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0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 special editions of sl1200Aug 09, 2009
I was happy to see the mention of KAB and the dust cover hinges. I wanted to make note that when you buy any '1200 from KAB you automatically get not only the hinge kit installed, but you get the thicker audiophile mat and a full QC inspection as well. Stock, The MK5 and M5G both come with a thin rubber mat. this may not be tall enough to set tonearm height correctly with short squat cartridges. The thicker mat solves that and improves the sound as well. Of course, the mat is available separately as well. [...]
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Grand Master amazesApr 09, 2009
The Flagship of the Technics Turntables, the SL1210M5G is the 30th Anniversary edition of the legendary SL1200 line. This fully manual unit has been going strong since the '70's and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. The deck was originally built as a high end home audio component, but has become honored by most club DJ's because of it's rugged build and many DJ enhancements over the years.
I selected this version for my home turntable because of the oxygen free wiring and other tone arm improvements and high quality phono cables. After many inconsistent speed issues with belt drive turntables, I am pleased with the very durable and ultra quiet brushless DC motor that powers the Technics units.
This turntable is ready to go for home enthusiasts or DJ's. It comes complete with a rubber platter mat, a slip mat, a head shell, cartridge alignment tool and a non attached dust cover. If needed, a hinge kit is available from KAB USA. All that's needed is a phono cartridge. There are many to choose from, either hi-fi or DJ.
After a few weeks of revisiting my 40+ years of vinyl, I can agree that this deck deserves the title of Grand Master.
5 of 16 found the following review helpful:
 WARNING RE. DUST COVERMar 31, 2009
I was very anxious to buy this turntable as I have longed to return to the more inspiring sounds of vinyl. Something about an LP spinning on the platter better replicates the audible excitment of a live performance. And there is something really neat about a spinning disc on a turntable. The turntable is the shrine and flipping or switching an LP is the ritual. It is a primal and ceremonial process. I have a vast inventory of CD's, and while they do often sound better nowadays due to remastering, they still don't have the electric sizzle of an LP, even with the crackles, hissing, and cleaning hassles. And, I was willing to pay for a quality product, which this clearly is.
The axiom "Less is more" comes into play here, however. I was, quite frankly, seduced by the "30th Anniversary" appeal of this particular version of the legendary SL 1200, as well as by the warm blue lights and brushed steel against the black metal case which come on this edition. And, yes, the thing is indeed great looking and well built.
The problem? The dust cover does not attach at all! It simply sits on the turntable! Talking about primitive! You have to find a place to put it while you're flipping the vinyl! (I have to put it on the floor, and just pray that my young kids or my Mini Schnauzer don't come along and jump on it!) It is a total hassle to do this, and when you put it back on it takes a lot of concentration to align it correctly. Likewise, you have to be careful to not knock the tonearm while it is playing. This is a glaring design defect in my opinion.
I called Technics to see if hinges could be obtained. I spent almost 2 hours on the phone and was transferred between various people about a dozen times. I finally got someone who grudgingly investigated the situation. (I could barely hear the guy; Panasonic's phone system needs an upgrade.) I would need to buy 17 parts (including an entirely new dustcover, according to him) to attach the cover to the base. I'm not sure of the price of all these components, but given what I paid for this expensive unit, I'm not inclined to shell out more. Then there would be the project of assembling it all, sans instructions.
Bottom-line: I'm furious. Other than DJ's, who in the world would want a turntable without an attached dustcover?????? And, at a minimum, the fact that it does not attach should be highly emphasized in the product description. (The listing says "detachable" which implies that it attaches, by definition.) (Update: the description was modified in one place after I complained to Technics.)
So, I should have bought a lesser version of this turntable (wherein the dustcovers are hinged to the units, which I think is true for most versions of the SL 1200) and saved a couple hundred bucks as well as the grief of having a product that doesn't meet my needs. I think this is a send-back, which is a hassle, and I'm out the shipping costs, both ways, because I did not buy this directly from Amazon but rather from an affiliated seller.
****UPDATE 12 APRIL 2009*****Many thanks to the person who advised me that KAB USA had hinge kits for a reasonable price. I ordered one and had it within 2 days. They installed easily and they work perfectly...the set holds the dustcover open very solidly. They definitely match the quality of the overall machine, and for my purposes (and I would presume most home audiophile listeners) they are a necessary element to a comfortably usable machine. Why they are not included in the basic package is beyond me. The dustcover still pulls off easily for those who want it out of the way. And why Technics does not sell a simple little hinge install-kit like KAB offers is also surprising. As I said, they gave me a list of 17 components I needed to buy. 17!!!
Now, apparently some DJ-types feel that hinges for the dustcover lid are unnecessary garbage....I guess the dustcover gets in the way of scratching up all that good vinyl or whatever. Those of us who want hinges on our dustcovers are, according to them, I guess, shallow poseurs in the turntable world. Our motivations are suspect. We're not cool enough for a Technic turntable, etc. Well, indeed, I'm not a scratcher. I want to simply listen to music, not compensate for an inability to play an instrument. And, for many of us who don't live in the basement at our mom's home, we reserve such emphatic passions and judgments for other interests....like girls and global warming!! But these guys are all worked up over my preference for hinges on my dustcover lid. I've committed heresy by complaining about this missing feature!! It is just not tolerated!
Now that I can open and close the lid, I'm very happy. Amazon won't let me add stars, but I'd now give it FOUR STARS (having deducted one for the hassle of having to make calls to locate the hinges, etc.). If, like me, you want a great turntable but you also want a connected dustcover, buy this model and get the hinges from KAB. You'll be set up for a few decades with a premier rock and roll machine.
As for any vinyl vs. CD debate, I think this turntable decisively concludes the issue for me: I repeatedly switched back and forth between the same album on CD and on vinyl, and the vinyl simply blows away the CD. No comparison at all. Even my Mini Schnauzer can tell the difference.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
An excellent tableJan 25, 2009
This turntable performs exceptionally well. I was able to get it up and running with absolutely no experience with vinyl turntables at all. It does come with a headshell, in case you were wondering, because I accidentally ordered another one too. If you're just getting started, there is a very helpful review I found on youtube that can teach you well how to set up the tonearm. It comes with a plastic dust-cover that doesn't attach. It also comes with a slipmat, and a cut wax sheet that helps with scratching. I highly recommend this turntable. Also, consider buying it from [...] it may be cheaper there.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A masterpeice!Mar 16, 2008
I have owned turntables costing several thousand dollars in the past. They are getting older now and I thought new one in the reasonable price range but high quality. I put in my Shure V15xMR in the arm tracking at 1g. Perfect tracking - super low rumble and no hum at all with or wo grounding. The construction is first class. This is a super bargain - it has been improved over the years. Yes you can spend a lot more - this product delivers in all the important ways. For many it is not expensive enough and has low snob appeal. If a small company were to make this turntable - my guess it would cost around > 1500.00. Panasonic has been making it for over 30 years now! Rarely does a product remain available for such a long time. The reason - this is a masterpeice!
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based on 8 reviews
