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Technics SL-1200M3D

DJ-friendly direct-drive turntable

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Our take on the Technics SL-1200M3D

The classic silver styling and impeccable construction of Technic's latest "wheel of steel" will make any professional DJ's (or analog music buff's) heart thump! Like other manually operated, direct drive turntables from Technics, it features a high torque motor for quick start-ups (from standstill to 33-1/3 rpm in 7/10 of a second), plus unwavering quartz-locked accuracy at 33-1/3 or 45 rpm. Quartz lock control is even maintained while using the ±8% continuous pitch adjustment — very cool! But the SL-1200M3D adds a few special DJ-friendly features to all these favorites.

For example, the power button is recessed, so you won't accidentally turn the unit off while it's playing — a club DJ's nightmare. Plus, the hinge-free dust cover gives you unobstructed access to your turntable while it's in motion — and an easy way to cover and protect it when it's not. The SL-1200M3D even comes with a disc slip pad to let your vinyl move easily during "scratch" play.

You don't give up the solid construction that Technics has made famous for the last two decades, either. Just like its predecessors, the SL-1200M3D features a highly-sensitive low-mass tonearm with gimbal suspension. The durable precision-molded aluminum die-cast platter and cabinet, and heavy rubber base material help absorb unwanted vibrations. Adjust the oversized insulating feet for precise leveling. Plugs into your receiver or mixer's phono inputs.

Details:

  • quartz direct drive
  • high-torque motor
  • disc slip pad included
  • hinge-free dust cover
  • manual operation
  • pitch adjustment (±8%)
  • adjustable stylus pressure, overhang, and anti-skating
  • tonearm height adjustment
  • 45-rpm adapter
  • minor assembly and setup required
  • wow & flutter 0.01%
  • 17-13/16"W x 6-5/8"H x 14-1/4"D
  • warranty: 1 year
  • Requires standard mount cartridge (not included).
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What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • Silver and gray turntable with installed tone arm; 38" attached stereo RCA patch cord and ground wire terminated in a spade lug; Attached 5.5' AC cord; clear plastic dust cover; Rubber Turntable mat; Disc slip sheet (used instead of mat for "scratching" a disc; Transparent sheet for use with Disc slip sheet; Shell with stylus weight; Balance weight; Auxiliary counterweight; 45 rpm record adapter; Shell weight; overhand gauge; manual; Survey card; ServiceCenter list; warranty card; Panasonic Customer Care Plan card (optional extra-cost extended warranty); 2 self-adhesive Technics stickers

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Controls
Special Features
Specifications
Notes

Controls

  • Power on/off rotary switch: Turns the unit on, the speed indicator for 33-1/3 and the strobe turn on.
  • Start/Stop button: Starts the platter rotation or stops it.
  • 33 and 45 buttons: Change speed, this model will normally start at 33-1/3 so if you want to play 45 you push the 45 button after turning the power on.
  • Pitch Adjustment lever and reset button
  • Cueing lever (tonearm up/down)
  • Arm lift height adjustment
  • Anti skating control: Rotary dial

Special Features

Fully Manual Operation: You must manually start and stop playback on this turntable. There are no automatic functions.

This turntable requires a standard mount (not a P-mount) cartridge (cartridge not included). Although assembly and set up are fairly easy and explained in the manual note that it involves mounting a cartridge to a headshell.

Quartz Locked Control: This control provides almost perfect speed control. Unlike most other quartz turntables, quartz lock control is maintained when pitch is adjusted (+/-8%). Pitch is adjusted with a large sliding lever on the right of the platter which has a green LED. The sliding level is marked in increments of 1% pitch change. There are four lines of platter markings indicating +6%, +3.3%, 0% (exact speed) and -3.3% change from rated speed.  There is a reset button next to the sliding level which when pressed immediately returns the speed to the preset speed of 33 1/3 or 45 rpm and illuminates the green LED.  When the reset button is pressed again, it will return to the adjusted pitch.

Red LED strobe-illumination: A red LED illuminates the platter markings on the left side of the platter. The LED is synchronized with the quartz frequency of the drive so it is extremely precise.

The turntable base is aluminum die-cast and the underside of the base is a heavy rubber material for vibration resistance and absorption. The turntable also has four large insulating feet which can be adjusted for exact leveling. These features make this unit perfect for use with extremely high sound pressure levels, such as in DJ use.

This model uses an integral rotor/platter motor (the magnet of the motor is attached to the turntable platter) which allows the platter to reach its operating speed very quickly (.7s to 33 1/3). This is crucial in functions that require fast cueing such as DJs and radio broadcasting.

Stylus illuminator with white illumination allows you to view the stylus tip during play. The illuminator can be raised up which turns on the light, or it can be lowered which turns off the light.  This allows for cueing in poorly illuminated environments.

"Scratch Play" sheet: When the turntable is used for "scratch play", you remove the turntable mat and use the provided disc slip sheet to allow the record to be easily moved during play. For a different type of slip the supplied transparent sheet is placed under the disc slip sheet.  Please remember that a stylus which is capable of "scratch play" must be used or you will risk destroying the stylus!

Specifications

Turntable Specifications:

  • Power consumption: 14 watts

  • Weight: 26.4 Lbs.

  • Turntable type: Quartz direct drive manual turntable

  • Drive method: Direct drive

  • Motor: Brushless DC motor

  • Turntable platter: Aluminum die-cast, diameter 13-5/64", weight 3.74 Lbs.

  • Starting torque: 1.3 LB-in (great for DJs who need quick start ups)

  • Build-up characteristics: .7 second from standstill to 33-1/3 RPM

  • Braking system: Electronic brake (quick stops)

  • Wow and flutter: .01% WRMS, .025% WRMS (JIS C5521), +/-.035% peak (IEC 98A weighted)

  • Rumble: -56dB (IEC 98A Unweighted); -78 dB (IEC 98A Weighted)

Tonearm Specifications:

  • Type: Universal (uses standard mount cartridge, not provided)

  • Effective length: 9-1/16"

  • Arm Height Adjustment Range: 0-6mm

  • Overhang: 19/32" (15mm)

  • Effective mass: 12 grams (without cartridge)

  • Offset angle: 22 degrees

  • Friction: Less than 7mg (lateral, vertical)

  • Tracking error angle: Within 2 degrees 32' (at outer groove of 12" record, Within 0 degrees 32' (at inner groove of 12" record

  • Stylus pressure adjustment range: 0-4 grams

  • Cartridge weight range: 3.5-13 gram; 17-20.5 gram when using auxiliary weight

Notes

Note: The dust cover on this unit simply rests on top of the unit, it does not attach.  Although the instructions in the manual are not clear on this, the hinge assembly on the rear of the platform and the dust cover have been removed and/or covered making it impossible to attach the dust cover - this is not a "defect;" it is the way the unit is designed!

This turntable requires a standard mount (not a P-mount) cartridge to use (cartridge not included). Although assembly and set up are fairly easy and explained in the manual note that it involves mounting a cartridge to a headshell.

Quick Set Up Guide (This is NOT complete, for complete instructions see manual)

1. Install turntable platter
2. Install cartridge (not provided) to headshell
3. Adjust overhang using provided gauge
4. Attach headshell to tonearm
5. Install balance weight
6. Adjust horizontal zero balance and stylus pressure
7. Adjust anti-skating control
8. Adjust tonearm height to match cartridge height

 

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Technics SL-1200M3D