30 November 2009
By: Florin Panaitescu, Gadgets Editor
Panasonic Ceasing Technics Turntables SL1200MK5 and SL1210MK5 Production

Sad day, my friends

Technics Technics
I always get sad when a company I have complete respect for announces that it will be stopping manufacturing one of its products, even more if that product is one of the best it has ever made. Case in point, what I am now talking about is Technics, that has Panasonic behind it, revealing that it will be ceasing the production of the most famous turntables in the world (and I really mean and know that), namely the Technics SL 1200MK5 and the 1210MK5. "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." Sad day for the discerning users, for the DJs, turntablists and many others that were keen on the 1200 and 1210 MK5 turntables. What the company is actually doing is to mark a clearer line between the flagship 1210MK5G and the MK2 models, renouncing the MK5 series that usually confused matters for the non-discerning users. I really don't care about that, but I mind of the company's decision to stop producing the top notch, the world's most beloved turntable. I played with both of the models, the 1200 and the 1210MK5, and know those like the palm of my hand. Without any hesitation, I can easily state that those are the best turntables I put my hands on, and so do many friends and DJs. I can only get sick to the stomach with posers that keep stating they abandoned the "outdated" medium in favor of the commodity and ease of use of digital tune libraries (I won't name them because they're not worthy of a free advert).
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SL-1210MK5 Quartz Synthesizer Direct-Drive Turntable
Drive Method Motor Turntable Platter
Direct-Drive Brushless DC motor Aluminum diecast Diameter: 13 5/64" (33.2cm) Mass: 3.74 lbs (1.7 kg) 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm 8% 1.3 lb-in (1.5 kg-cm) 0.7s from standstill to 33-1/3 rpm Electronic brake 0.01% WRMS 0.025% WRMS (JIS C5521) 0.035% peak (IEC 98A Weighted) -56dB (IEC 98A Unweighted) -78dB (IEC Weighted). Universal 9-1/16" (230mm) 0-6mm 19/32" (15mm) 12g (without cartridge) 22 Less than 7mg (lateral, vertical) Within 2 32' (at the outer groove of 12" record) Within 0 32' (at the inner groove of 12" record) 0-4g 3.5g - 13g 11g - 20.5g (including headshell) 9.5g - 13g 17g - 20.5g (including headshell) 3.5g - 6.5g 11g - 14g (including head shell) 7.5g AC120V, 60Hz 13.5W 6 /32'' x 17 /32'' x 13 /32'' 26.5 lbs
Turntable Speeds Variable Range Pitch Starting Torque Build-Up Characteristics Braking System Wow and Flutter
Rumble Tonearm Section Type Effective Length Arm Height Adjustment Range Overhang Effective Mass Offset Angle Friction Tracking Error Angle Stylus Pressure Adjustment Range Applicable Cartridge Weight Range Applicable Cartridge Weight Range (with auxiliary weight) Applicable Cartridge Weight Range (with shell weight) Headshell Weight Power Supply Power Consumption Dimensions (H x W x D) Weight