a used mk2

Panasonic makes some great consumer and commercial electronic products. They make one of the best plasma displays on the market. However, Niro is right, pro audio is not their niche, and since purchasing Technics, they've been slowly killing the Technics brand name. I think the only thing with a Technics name on it today are their DJ stuff, which probably isn't doing so well these days.

... so it raises the question... which spare parts should us DJ's be stocking up on? I've got MkII's... what is most likely to go bad that I should buy parts for while I still can?

And how long do you think it'll be (if it happens at all) before some company picks up the market by producing replacement 1200 parts? Some company is bound to realize how profitable it would be...

I bought some batteries from big lots just last week. :-)

Tone Arms, Pitch Contol, and maybe motors.



^^^^Exactly!

No worries people.

You buy them all the time, not in brand name but in the Panasonic / Matsushita R&D and technology in every day items.

Why can't people see beyond the 'brand name'.

butteries for youre's tunetable? or playsure tois?

I dun thunk the butteries fore he's tunetable, butteries fore he's playsure tois moset lickley. Maybee bute pluck or dildal, durtey mon his is.

De Cicloine

Oh dear. Was thinking about but but now it's definately time to pony up and get the M5G's

Do you purposely type in gibberish as a joke or do you actually think you're forming coherent words and sentences?

Obviously hes being completely serious, come on.

I can haz humer senzez pls thx

what's the update on this? i'm looking to buy a pair a turntables. I kinda did not understand which ones are being discontinued. Is it the MK2 or the MK5 or the M5G?

Be nice to him. He's retarded.

oh...this isnt good... :(

How did I miss this the first time around?

Off to ebay...

OMG TECHNICS 1200'S COLLECTORS ITEM DISCONTINUED RARE $1,000,000 OPENING BID L@@K!!!1

No need to panic. These decks are, and have been, the defacto standard for like three decades. Parts will be available for them for at least 10 more years. Nothing to worry about.

there is no way that no company would not produce the party and or just take over for Pan when it comes to something like this Techs are not going anywhere don't worry they will be around for ALOT Longer !!!!

if you do your reserch..they have already discontinued parts for them..and no they dont have 10 years worth of parts. why you think everyone is going mk5 & standerd og 1200's for.. :)

sorry i should clarify..not the mk5 peole are now buying the m5g's blah..typo..

As far as the basic electronics go it's not as if Techs are made with some strange alien technology that can only be found in the basement laboratory at Panasonic. Resistors, IC's, Caps, can all be found with a little internet research. Now a busted tone arm....

I bought MK2 1200 NEW on Jan 2009. o_o

Have you guys noticed Techs are more expensive than some years ago ($50-100 more)?

global turntable shortage.

the wholesale price is up $150

hating this right now. The best bet is to buy them from someone who has been sitting on stock

they have been discontinuing 1200's for 10 years now..... i guess its magic that they are still new in stores....

Anyone know where I can get a set of m5g's for a good price? Everything seems mad expensive right now...

u're 2 weeks too late. guitar center had the best deal for the labor day sale.

shit! Just when I get some cash rollin I miss the sale.

Read on another forum:

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

what's going to happen next?



Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck
Rane deck

This has ruined my day....very sad news!!

now I want 2 in every model.

:-(

I wish a company with deep pockets would buy the brand off a panasonic, there is so much history behined them it just seems wrong to let it go out like that. Hiphop as a whole Should look at their history and you would see the 1200 at every step!!! It's bigger than just some old dj gear!!

Ever notice how these rumors never actually have the actual 'announcement' from Panasonic? I've been hearing this (in all it's multiple variations) for many, many years. Would it be in the realm of possibility? Of course... the 1200 wasn't the first turntable from Technics and one would expect to eventually see it retired in favor of a more modern model.

Untill its actually announced by panasonic im not worried, but still fuck a cdj

2x 1210's both 20yrs 'new' never had a problem touch wood. (hand on head)

They are pulling the Stride gum approach... 1200's are so reliable that people never need to purchase new ones...


Watchwww.youtube.com

(Replace the word "stride gum" with "technic 1200s")

Hell yes!!!

Ending the 1200 is like saying, the world is gonna end in 2012. :P

No need to be said:

Mk5, M5G and MKII remain on the market....

Dont' worry...

www.panasonic.com

and really not a lot of difference (i dont find anyone!)

www.panasonic.com

it is...

i'd be happy if only the MK5G was sold and everything else discontinued, lower the price of the 5G to mk2 levels.

Technics 1200 was supposed to be the premium technics turntable, so why not take it back to what it was supposed to be

Personally I preferr MK5 to M5G (i dont like glossy style and blue led)...but anyway no difference..the same turntable.
Could also be that it is only a market strategy...but on the other hand all technics turtable are the same (i mean MkII Mk5 M5G etcc..)

No the mk5g are digital in the slider (so i believe)

When Technics was a highly sought after brand with a wide range of quality hifi products, it was easier for Panasonic to make money from the Technics name. But those days are long past. Technics is reduced to the 1200 and 1210 and a very small range of extremely average ultra low volume product.

With turntables selling a fraction of what they did 5 year ago, and Panasonic bleeding money across the board, it's must be a simple business decision to shut down the brand.

Regardless of what we might feel about the iconic status of the 1200, it's nothing more than negative numbers on a decidedly poor balance sheet to Panasonic.

On the bright side, knowing that new Technics will be no more, you'll be able to experience the joy that other brands have to offer. With the Technics blinkers off, you may well be surprised.

I have Technics tower speakers in my room. I found them at a good will for $12. I thought they may be busted when I saw them. They looked good, a few scratches here and there, so I took the risk and bought them & they sound great. I looked them up on line and they use to retail for around $300 and I got a pair for &12. Ive had those speakers for a few years now, in fact, I got them before I was a DJ and had the turntables. I know it has nothing much to do with the turntables but I thought it was worth sharing.

I was hoping it was bullshit but its true....

Panasonic spokesman Ian North said in a press release, “It is a sad day today, but due to low sales globally in analogue turntables a decision to stop production has been made on Technics Turntables.”
 
They’ve sold over 3 million units since launching in 1972 and revolutionising the art of DJing. Production will halt in February 2010, so if you want a fresh pair, get’em in now

It seems like the Technics brand is too valuable to lose.. I mean, how often do you see a tee-shirt with the image of a 1200 in a store? I see them all the time. Hip hop culture is so deeply fused with Technics... Disco owes a lot to Technics... Serato owes the world to Technics, look at their logo... where do you think they got the idea for that?

Is this a case of Technics not generating enough money, or is this a case of Panasonic not understanding how valuable the brand Technics really is?

An also, I've read the Ian North quote today too, but I've yet to see it in a repuatble website. This tread was started in May 2008, for goodness sakes. Lets hope it's wrong.

I'll say it again... nobody - and I do mean nobody - can produce a sourced piece of information. There is talk about a 'press release' but nobody has actually seen this official statement. Could it be true, of course. But I'd really be a tad bit skeptical until I see something that really comes from the officials in charge. Yeah, I see the above quote attributed to Ian North... it's all over blogs and DJing forums. They've just been doing a simple copy-n-paste of it without linking back to the original 'source'. I could even make up my own quote from the spokesman - Peter North, spokesman for Panasonic, said "We've decided to end production of the Technics turntable to instead focus on producing a very flavorful bacon salad dressing for the world market." Anyone believe that? Could it be true... possibly - we have a quote!

somebody better be making a decent direct drive controller soon - i'm not switching to no non-moving platter bullshit...

(Rane TT)

Im just throwing it out there, but the Numark (yes Numark) TTx series turntable is really reliable and the pick up is real nice...the only issue Ive ever had was with vibration jumping the very light tonearm due to bass hits...

