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REVIEW: Technics by Panasonic SL-1210M5G Turntables

Model:	SL-1210M5G
Category:	Turntables
Suggested Retail Price:	$699.95
Description:	Turntable
Manufacturer URL:	Technics by Panasonic
Model Picture:	View

Review by hairydog on May 13, 2011 at 11:11:58 IP Address: 12.40.175.147

Add Your Review for the SL-1210M5G

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This is for MK5 not MK5G. SL1200 a is table I have seen and obviously heard about for years but never really heard in a good system or in my own system. It seems this thing is the Grado of turntables, been around for years largely unchanged, and there are alot of "Hot threads" on the forums regarding it, it has it's devout lovers and its detractors, some claiming its inferiority, others hailing its perfection. I had to put aside preconceptions and at the same time felt I was coming to it with a oh no did I do the wrong thing attitude, but when I played records all those notions were dispelled. For myself I have to say I have been a belt drive user for years and never questioned it's supposed superiority until recently. The SL1200 is a good table by any measure and I fell in love with its musicality, the way it plays the records, so I can identify with another SL1200 reviewer when he mentions "Pace". A common term in the press whatever the hell it means. I did hear an unidentifiable musical drive from the SL1200 that I wasnt getting from my Rega. Like that reviewer here, I scratched my head saying how can the Japanese table have more of that than the Rega, is'nt this what the Rega is famous for? In actual listening the Technics has more body, balls and drive to its sound and to me is more enjoyable. The Regas (I've used P3, 5 and 7)are more detailed and image better, but I like the way the Technics plays records better. The Rega and the LInn are always called "musical", but in listening I found the Rega is more about information retrieval (at least the 5 and 7, the 3 is actually closer to the 1200 than those 2). If I am honest with myself as I went up the Rega line I got more "performance" but somehow longed for my old 3. Actually I had similar experience with Jupiter Vs. Saturn cdp. I don't really care about "ambient cues". However The 1200 will throw up a pretty decent stage with proper set up and cartridge choice. The Ortofon Blue it staged very nicely, the Grado still good but now we had the delicious Grado tonality, this was where I want to be. I find the 1200 sound to be very "together" or cohesive as the brits might say, I dont hear "grey" in the mids, with the Grado they are nicely sweet and meaty. The SL1200 Grado "Longhorn" combo has made records fun again the way I felt when I got my first Rega 3 years ago. I understand the reasons why many people love Regas and would prefer them to a 1200. I can also understand why the 1200 has longtime devotees and is gaining new ones by the day. In short I am a 1200 convert. By no means am I telling people to try one you'll love it, I'm only saying I had to find out for myself and I'm glad I did. Btw the table was used bone stock w/ Rega amp and speakers. Carts were Ortofon blue and Grado silver 'n Gold "longhorn".

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Product Weakness:	Out of production
Product Strengths:	Meaty musical sound with drive which I enjoy.

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	Rega Elicit
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rega Jupiter
Speakers:	Rega RS3
Cables/Interconnects:	Supra/AQ
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz classical pop rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 13 x 9
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	home use

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