Advantages: same turntable at home as in the clubs
Disadvantages: heavy

...Technics 1200 / 1210 what more can you say its the number one DJ turntable on the planet. For years and years when i was younger just geting in to Djing all i wanted was a pair of technics. after a few years with other direct drive decks i finally saved enough money to buy a pair i of technics, i bought the SL1200Mk2 because they were silver i did not like the brown of the 1210 much. i have read around and talked to people and aparently the only difference between the 1200 and the 1210 is the colour. I set up my new 1200s and got the tunes out. Wow what a turntable, after years of trying out all other types of direct drive turntables i could instantly see and feel the difference in build quality. the technics weight alot compared to any other turntable, this is because the bottom black base you see is not made of cheap moulded... Read review

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Advantages: Gorgeous looks, LCD information, reverse play, 78 rpm, tonearm height adjust, Best Alternative to Technics for the money
Disadvantages: pitch control feels a bit cheap, nothing else really at this price

...For a long time, the only turntables which DJs would even consider using were the Technics SL-1200/1210's. Then came Vestax, who were technically (that is to say, on paper) better than Technics. Numark have never released a Technics contender, until they released the Pro-TT-1. Of course, it all depends on what setup you have and your mixing style et al. You look at the Pro TT-1 and you realise that it was designed for the higher market of DJ turntables. Its silver finish Basically, the features are the same as Technics (e.g. tonearm height adjustment), but you get the added noticible features of 78RPM play (for people who own such records!), reverse play and an LCD display which shows all the information about the operation of the turntable in real time. There's also a button which snaps to Quartz play or Pitch play. You can... Read review

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Advantages: Ahem. They're record decks.
Disadvantages: Where shall I start?

...certainly not recommend for you to buy these if you were looking for a pair of cheap direct drive decks. They handle as if they are belt drive, and there really are better value ones available, which is why I am currently saving up for what have generally been regarded as the best quality and most reliable decks for the past 25 years, Technics SL-1210s. Basically, there are two types of deck, belt drive and direct drive. I won't go into the details of what makes them work differently, but the main difference between the two is the amount of torque (power with which the deck is turned). On a belt drive deck, it is very low torque. If you were to touch the record on a belt drive deck, with the intention of slowing it down, the turntable will slow down and take a while to get up to the speed it was previously at. This makes it very difficult... Read review

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Advantages: Industry Standard Decks
Disadvantages: Technology being left behind??

...I have had a set of Technic 1210's for around two years now. The design (even up to the MK5 Specials) still has not changed. This may cause a problem due to Technic's competition increasingly undercutting the price of 1210's and having decks which are more advanced technology wise. For example compare the Stanton STR8150 & Vestax PDX2300, with the Technic 1210s or even the 1210's MK5G's and you will see what i mean. This turntable is the industry standard (although i donot know how long for), it has pitch control -8 to +8, lights etc, huge torque (essential), anti-skate control, head shells, adjustable tone arms etc. Altogether a good solid turntable. The motor is almost gauranteed to keep this turntable turning for years and years, the quality of the work manship & quality of the components are apparent throughout this turntable... Read review

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Advantages: Industry Standard, Good Feel, Good Looks, Sturdy
Disadvantages: Price, Minimal Pitch Control

...Whether you want to get into DJing or you are upgrading from a less expensive deck, the technics is the way to go! this deck is built like a tank, it feels as good as it costs, and is an all round excellent turntable whether you scratch, mix just use it to play vinyl. The only problem with the deck, and it is a minor one, is that the pitch control only goes 8% each way. This means that the decks can mix music fine if you specialise in one genre or mix music with similair speeds, but the decks can mix music from one extreme to another. However, I find that once the pitch gets to, say, 12% or more, the music sounds ridiculously slow or fast, so the pitch range available should be fine for most people. If the expense of the deck intimidates you, you might want to conisder picking up just one deck to start with, then when you have... Read review

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Advantages: Too many to list.
Disadvantages: One minor defect (see conclusion)

...records that you are trying to play in time with each other. After about 3 years of frustration with these turntables and not really being able to play anywhere else but in my bedroom (since any parties, clubs used the Technics 1210 which were a lot different to what I was used to), I applied for a credit card, got accepted (silly people) and bam! Two weeks later, they arrived. I had heard a lot about these decks from various friends but never realised how different and advanced they were to my old pair of decks. Although the price range was about £340 each, they certainly were worth their weight in 'die-cast aluminium'. Read on... ----------------------------------------------------------------- Little bit of history for those who are interested... ----------------------------------------------------------------- Technics were the people... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: can't go wrong
Disadvantages: overpriced

...It's the same review as the Technics SL-1200 MK5 because the only difference between the SL-1200 MK5 and SL-1210 MK5 is the colour. The SL-1200 is silver and the SL1210 is black. Not many people realise it. The amount of people I've met who say "yeah...the 1210's are better aren't they!?" and "the 1210's are more powerful". When I was trying to sell 1200's MK2, I had difficulty selling them to 2nd hand stores because the shops were only after 1210's because of this illusion that the 1210 is a better deck With my experience of this turntable I would say it is a very good turntable for the use of Dj'ing. The only thing I dont agree with about this turntable is the price. As other Dj turntables produces began to make turntables of the same quality and standard for lower prices the technics deck is starting to become outdated. Though... Read review

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Advantages: Great little deck
Disadvantages: Looks a bit dated

...These little darlings were banging out tunes to dancefloors when people were raving with White gloves and a whistle in their mouths. In fact these decks were where most of the big name DJs would have cut their vinyl teeth. Yes the SL1200 would now look decidedly more at home in someones house or flat due to their Shiny aluminium look. The shiny look as replace the black metal look in home Hi Fi so dig out your 1200s and get the parties going again. There is very little difference between the 1200 and the 1210 other than the colour. Both are direct Drive masterpieces of mixing engineering. Technics buit their legendary name in the club world on the back of these decks while the 1210 has taken it to new heights. Both set ups have a pitch control of +8/-8 and are instant Start/Stop so pick up time is nil. Great for the beginner... Read review

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Advantages: Durability, Image, Usability, Layout, Strength, Power
Disadvantages: Price (But you can work around this), Some say demise of vinyl (I dont agree)

...I have to say that I completley agree with everything that the previous reviewer has written about these decks. They are industry standard and there is a reason why you will find them in every club in the world. They are one of the best investments that you will ever make. I bought my pair a year ago as my first decks after deciding to make the next step in my love of music. The were 2-3 years old then and I have not had one single problem since I bought. The budget I gave myself was £600 max to start out including mixer, headphones and a couple of basslines to start my collection. I had two options, being get some Stantons or Numarks..etc new or get some 1210s.. After seeking advise from my various mates who had decks and reading up about them I opted for the Technics. I got mine second hand from an internet auction site and I... Read review

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Advantages: Well Built
Disadvantages: None

...Do you remeber vinyl records - black plastic discs that scratched easily and came in 12" and 7" flavours. Well if you're in your early teens you probably will not know what I'm talking about. Unless you love dance music and collect dance tracks on 12". Well Technic SL1210's are record decks used in pubs and clubs throughout the world to play this old form of media. If you want to set yourself up as a DJ and learn the art of mixing, then a good bet are the Technics SL1210-MK2 or the 1200's. They are expensive retailing around £350 each and in this day and age probably no the best available (technically at least). What you do get for your hard earned dollar is an extremely well built record player, that can take some serious wear and tear. The decks are available in two colours silver(sl1200) and black(sl1210... Read review

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