*hears land crumbling* .....shit!

Hip Hop dies in 2010. :O

I own TTXs too btw.

maybe RAne and Serato should buy the technics brand off panasonic!

Lots of copying and pasting, but I can't find anything concrete that validates any of this.

I think Rane should do something about it. Technics Turntable has it's name written in every Dance History for the past 35 years now. A brand that has been loved and cherished by Djs and Audiophiles.

Yeah why doesn't somebody else buy them out and keep makein them.

Because buying a brand name that dosent produce justifiable profits because of name nestalsia isn't a good busniess decession

Well DJ's anyway... not audiophiles - they'll consider a 1200 to be acceptable as a 'low-budget' turntable only if you replace the tonearm, wiring, and power supply (which would set you back at least $600+ US dollars... this doesn't include the initial cost of the turntable itself).

www.skratchworx.com

The reason why Panasonic can't sell any tables is because there is a surplus of good used tables that gets recycled through out the DJ community. Basic supply and demand: the market has too many good used units floating around and there is little demand for new ones. The fact that they are built like a tank doesn't help Panasonic sell new units, - a well maintained used unit is as good as a brand new one.

Also look at the product. It's a analog turntable. There's only so much you can do with it. It's funny how everyone wants there to be crazy new features on it, radical redesign, flashier looking etc. But that's not how the Japanese design their products. . They have a mentality, almost a philosophy if you will, that simpler is better. In most cases it helps improve reliability. Probably the reason why some of you have tables that have lasted 20-30 years. Serato helped extend the production life of Technics. I'm sure if Serato or any DVS wasn't around, there wouldn't be as many DJs in the game today, meaning less new Technics sold.

Sounds like Serato ;)

I think that's why the world loves technics so much.... No bullshit, no glam just a great turntable that put all others to shame without even trying!! Serato is the same, less is more!!

I plan on buying the M5G eventually. That digital pitch fader is better than the old crappy pitch fader from the Mk2s.

Panasonic is a great company, but the Technics wasn't making them money. They sell big on their toughbooks (Laptops used by the army, EMS, Police Departments, and big engineering companies), TV's, and there phones. I am just so sad that they are deciding to quit making technics at one of my broke moments. I wanted to get some M5G. Hope I get some enough money before I can't the last pair is sold!!! Looks like I am about to stock up on spare parts!!!

Actually you need four. Two to use and another mint pair for collection purpose!

you're right!

www.skratchworx.com Ahem...

Do people not look at the dates on these stories? That's 3 years old and being quoted as current news.

The irony is this - that story contains a direct quote from Panasonic UK about rationalising the range. But it never actually happened. You can still get the regular MK5s 3 years on. This is why I'm treating the current rumour with some scepticism.

I am not believing anything until I hear the official Skratchword ;-)

In the meantime I will continue my plan to have 4 of every model by Feb 2010.


LOVE LIVE 1200s!!!!!!

/edit

LONG LIVE 1200s!!!!!

Where's the press release?

its all crap its just the mk5 being stopped the mk 2 and mk5g will still run as bottom of range and top of range respectively

They said that 3 years ago here: www.skratchworx.com

...but it never happened.

I'm getting a lot of confusion on the wire. I'm not going to state anything until I hear it directly from Panasonic themselves as to exactly what - if anything - is happening on a global scale.

has no one else noticed that all these claims are originating mostly from small retail shops around the holiday season??? no word of this from panasonic first and foremost that anyone can prove... and where is this quote from gc or sam ash or any other of the major retailers.... besides ford still sells the crown victoria after all these years and the only people that buy em are old as fuck... or police departments and there's lots of stiff competition from dodge and chevy for police cruisers yet they still sell the damn things.... the 1200's arent going anywhere....

Come on guys give it a rest, it is only a rumor. I remember back in 1989, I was at the local store buying a set of Mk2's and the salesman there was trying to bullshit me and my brother how Technics was about to break the mold and discontinue these turntables. 20 years later we still hearing this crap all over the land.

I've got 2 sets of turntables and honestly ain't worried if they do stop production for 2 reasons.
1. They last forever!
2. Rane/Serato (Vestax T.T. ain't that bad) will pick it up where Panasonic leaves it off.

It is true that Technics 1200 changed history; but they will NOT be here forever...

The DJing community and the greater dance music scene mourns the loss of a clubbing staple today. No, Steve Aoki hasn’t hung up his record bag, but rather news has emerged that iconic turntable manufacturers Technics will be stopping production on their universally loved Technics 1200s and Technics 1210s.

In a statement re-posted on dance board Global Hardstyle, the company behind the production of the Technics turntables Panasonic announced that they would cease the manufacture of Tehcnics turntables in February next year, citing an increasing decline in sales as the motivation behind the line’s demise.

The Australian arm of Panasonic issued a similar statement today, expressing their disappointment that the brand’s 35 years-and-running legacy was to be put to bed.

“It is a sad day today but due to low sales globally in analogue turntables a decision to stop production has been made on Technics Turntables,” Panasonic spokesman Ian North explained. “For Australia this means we will receive our last shipment in March.”

With the disappearance of Technics decks now imminent it’s becoming increasingly clear that the digital juggernaut is showing no signs of slowing down. We’ve already heard from trance icon Tiesto how he’s abandoned the ‘outdated’ medium in favour and gone for the ease and accessibility of digital tune libraries. Indeed, the new (and might we just say super-sexy) CDJ-2000s from Pioneer look to be making things easier than ever before with USB stick functionality, employed just last weekend by another digital convert Sasha.

Whilst we’re sure the classic Technics turntables will live on in the hearts of many club-reverent folk out there – not to mention in more than a few purist clubs – it’s still a crushing blow to lose the decks, and if nobody minds, we’ll be bringing beer o’clock around early this Friday afternoon.

thank you for posting absolutley no new information

And thank you for not even mentioning the source.

I like how this article states "Indeed, the new (and might we just say super-sexy) CDJ-2000s from Pioneer look to be making things easier than ever before with USB stick functionality, employed just last weekend by another digital convert Sasha."

This article must be written by DJ Times or some other homo on Pioneer's nuts. Nothin' sexy about CDJ's. PERIOD.

The pioneer forum is wack full of dudes who lick nuts IMO. I cant ever get a straight answer

its not a rumor. No more. Lets just say. I was told we get a professional camera in that cost $3000 to repair. And make money, or a turntable in that cost $175 at the most includeing parts. We don't make nothing. She add I haven't seen a tt in for repair in years. And that even the parts aint flying off the shelf. She say's the new LED tv's will post a threat to the tv's side to as led last alot longer.she said 1200 and 1210 have not been made in a few years. So here's how the chain goes for these companys. Kenwood owns jvc audio department, jvc own's panasonic audio side,and panasonic owns technic's. The only company that owns its self is alpine. But technics tt have not been in for repair in a long time she said. The sales in that department has droped big. And that's not good. One more thing she said was pioneer caters to the dj industrie's and they don't. Their main goal is profession camera's that makes music video's, movie's, etc.

I called a DJ Shop I used to go to all the time because I'm good friends with the owner and he said they are not discontinued.

huh?!?

not yet......... there was a press release.


I already bought an extra 1200 just in case. go it for $490 shipped too!

good price ;D

^-- nvm no press release yet. lol

Tiesto is not my kind of DJ, so it's irrelevant to me if he decides to ditch the 1200s in order to be a full-time button pusher on digital equipment.

i stayed at a Holiday Inn last night...

