You know where you are with Technics! (Technics SL-1200MK5)

Member Name: danball

Product:	Technics SL-1200MK5
Date:	10/02/09 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Build quality.

Disadvantages: Would be good to have a wider pitch range.

This is yet another update to the industry standard direct drive Technics SL1200 turntable. To be honest, this is not massively different to the M3 edition, the most noticeable difference is the white LED light and the anti-skate control (which I never adjust anyway).

As with all Technics, this plays records at either 33 or 45 rpm and you have the option to select the speed between -8% and +8%. This turntable also has the 'pitch reset' button which, if pressed, ignores the pitch selected on the fader and plays the record as if at 0%. A nice feature, although I hardly use it.

Putting the cartridge and stylus together was a tricky job but these things always are. After doing a fair few over the years I can do it fairly quickly but newcomers should always read the instructions very carefully before attempting it.

This is a great looking turntable, I prefer this to the black 1210 model which has the exact same specifications, which can take an astonishing amount of abuse. Technics turntables are famous for their longevity, often lasting for years. These are no exception. The only thing that may need to be done to this turntable is some cleaner sprayed into the pitch slider to keep it gliding smoothly and not sticking.

I would highly recommend this turntable to anyone who does not mind investing in quality audio equipment.

Summary: Excellent turntable.

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