I emailed Panasonic! lol

good luck

theyll prob follow their pattern of giving out info by replying to your email on some random forum or message board

Exactly why I said this article is written by a pioneer nut licker or DJ Times. Instead of generalizing and saying something like "DJs are moving towards using digital systems like cd-turntables or DVS's", this article goes off and names a specific model with a specific feature and specific Trance DJ.

Trance DJs are last DJs I associate with using technics so why should I give a fuck about these guys? I associate them with pushing buttons and cdjs. shit that is weak

+1000000000

Tiesto is not my kind of DJ, so it's irrelevant to me if he decides to ditch the 1200s in order to be a full-time button pusher on digital equipment. <-------Tiesto ditched the 1200s about 3-4 years ago and has been a cdj/pioneer whore ever since

Besides the fact that decent grammar generally reflects credibility; whoever told you that has no idea what they are talking about. I can assure you that Panasonic is currently still taking orders for them.

While Panasonic is one of the big players in pro video, they are (and will) remain the big player in Plasma TVs, they are huge in medical electronics, small appliances, etc.

If they get out of the turntable business (notice the 'if'), it is because of profitability. Why would they jump ship on a product whose R&D expenses are non-existent otherwise. It costs them very little to continue production of a unit that goes virtually unchanged from decade to decade.

Panasonic HAS NOT issued ANY formal press release about the matter; and wouldn't stop production without one. Will the uninformed shut up until the facts come out?

Well said.

1st get a grip dude your not that important to anything I believe the forum is to pass along info and see if its true I wasn't telling I'm asking. I just love dudes who shoot up the net so gangster.I never get it, overcompensation for a lack of a hug maybe..So get off the decks and find a woman that can help you dork..Tone it down a bit cupcake...
2nd for the source is www.inthemix.com.au... I hope that this is Pioneer propaganda cuz midi controllers are like Dj em bedsissle blow up dolls good to be alone with but akward bringing them to your folks house for Christmas.......
And I'm off.........................

^^^lol um...ok

That shit has been posted already. That's why he gave you shit.


And your grammar sucks.

I know we're all freaking out about this, but let's wait to hear the official word from the guys at Panasonic before we all jump on eBay and start buying up every 1200 we can find. Hopefully this is all a bad dream that will be over soon, Technics are amazing and I hope they keep making them and keep them as the industry standard.

My grandma dont suck your aunt bites

What?

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

They are tricking us into buying that shit so they c an produce more!


i bought an sl1200 black yesterday.. Lol

Just posted today from Skratchworx (www.skratchworx.com)

I want a pair of MK4's or MK6's... Anyone know where I can get them? Specially the MK4. lol

the mk6 has the crush button right? fuuuuuu do want!

ok
say they scrap the 1200 & 1210's
what about the 1210 M5G's??? im confused???

IT'S A RUMOR PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

if they scrap the 1210s then it seems obvious the 1210 M5G would be disscontinued too seeing as it is a 1210

so if it becomes true..i know its rumors now..so your saying all tech models would be scraped..i dont think that would ever happen!!

Since the invention of the wheel, it has never been scrapped or obsoleted just EVOLVED into what is it today. Same emphasis goes to any product out today, we also got to consider that we are talking about an "industry standard".

On the other hand, all businesses have strategies to (hopefully) make a profit. The only question is whether or not the Technics Dj Turntable line is making a profit for them, but I'm also positive that in the last 30 years of being in production, they implemented some sort of six sigma - process improvement techniques to make sure that it remains profitable, reliable and with minimal risks.

Mr Panasonic came to me in a dream and told me it was true. He also told me that I was to take my life savings and invest in VHS shares as they were making a comeback.

haha the ghost of electronics past?????

i haven't read all the above post's, so apologies if somebody has a similar one.

Technics/Panasonic had a patent on the direct drive motor for turntables (so i've been told) in the 70's, therefore were able to monopolies the market in terms of competition. A sound business decision seems to have consequences in this instance. They never needed to improve anything in their design for a long time and competitors had to sit back and wait 30yrs for the patent to expire and now we have a host of choices on the market and Panasonic is paying a hefty price on relying on the 1200 (which is a piece of art btw) in that department.
All of a sudden Stanton, Numark, Vestax have turntables on the market with no less than 3 choices per brand to entice would be dj's, and a host of other dj related gear for that fact, which they have relied on for the past 30+ years (guessing here)

My thing is, Technics/Panasonic are comparing data they had 30 yrs ago to whats happening today in terms of sales, and they're complaining that they aren't reaching sales targets and have to discontinue a product. So they may discontinue their turntable, but THE turntable will be around for a very long time to come.

And just a passing thought...
If Stanton (Final Scratch) was able to patent their DVS system (i think they were first), then everyone here wouldn't have given Serato Scratch Live a look in until 2040, and by that time, what do you think you thoughts would be then about SSL? (assume that you were giving advice to a budding DJ at that time, and were alive of course)

They tried, but succeeded AFAIK in exactly one country - the netherlands.

Besides that, they were not the first.

www.serato.com

cool... this is what i learned today. thanks nik39.

I thought it would be unfair if I was the only one learning something new each and every day ;)

Patents don't last 30 years. I believe it's somewhere around 15 years.

It varies from different countries but it is between 15 to 20 years.

but dont those laws only apply to that country, ie if its patented in the netherlands you can create a similar american product

I believe that it only applies to where you "filed" the patent. That's why you would want to get different patents in which you're competerors are based. That's why technics/matsushita didn't bother to get a patent in the netherlands, what do they manufacture anyway.

....scratchlive??

Serato and the netherlands cannot be used in the same sentence unless you read the following:

The legal wrangling over patents and who owns digital vinyl technology continues. The latest development: the court has dismissed N2IT’s claim against M-Audio, as covered by djtechtools. Before you strike this as a victory in the M-Audio column, it’s possible the parties settled out of court. Based on my limited legal background, I tend to agree with Ean Golden at djtechtools: this does seem to diminish the likelihood of N2IT successfully pursuing a new case against Serato. (In the Netherlands, it’s not possible to buy Serato, because there is would violate Dutch patent law, in the country in which N2IT is based.)

Patent Duration
One important change in U.S. patent law resulting from GATT is the duration of U.S. patents. Patents were originally given 14-year terms from the date of issue, until that was changed in 1861. From 1861 until the implementation of GATT, the term of a patent was 17 years from the date of issue. Under GATT, all patents issued after June 7, 1995, have a term of 20 years from the effective filing date. GATT contained a retroactive component which provided that all patents that had been issued, but not yet expired, as of June 7, 1995, would have a term that is the longer of 20 years from its effective filing date or 17 years from the date of issue. The effective filing date is the date on which the earliest U.S. application is filed under which priority is claimed. In the United States, patent rights begin when the patent is issued.

it does vary from one country to another, but nice to know.

From Technics being discontinued rumors - To Who made DVS first

DAMN! This thread has it ALL going on! haha

I even just learned about Patents in different countries

And who says dj's don't know that much. I feel like i'm talking to some scholars here! lol

Hey homie, 3 things, google, CTRL+C & CTRL+V; we ain't that smart - don't misjudge us!

Haha :)

:) of course, gotta consider that by researching and reading these articles we ARE learnng something while we CTRL+C & CTRL+V

can someone explain to me the tax benefits of operating an off shore busniess through public option PPO VS hiring locally and keeping it in the closed sector??

I belivesixxx's orange selling business is based in dubai ask him

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!

hHAHahahhaha

hahahaha...

are u trying to get a tax rebate by selling your 1200's overseas?

This is why we have no cyber message board friends....lol!

Im keepin my 6 techs, hopefully they will be worth somethin in 20 years

im sure in 20 years the Ztrip AM museum of modern art would pay hansomly for em

Z trip museum of modern art???? Z trip? for reals??

it could happen

it could happen to Grandmaster flash, grandmaster theodore, JMJ, roc raida, jazzy jeff (you get my point) but z trip............???

Thank God I bought 1210's last year. I love them!!!

well i figure if its named after AM and ZTRIP we can mash it up and make a musem AND a walmart

In 20 years, SSL will be hands free; you'll use mind-power to mix.

in 1 year x box will be hands free wtf is going to take scratch live so long?

I know 1 thing that it will never, could never be hands free...

ya masturbation!

That wasn't it, but ok thanks for bringing it up. Now there's 2 things...lol

(creeping slowly toward "off-topic" discussions)

The 1200's have been the industry standard and I highly doubt Panasonic getting rid of them. On the other hand, technology has progressed so much since their release date that 2 things might happen: 1. Completely over haul the turntable to bring it to today's (feature) standards; or 2. Get rid of it and combine your R&D efforts into improving the DZ-1200 and make IT an industry standard (not gonna happen).

So to make a long story short, LONG LIVE THE SL-1200's!!!!

lol

Looks like its time to change over to the Stanton 150s. Solid deck tho

Whats up w/ the prices of 1200s skyrocketing up on pssl?

www.pssl.com

pssl either believed the rumor or maybe the rumor is true....

Technics just raised their prices (but why)?

That's just list price, which no one ever pays; they know they'll be price matching someone else. Besides, who in their right mind buys from PSSL unless they like paying too much from "specialists" who know nothing anyway? They're like a mail order Guitar Center.

Read below the description, it isn't the list price. Technics in fact have raised their prices on turntables.

www.audiolines.com

cgi.ebay.com

that Audiolines website has been like that for months

with the whole bit about Technics "just" raising their prices

Well, if it were being discontinued; they would have been lowering it. Dealer price used to be right around $350, I'll have to make some calls.

lol, what for?

dealer price hasn't been $350 for a long time...

They went up on turntable lab too...

www.turntablelab.com

i would suspect their raising list prices since everyone in the country is freaking out thinking theyll be discontinued and empting their wallets to get em

but shouldn't it be the other way around, why would you buy an item that it will become extinct? Shouldn't the manufacturer lower the prices just to empty out warehouses. Pioneer reduced the price to their djm-707 by almost 50% when they discontinued it, and so did vestax with their Samurai mixer line.

the vestax samurai line was shitty as hell!

in both of those cases you were dealing with products that had combarable if not better compition\products. With the technics table your talking about a product that has no peer, the only thing close to comp is the TTX which is still lightyears behind. So were talking about a product in high demand that will lower the bar after it dissappears. So yes people will pay the higher prices for the soon to be extinct higher grade goods so they will have them

Not necessarily true, have you used the vestax turntables at all? They are dope! And as far as Tecnics not having a close competetor, think again; The digital realm is obsoleting the analog world wheather most of us want to admit it or not.

In all honesty, if the DVS technology did NOT exist today, how many of us would still be using turntables instead of mp3/CDJ's player?

Doesn't matter what WE THINK. It's numbers that matter. Technics has sold more turntables than any other company and yes, it still can't be touched. I don't care how many other turntables have more features that Technics should've implented, it is still a good seller especially on the fact that it's a tank.

The number are the way they are because of what WE THINK about the turntable, how can we not consider that? Besides the sales numbers are skewed cause Technics did not have a decent competetor for 15+ years.
Don't get me wrong, I love my 1200's; but if Technics are obsoleted sooner or later we gotta move on to the next comparable product.

but it DOES exist which has lead to a rise in sales....thats why blockbuster and FYE carry vinyl again

OR for the people that love their techs they buy em with a backup while they can. This works because technics are tanks and have an incredible lifespan. Which brings me to my point of why they can raise the price on exit. I dont think the technics line is losing panasonic any money, its just not creating as much revenue as it used too. In this case they dont need to drop the price and clear out their warehouses, just say their being discontinued and raise the price so that people clamor for them, theyll all still get sold and theyll get a higher profit margin for em. And if you dont think people will pay the higher price your crazy, were talking about the same people who pay over 100 more dollars to not have a click at 0 pitch and 200 or 300 dollars to have a blue LED and a glitter finish

DVS did not drive vinyl sales up! If you count the all the Serato pressings and the CV's as vinyl sales, then YES - it did go up.

great marketing ploy..
make everyone belive they will be discontinued. (rumors) but not by panasonic
raise your price :)

what did??

i want 2 vestax controller one's :)

www.time.com

ill buy that but i still say DVS has a hand in the rise of popularity of vinyl and TTs, for a brief time between the height of DVS and the old school days all you would see djs on in tvs and movies (and alot in person) was CDJs, when DVS took off you saw a reemergance of guys on vinyl which i feel led alot of people to go go out and cop TTs which then allow them to play normal vinyl......just my 2 cents

Of course DVS brought back the popularity of turntables bro. Before my serato days I'd use both turntables and CDJ's. I used CDJ's cause of the new music out there that was not available on vinyl and used turntables for every reason all of us use them. Since Serato's introdution to the Dj world, there was no more need for the CDJ's (based on preference). Serato linked us all to all the music unavailable on vinyl back to vinyl and back to using turntables...

Everyone keeps referring to the Techs as obsolete compared to newer turntables. If using newer and better equipment is big for you, why are you even using a turntable? Some of us like the Techs BECAUSE they're so basic.

I just scrolled up a few posts and there is no reference to "newer turntables, better equipment"

????

+1

good luck finding a single controller one. the last one in the states was sold a few months ago by the ruccazoid himself. i have been trying track one down franticly. i called everywhere including overseas looking for one. if anyone knows where to find even a used one get at me...

they're discontinued and as far as i know vestax has no plans of manufacturing anymore. shame. it should be a special order item.

putting La Bamba vinyl on ahhh reliving the 60s.....

I just bought an sl1200 from my job..


i checked our inventory, there are NONE on order ... so this may be ture.

wow MKIIs are gone!
www.jr.com

If Matsushita/Pioneer is smart, they're reading forums just like this one, not saying that they're discontinued, but not saying they're NOT discontinued, all the while jacking the cost of the 1200 on a wave of perceived obsolescence.

why is there this much discussion over rumor that started in retail stores..... what do we do as dj's to promote a night? well in advance or hours before "im rocking such and such tonight its gonna be dope be there early avoid the line" what line? how dope? can we see the future no so we are starting a rumor to try to generate business.... over the past 10 years the rumors have started from time to time about the demise of the fabled technics 1200.... ummmm 10 years later they are still for sale... every time though people rush out to buy a fresh set! marketing at its best.... maybe whoever starts these rumors should run for office they have you guys' votes....

The difference with this rumour is that 3 different divisions of Panasonic confirmed it after the rumour being published in New Zealand and Australia. As far as rumours go, that's quite a bit more than retailer tittle tattle because product X is hard to get hold of thus must be discontinued.

This has happened before! By at least one of the official offices.

I have a feeling this is the real deal because I've been through 3 or 4 of these rumour cycles before but have never seen the price go up and have them become hard to find all in the matter of two weeks. Somethings up... For sure.

I'm gonna put this rumor to rest once and for all...

PANASONIC EMAILED ME BACK!!!!

----------------------------------

Dear MR MARTINEZ

Thank you for contacting Panasonic. We truly apologize for the delay in
responding to your inquiry and we hope that this has not caused you any
inconvenience.

Technics turntable is not discontinued that is why there is no website for
the "Official Announcement". You may still check and purchase Technics
turntable from the Panasonic Website.

www.panasonic.com

We hope this information is helpful to you.

Thank You,
Panasonic Consumer Support

End thread!

Good job Woody. Move on people, there's nothing to see here. :)

HAHA nice

Well done!

'Technics turntable is not discontinued that is why there is no website for
the "Official Announcement". '

What a poorly worded sentence.

www.engrish.com

lol

I called PSSL today to see what was going on with the M5G because I was actually buy them this coming weekend and I talked to a guy there and said that the Technics line have been discontinued. I asked if they would price match with Guitar Center since theres are still about 750 and they said now...WTF??

^^ I mean he said NO...lol

Did u read woodys post above?

Yeah I read that, but did PSSL read that because $1000 for one table is pretty ridicules!!!

That turntable might be discontinued, but not the line

A new deck is coming out 1st quarter 2010 with usb connections watch and see...

The retail end of the business will side with those who say it's discontinued--it's the perfect excuse for them to jack the price.

+1

I've stopped caring now. It feels very much like a PR game and I'm not playing it anymore.

+1

guitar center price matched djdeals.com for me last week. ended up getting the M5G's for $581.32 after the match plus 10% of the difference. djdeals.com had the M5G for $658 last week. they have sinced raised their price to $775 now.

PSSL sucks...they wouldn't even come close to matching a legit black friday price that i gave them.

i sent pssl a price match and they never responded (mk5)

i was lucky enough to buy 2 brand new m5g's for $509.99 each during guitar center's labor day weekend sale.

i bought 1 for that price and it was the last one in the store, the floor demo model.....i went back for black friday to try and get another deal on one and they still havent got another one in, i had bought their last one...:(

Turntable lab has ZERO mk2's in stock (black & silver) and also ZERO m5g's in stock, they only have "5" silver mk5's in stock of any technics 1200's models...

www.residentadvisor.net

Not true, don't believe it. They will be discontinued....

Is this for real????

www.dplazastoreltd.com

WOOOOWWW!!!! can anyone confirm anything about this site??

Too good to be true?

www.dplazastoreltd.com

Oh wait, I don't feel too confident about it -

THE PLAZA STORE LTD
17, Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur,50470. MALAYSIA
TEL. # : +60102179000
E-Mail : hakimmalik002@gmail.com

Malaysia??

at what point DID you acutually feel confident about that deal lol....id feel more confident picking it up off the back porch of a crack house

Y'all have been hoodwinked.....

I was at CES over the weekend and I was able to get an upclose look at what might be the replacment of the Technics SL1200 by a company based in Ohio:

www.audio-technica.com

The motor is direct driven but not as strong as the SL1200. Two sets of rca outputs (one for phono level), USB and can also play 78rpm records (not theat we need it). Rumor has it that the LP120 may be produced in the same factory as Technics. But that has not been confirmed or denied.

The remarkable thing I found interesting about this turntable was it is not a cheap plastic (my 1st sony) record player like the ion and numark TT-USB turntables. It has some weight to it. Don't be surprised if they decide to fill in the void if Panasonic decides to discontinue production of Technics.

Bottom line Panasonic is more interested in bigger fish like selling 3D/HD LED TV sets and 3D Blu-Ray players in everyhome than trying to sell SL1200's to handful of enthusiasts and night club owners. But this could mean big business for Audio Technica who could become a big player in the DJ market overnight by a single stroke of a pen by a Panasonic executive.

in for group buy of Panasonics Turntable division!

Here's another story link about the Audio Technica LP120 with more upclose photos:

ces.cnet.com

What's price for the Audio Technicas' LP120, i feel like getting one for the hell of it and testing it out.

Interesting. For archiving vinyl, this would probably be the best solution. Hopefully, they don't skimp on internal components. I'll stick with my Technics though.

+1

Are "other" manufacturers trying to raise their prices too, LOL?

Glancing at this PSSL link, it looks like Stanton and Vestax are possibly trying to get in on the frenzy.

www.google.com

$300 new $150 refurbished - Also there is only one RCA output but it has a line/phone output switch.

www.covingtoninnovations.com

includes a decent cartridge as well.

Just what I thought... They cut corners somewhere. Those TTs are in the $250 - $299 range.

Audio Technica has always been a lower-end budget audio company... a person would be much better off buying a used Technics 1200 - they'd save money and get an extremely higher quality product.

Stanton t.120c - ftw(for me at least)
www.gigacrate.com

never owned a technic I have had stanton 150s since i started DJing. compared to a technic its way better but i know everyone will tell me that the stantons are crappy and there is no one they would ever dj on a staton turntable.

not trying to argue but i am ligitamatley curious, what makes it better? Also if youve never owned a tech how do you know??

^ +1

Well I have played on technics 1200s and I have played on the stanton 150. I was lucky enough to demo both before making my decision. I liked the Stanton better because it started the song faster than the technic did that was the only selling point when I first bought it. Now that I developed a bit of scratch technique I realize how much the torque makes a difference. To be honest i cannot scratch as well on a technic because it doesnt seem to catch up fast enough. Again I am not use to a technic if I was Im sure this wouldnt even be a discussion. The stanton 150 is a solid ass TT there is no doubt about that.

i've never used any of the straight arm stantons, but the t120c curved arms are awesome as far as what makes them better to me(and ive owned techs and my roomate has M5Gs:

Almost 4x the torque
Detatchable RCA/Power
No ground wire
2 start/stop buttons for turntablists
phono/line switch
adjustable start/brake speeds
up to 50% pitch control
Pitch bend(fav feature)

Those are what make them better to me. Techs to me are a status thing more than anything. I will agree they earned the industry standard label. Hell I can even understand not adding new features, but if you don't fix known problems like rca/ground wire at least then they were destined to get passed up once people actually start thinking instead of just saying, if it ain't technics it sucks like they have been brainwashed. With no demand for change a product stagnates, and eventually falls behind...

oh yeah if anyone wants to question the build, they are made out of the same materials and both are 27lbs(techs and t120s)

For the record I have the Stanton 150 S tonearm I have not tried the straight tone arm Its a great TT

here is them in my setup in one of my live vids

www.ustream.tv

that 150 looks nice, setup is almost identical even tho the styling is different. i didnt see the pitch bend tho.

sounds good, im not tech fanboying just wandering. When i was originally buying TTs i kinda leaned towards the numark TTX myself but it was brought to my attn that the feeling between the 2 would be different and since the standard is the tech I may run into probs when i gigged on others equipment so i went with the techs

sorry, but stanton is garbage... all of it... I sold pro audio and dj equipment for 4 years... every stanton product is plagued by poor craftsmanship and defects - turntables to CD players to headphones. We would constantly return DOA and defective equipment. I've never seen a ten year old stanton turntable, have you?

"Technics is a status thing" only when you don't own one.... buy a pair and see







and get a mac!





*runs and hides*

+1 ive never seen a 10 year old stanton turntable

I have it was the one for sale in guitar center lol

haha^^^ well theres one pair

LoL... funny

did stanton made turntables 10 years ago?

they had the time too

Stanton Magnetics, founded in 1946, is a manufacturer of professional and consumer audio equipment. Most of its products are aimed at DJs. It is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the privately owned Stanton Group who also own Cerwin-Vega and KRK Systems. The company has long been renowned for its line of magnetic cartridges and styli for phonographs

yes, the 500 were the industry standard for a loong time, I owned a pair, and they were very good, actually. But that was a long time ago. Now, Stanton is all who-can-make-it-the-cheapest-Chinese-made junk. Technics - Made in Japan. Rane - Made in USA. This is why you still see 10-20 year old rane (MP24) mixers and SL-1200 turntables at clubs all over the world.

Not a fanboy, just been around long enough to what lasts and what doesn't. Pros use pro gear - end of story.

Technics for life!!!!

I have already stated I do own a pair and regularly use my roomates M5Gs when mine are cased up to practice on. I never said Technics aren't good, they are very good. I am only saying it is ignorant to say they are the end all be all. I find myself on these threads about TT's too much. lol I think half of my forum posts are prob defending stanton turntables and I know its an uphill fight. But read this review if you have any kind of open mind regarding the subject www.gigacrate.com. The author is Nick Nack one of the bigger DJs in austin, he also runs gigacrate.com which is a music website(pretty good one too). He is def more pro than alot of us on this board, and they work just fine for him.

*have owned a pair

I guarantee that the Stanton 150s will be around for at least 20 years I say that because I own one and there is no way that thing is made out of cheap junk. Maybe in the past I will admit stanton was not the best but I have faith my stantons are 3 years old. Not really old at all but they spin like the do since I took them out the box. Ima Stanton TT guy for life I have no reason to get a technic. I have tried them and they just dont cut it imo against the new Stanton TTs.

Saying you like Stanton over Technics is like saying you like MS Pant over Photoshop.

+1 haha nice

No the Staton 150 over technics any day. Sorry but your whole argument of industry standard and blah blah doesnt mean the stanton isnt better just admit. If you dont admit then your momma didnt raise you right.....lol.

Stanton 500 needles were the workhorse of the DJ/Radio industry. Stanton turntables haven't been around long enough to prove their longevity.

1200's have been around for DECADES.

The real question is, when a Stanton TT DOES go, and they eventually WILL...

Will there be readily available replacement parts for them?

Is there a user friendly Service Manual? How about YouTube Vids when things get out of whack?

The legacy behind Technics has all that covered.

Are there simply enough Stanton turntable users out there to generate the type of support needed if something goes wrong?

I know I can fix someone else's Technics 1200, because I know what it's supposed to act, smell, feel, and look like. How it's supposed to react in certain situations.

If you have the greatest turntable in the world, it doesn't mean JACK if you can't get it fixed.

^ thank you johnny for at least giving a valid reason that you prefer 1200s. I don't mind if people don't agree with me about my turntables or turntables in general. But there is simply too many people that have no valid arguments besides technics good everything else sucks...

It will be interesting to see if 1200s actually get discontinued and parts become scarce, what people will go to. CDJs, new midi controllers coming out, or another brand of TTs? I agree stanton at the current time doesn't have a large userbase, that doesn't mean they don't make a great product(now, not historically). But that product could also never catch on, it wouldn't be the first time a better product didn't pick up because of poor marketing or bad PR. Only after 1200s actually become unavailable will we know, because its unlikely that as long as they are made, no matter how many better products come out, that anyone else could pose a "real" threat to the overall sales of TTs.

But probably the one thing on these forums that doesnt make any sense to me is people seem pretty open to the new Audio-technica TT or whatever, even though it is relatively unknown and the specs are worse than technics. Whats the deal with that?

You mean "end of debate". That China vs. Japan & USA fact sums it up.

I would love to take a Stanton turntable out to the desert and blast it with my new M4...but that's just me.

Stanton 680's FTW!!!!! I used to buy them by the boxes everytime I traveled to Mexico. lol They were cheap there! lol

Just realized they still make the 680's, they just look different.

These are the ones I used to own!
www.analogstereo.com

i had the same ones & the 500's
now it all bout orto's for me :)

Man look, I work with whatever WORKS, no matter how old it is, or whatever the "New Rage" is on the street!

Rane had to work REAL HARD to get me to cross over to the TTM56, (and then ultimately the 56S), AND they STILL need a split cue tho.

They're "technically" better TT's out there than 12's, as far as scratching is concerned, but you have to ask yourself, if you only train yourself on whatever "off brand" you have, what happens if you're put in a situation where you can't bring them?

Thus the reason why you should have a pair to kick around and become familar with anyway.

It's that "Global" (No Stickam) standard.

+1, which is why i said that earlier lol, whats the point in learning to scratch\mix\rock insanley good on a table that may very well not be there when you go to perform in front of people? Anyone can train themselves to be awsome on any piece of equipment but the question is what will be avalaible to use when its GO time

I get that, but turntables unlike cd players dont have alot of tactile difference. some of the features may be there. But I can mix on technics or my stantons, ive owned and am familiar with both. But in austin and dallas at least, not many clubs have TTs for you. You either bring yours or are the resident and can leave yours. Some clubs have some denon cd players, but not many even have that. So, here at least you are prob using your own equipment.

what if you do a guest set and the resident uses techs?? Multiple DJ shows?

But the clubs do have pa´s and speakers, don´t they? ;-)

1200s have died. Say goodbye.

Say hello to the Numark V7's

www.skratchworx.com <- click.

;)

7-inch platter? didn't numark learn from the ns7?

It could create a problem if you aren't familiar with both. if I was to do a guest set on someone else's equipment, my biggest concern would be mixer and computer not TT.

Really it doesn't matter its all preference and the preference will be technics til they are dead and gone. I guess some prefer guaranteed dependability and some prefer better features with "assumed" dependability. All I know is if someone fucks up my cords I'm not out for a a few days to a few weeks like other people I know have been. But if something did happen I would prob be out longer, though it hasn't in the past 3 years.

TTs as a whole will probably fade out the more technology advances and controllers will take over. That V7 looks pretty interesting, though I also am not a big fan of the small platter, but I will say the tech cd players dont feel great either. If it comes down to a CD player the cdj 800 is the best I have "personally" used.

^and that was not a hit on technics for the cd players, but an example of a large platter not feeling great... :-)

That's only one component, but if you think about it, if your PITCH SLIDER took a dump, (like a LOT of TT's do), you're screwed for those same amount of days, if not more.

It's almost as easy to replace a pitch slider in a 1200 as it is the RCA cords. The Pitch slide on that Stanton might not be user friendly replaceable, or maybe it is...

But you get my point. Is your local GC gonna be likely to have a Pitch slider for a Staton in stock vs. a 1200?

this is the only part you will ever need for a stanton turntable: www.turntablelab.com :p

I understand that, it's why i said in the same quote "But if something did happen I would prob be out longer, though it hasn't in the past 3 years." I recognize that it would be harder to fix. But, luckily, over three years of heavy use they haven't had "any" issues.

what's this "belt" contraption you are speaking of? I have never seen one of these....

CDJ TECHNICS SL-DZ1200
Watchwww.youtube.com

he even didn't have the vinyl simulator on, but if you really want to skratch, stick to REAL vinyl...

+1... if they made an NS9 with a 9 inch platter, I'd sell my NS7 with the quickness.

Gotcha.

I think my first issue with my 1200 had to be the pop up light going. Bought my 1200's in '85, and if I recall, it took about 8 years for the 1st light to go.

During that time, all the REPLACEMENT lights were poorly made, and until they upgraded the quality, I was replacing them like once a year for like 4 years.

Now they last a LOT longer.

Those pop-up lights were always the first to go. Right after screwing up the plastic cover.

Id be supruised if my gc even had any techs in stock for sale lol

Everyone is pretty much out of techs. I just bought 2 technics sl-1210m5g a couple of months ago. Maybe I should rebox them and save them for ten years. I was originally going to buy the STR8 150 stantons but at the time would have had to wait for 2 months for the shipment. Impatience gave me my final decision on the Techs and I baby them. I still want to give the ST8 150's a try. The instant start and reverse is sick. Im curious if people are going to start wanting even more money for their used Techs. I figure if I wont be able to buy parts in the future Im screwed. Any parts that I should stock up on while I have a chance? Also guessing my factory warranty is no good.

If they truly stop making the Technics... someone is gonna probably hoard the parts and charge a premium to purchase / repair.

read the whole post... there is some good info

Well visit panasonic web site and you will find out that they are back order and their price increse!! mg5 = 900dls

Who hasn't seen this vid.... bashing cd players, particularly the dz 1200. I happen to use the dz 1200's and have never heard a digital sound. Granted I was smart enough to update the firmware on the decks. Let us not forget that "yeah" just sounds digital anyway I don't care if it is on an 8 track. People on this site are so quick to bash anything other than a this turntable or a that mixer.... I can spin on anything you put infront of me. All I would ask is 10 minutes with it before I went on if it THAT much different from a normal rig. I've used the stanton decks... incredible torque on those things... other than that it's a tt.... uses the same 12" that a technics do... even the same needles can be used. Imagine that.... Use whatever fits your budget... I personally will not buy used 1200's anymore. I have bought several for seemingly a good deal and two months later having to replace this or that. Buying used 12's is much like buying a used car... you can never be too sure of what youre getting until you take it apart because someone cleaned it up real nice and everything appears fine means nothing. If you can rock on it and can afford it... buy it... if someone wants to complain about it send em to me... I love a good hater.

oh and about the whole if you want to skratch for real comment.... watch carefully....

Watchwww.youtube.com

Your video seems to prove your point. I've read that the firmware update got rid of that prior distortion and glitchy digital sound that WAS inherent with the SL-DZ1200s. Back before the update was my only experience with the SLDZ1200s which made me think they were FAIL-status on Technics part. If that's been resolved then more power to ya. I still don't like that little button notch on the platter face though.

I've bought 3 sets of those damn plastic covers...

I would be mad as HELL if I couldn't get any Tech parts...

Get ready for that day, it is fast approaching...

LOL! So is Jay-Z "retiring".

has anyone ordered from Audiolines recently? Prices there are not ridiculous...yet.

SO, my family is visiting in Japan right now and I asked my wife to search about it.
(I can't read or write much japanese yet)
Basically what she found out is Panasonic made an official statment on Dec 12, 2009
saying that they had NO plans to discontinue their technics brand or turntable division. Even though the analog market is not what it used to be, enough people are still usingTT's to keep them in business. Also, many blogs speculate the same thing being said on this forum. The rumor was started by retailers in November to increase sales during the holiday season.

Thanks.

but I gotta ask...where are all the decks? supply is running low everywhere, even panasonic website doesn't have them

PSSL hasn't been great at price matching lately. Guitar center is rocking in that dept. now. They will price match anything! I've been pretty happy with them lately. No need for any new turnatbles now though.

at a random music store in Japan they had mk6 for about $650...

I tried to get them to price match an ebay sale once....didnt go over to well

I was actually thinking about trying to get some MK6s, but I wonder if they will work on US power.

From djforums.com: Seems everyone has a different view.........

Dec 05, 2009

Technics was discontinued by Matsushita about 15 years ago, with the exception of it's DJ Line. The DJ Line itself is still very profitable for Matsushita, so they wont touch it.

THE CHANGES:
The SL1200MK2 and MK5 are discontinued. Production of the MK2 stopped about 3 years ago (2005). What they are selling now, is what they have in stock. The MK5 stopped being produced last year (2008), and both models will be replaced by the SL1200MK6 / SL-1210MK6 models. Prices for the MK2 and MK5 have increased DRAMATICALLY - An astounding 40-60% in many markets. Putting the price of the MK2 at well over $550 - where previously, you could obtain a brand new one in the $400-450 range - depending on where you bought it. We sold them for $430/ea. Now we are forced to sell @ $550/ea.

THE REASONS:
It's not that Technics/Matsushita is shutting down the DJ Line. They are adapting to market & global changes which affect their bottom line. The most important change in the new MK6 models are the materials used in the production of these new units. Mainly the less toxic chemicals used to develop the Printed Circuit Boards - which explains the reason why they have discontinued ALL PC Boards for previous models. They are TOXIC. All PC Boards are toxic, but due to WEEE and RoHS directives - essentially banning the sale of any electronic equipment which do not adhere to these strict guidelines - it will affect MULTIPLE markets for Matsushita - Europe, Asia, Americas, etc.

THE FUTURE:
The SL1200MK6 and SL1210MK6 are slated for arrival in the European markets by Jan/Feb 2010 - and scheduled for the America's by March/April 2010 - there are many sites out there taking Pre-Orders for these, but be aware, these are just estimate dates. They are not Confirmed dates.

MK2 owners... just hope that IC301 does not go bad. The only way to get this part now is to purchase the entire Main PC Board, which is a $180 part, and only available to authorized service centers. We have a waiting list for these boards, for the multiple units we have here that need them. Current wait is anywhere from 4-8 months for the board. In addition, many other parts for the MK2 have been discontinued. Luckily, we are still able to use many of the MK5 parts, but now they are slowly discontinuing those as well.

MK5 owners... you don't have much to fear. However, most of the MK5's have the new PC Boards on them, which are essentially garbage compared to the older MK2 boards. The IC's perform more functions, and if they fail, you'll see a whole slew of issues with your unit. IC failure has been very common in the MK5 models compared to the MK2 series.

M5G owners... you also don't have much to fear. The PC Boards used in these models are RoHS compliant, and no parts have been discontinued for this model (not yet).

FROM MATSUSHITA:
We've been told by our Matsushita contact that the M5G and the MK6 will be the only available models in production.

In addition, when I went to Panasonic NJ to get my re-certification for Technics, the Technics 'division' was reduced, and only run by 2 people. 2 years ago, it was operated by 8 people. 6 years ago, it was an office with about 20 people working Technics USA.

I was told that I was the LAST Technics Authorized Service Technician in the USA as of July 2009. My certification would only be extended until 2012, before I would have to switch it over to a Panasonic level certification ---- which I could care less about. I don't work on DVD players or Plasma's. I work on Technics.

- OPTiC (Master Tech

That makes the most sense to me.

I was hopeing this was true but as great of an explination this is I'm finding from dealers and wholesalers that the backorder log is growing and growing and suppliers are drawing a blank with restock dates and times and some saying this is it, the end!! Super sad but more than likely true.... This sucks:(

My local GC just got new MK5's in.... weird.

Yea mine has some also but the supplier told them that this is the last batch they had on hand and weren't getting anymore after that.... That's also wahat I was told by turntable lab... Both LA and NY locations.

stanton 150

fail... Techs 4 life or till I can't find another pair. Lol

After a nuklear strike there still would be cockroaches and a spinning 1210 somewhere on this planet.

hell yea!! Techs are rock solid!

Not gonna start a technic war but IM positive my Stanton 150 will be around long enough for me to pass it on to my kids when they get older.

will you keep them in the package box until the grow up?

No most likely in there flight cases....lol. You guys are fukin hilarious sometimes. Trust me those Stanton are the fuking truth I have one broken technic the platter wobbles like crazy it was a handme down. Anyways try em I think you will find yourself right at home

leave it in a club for 15 years and see if he still wants to use it..... that's where my first pair of Techs came from

You I think thats were my broken technic came from someones club. Its kool yall I will rock my stantons with no problem them funny thing is that most DJs look at them and say man are those New Technics when there is clearly a stanton lablel on them.

isn't the Stanton 150 a rebadge of another table?

Like Final Scratch from Stanton was a rebadge of Final Crash?

similar, yeah

most DJ are stupid

didnt confuscious say that

Uhmm Im not sure I know final scratch was horrible. I think the Stanton 150 has the same internal parts of this TT by a group called reloop and I think there is also a OEM version that was put out by american audio but it was only on a short term basis.

www.reloopdj.com

Technics 'look alikes' are suspect just because they are 'look alikes'.

So your buying a Mazda, but really it could just be a Ford? I would prefer to buy a product that is engineered, manufactured, and distributed by one reliable company.


Stanton - made in China, contract awarded to lowest bidder. Next year someone else will build it because they can do it cheaper, and so on....

Technics - made in Japan, by Panasonic, since 1979

They dont even look like Technics well the stantons 150 dont at all. They look like solid TT so people mistake them for technics all the time.

that's the one and that is the reason I want to stay with Technics.

The longevity of the Stanton turntable depends on the strength of the company Reloop. Plus it says "Stanton went back to basics and re-engineered everything" on the www.stantondj.com page when it was actually designed by Reloop, and "Reloop is designed & engineered in Germany"
www.reloopdj.com

Which is it, and where do I get parts in 10 years?

aka people are stupid

engineered by undercutters for undercutters

Thats a good question Im sure in the big scheme of things stanton and reloop probably use the same manufacturer which why they have the same TT but with different appearances. Stanton may not be a technic but they have been around for a very longtime and I dont see them disappearing off the DJ market at all. So im sure replacement parts will be around for years to come.

Or maybe Stanton is the same element as reloop jus abroad. Kinda like the Isuzu Rodeo. It has a japaness engine and is a foreign car but it is distrubuted by GM. Which is american. Rodea has a vtech engine GM doesnt but it all comes from the same company.

Try finding a replacement original Stanton 680 Stylus. Sure they make a newer model, but it's not as good as the original.

Well, Reloop (in Germany) is known to be... the cheapos brand. Go figure.

How hell would you know NIk39 you in NY.

Haha. :)

nice

If it helps, DJ Ritmo, I don't have to be in Germany to know what is known in Germany ;)

I have them both and the techs stay on the table. I like them both but of course Im going to wear the Nikes and keep the new balances in the closet.... Do have to say the stanton str8 150's instant reverse is sick.

I have the S tone arm stantons and they work for me. The only thing I can about the technics is that you kinda have scratch a lil different because the torque speeds are different. The stanton torque is stronger doesnt make it better its just stronger so you have to release the record a bit later than with the technic you have to relase the record a bit sooner.

release the record sooner/later? what do you mean? don't you release it "on beat"?

I just need to correct this statement and give a little more info.

These decks are what is commonly referred to as Super OEMs. They come from the Hanpin factory as an off the shelf model - www.hanpin.com.tw - and Hanpin will either simply rebadge it. Companies who have marketed variants include Citronic (PD-45), American DJ (HTD 4.5), Kam (DDX5000) and Reloop (RP-6000).

In the case of Stanton however, while the core components are the same, Stanton actually have custom tooling for the chassis. This does make the STR8-150 considerably heavier than the OEM models too. The Stanton deck also has keylocking - unique to their deck.

So as far as parts go, sharing the same basics as everyone else ensures a continuity of spares for he foreseeable future. I really don't see this core design changing anytime soon, so getting the spares won't be an issue.

So as you can see, the continuity of the STR8-150 has nothing at all to do with Reloop and everything to do with the Hanpin factory. It was most certainly not "designed and engineered" in Germany or by Reloop. Stanton have added some marketing spin for their greater degree of re-engineering as they added a straight arm, keylocking and a much better chassis.

LOL @ new balance sneakers in the closet

Good shit scratchworx but you do this type of research for a living. I was kinda taken a stab at what could. I stated in my post that I wasnt sure but I was on the right path just didnt have enough knowledge to be exact. Thanks

I might be wrong - but by the time Technics actually become 'hard to find' the migration to digital will have been complete. So there is not really a need to look for an alternative. There is easily 40 plus years of used Technics to be traded. By 2050 someone will have come up with a digital solution for that 1200 feeling some of us need. I doubt there is going to be too many old ass men wishing they could find a decent pair of analog tables. just a matter of time

I just wanted to make sure that people had the right info. It's easy to read something on a forum and before long it becomes the accepted truth.


2050? My money is on considerably sooner than that. Once the whole vinyl experience has been cracked in the digital world with proper needle dropping simulation, the move away from DVS will begin. 12" ITCH units with touch screen waveforms on deck? The NS7 and V7 are nearly there already.

Thanks for the good info Gizmo, I definitely give the Stanton deck more credit after learning this. It's not swaying me from Technics just yet as I found myself justifying 900USD for a deck and I'd still buy them. I might even go as high as 1200 (ha).

I'm not sure about the complete digital conversion though. As someone who's gone from CDJ to Controller, and then back to Vinyl (with DVS) I not sure anything can replace the whole vinyl experience. I can see 100 years from now people pulling out some limited edition wax and wowing the whole DJ world with analog prowess.

yes I agree - much sooner then 2050. I am just saying there is PLENTY of time before there will be a shortage of usable 1200s.

Except for one thing (that I have complained about plenty) why the ef has no one attempted to create a digital replacement for the 1200? Large rotating platter/ minimal function/ targeted for standardization/ etc. Yes, you could say there that there are attempts, but I wont agree. Possibly no one ever will (for reasons I can only suspect) but it is strange compared to how many straight up 1200 knock offs there are out there - and compared to how many other types of controllers are 'invented'. It seams to me that someone would AIM precisely with a product meant to replace the 1200 with a new standard.

100 years??? ha - no one nowadays pulls out an old Victrola and shows how smoothly they turn the crank! (ok, not comparable, but you know what I mean). 100 years from now you should be able to get that analog feeling playing around with a virtual life simulator machine. 100 years from now I doubt there will be too many museums showing 1200s - there will be too many fully functional systems hidden away with the rest of grandpas old crap.

i dont think the worry is in finding a tech, the worry i have is their discontinuing replacment parts...sure techs are tanks but getting a used one is kinda tricky, things may need to be replaced and if you cant fix it its no longet a tank.....for example i was trying to replace the RCAs in an MK2 and fried the board...went to a few sites and none have replacment boards....what would have been a cheap quick fix is now a fatal problem for the machine



probably becase why would someone go for the exact copy when they can have the real thing, most people who want those specs WANT vinyl, people who dont want the opposite, smaller lighter more CD\MIDI like

Everyone of their turntables model numbers bit off of Technics nomenclature: Reloop RP6000-MK6, M3D, MK3...

"Be original, ya sh*t is sloppy, get off the d*ck, ya MF carbon copy" - NWA (Dre)

riiiite, so come up with your own rhyme

Roses are red
Violets are blue
If it ain't Technics
It smells like doo doo


Thanks everybody. I'm here all week.

yes, you can get away with not using that board
(I dont know) but maybe discontinuing parts helps sell tables

but this is where the market and ingenuity can step in. it really wouldnt be that difficult for an enterprising young gentleman to press up a batch of replacement pc boards, just like the color light kits and whatnot.

if there is a market........



maybe Im the only one - but I would really like a large format, tank built, midi (or whatever) controller, with the feel of a 1200 but with digital control. something that would weigh 0 because its a standard instal or rider request

looks like this is true..

heres the official letter notifing of the discontinuation of all technics analogue turntables.
studio-lights.com

^ UPDATE: Panasonic is in fact ceasing production of the SL-1200MK6 model specifically, while other Technics turntable models will live on. Phew! Sincere apologies for the misunderstanding.

I have 2 1210's I wanna trade for some CDJ 1000's.

Lol @ people saying for so long it wasn't going to happen.

BUFU yo!