Which Sounds Better? The Technics SL-1210 Mk2 or the mighty SL-1200G - Audio Comparison Video!
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- Опубліковано 20 лис 2023
- Here's a comparison a lot of people have been asking for - the Technics SL-1200G vs the older 1210 Mk.2
Same cartridge, same platter mat, same tracking weight, bias, VTA. Which do you think sounds better and why?
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Recording digitised using the following equipment:
Phono Stage: Classic Audio MM Pro (available from michaelfidler.com)
Digital Recorder: Tascam DA-3000
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#technics #technics1210 #audiophile
Technics against the Linn LP12 coming soon :-)
That was a lifechanger for me… from that day , I use Technics turtables…
this will open a rabbit hole :D
@@Popk1ller 😀😀it worth to climb out from the hole!😀😀😀😀
soon please!
@@Grimwriggler 😁sorry to shot down the excitement!☺️
The G has better clarity of all sounds and transients. G has better tone and detail. The G has more space around notes. The MK2 sounds smaller and has less dynamics and everything seems crushed together (less space between sounds)
G is a clear winner and a very noticeable step up from the mk2. Clearly Technics engineers did a lot of measurements during the design in lowering unwanted vibrations to achieve this low noise floor.
Thanks for the excellent comparison video 🙏👍
You chose the right track to test them…
Both sound Brilliant !!
Agree 👍
The timbre of the guitars sound more lively and articulate on the 1210. This is a surprise, I was expecting the 1200G to best it considering the brass platter and magnesium tonearm but theres a reason the MK2 is timeless and legendary.
The Technics SL-1200G is a fantastic piece of equipment, but The Technics SL-1210 Mk2, in this presentation, sounds just as good as the G version. Thank you for taking the time to do this and sharing the results with the world. Much appreciated! Listening through Beyerdynamic headphones. Great choice of music by the way.
Thanks Phil! Because of this song I just found a great old album from Talk Talk! Awesome
It's one of the best LPs I own. Enjoy!
A great album!
The Mk2. Very well done a/b. Each time it goes to the Mk2 you can distinctly hear the soundstage open up wider and higher. Working in live performance arena this is what should be achieved. Going back to the g shows how nothing is diminished, because as many have said they cant hear much difference. That's the way your brain processes it, g > mk2 hey there is more, mk2 > g (source/root) sounds same. I hope everyone remembered to take off the Auto UA-cam and put max resolution manually.
Ok. I have the GR and also the 1210mk2 and a M3D. The GR has more resolution, depth and the higher end is more open. I love all of them but the GR is a step above. The first time I tried the GR I was floored how wide the sound stage opened up. For reference I have the Gold Note PH-10 phono stage. I will install my 1210 mk2 again and make a comparison again. If my GR sounds so good I can imagine how the G or the GAE would sound like. Kudos for this video 👍 thank you
To clarify also, my mk2 and M3D have the KAB fluid damper and Isonoe feet and it surely improves the sound. Thank you!
SL 1210
3:40 They both sound very close, but this part sounds a little more confined on the MK2. The G sounds a little less constricted. It’s a minuscule difference, but I could probably let it slide. I’d take either one of them :)
I agree
Agree, especially considering the significant price difference!
Don't notice a difference, both sound amazing.
??? are very different.
@@MauroGuerreiroYou cannot possibly hear the difference between turntables that are so simmilarly built, have the same cartridge, same preamp and are recorded with the same digital recorder and don't try to convince me
@@pavaomrazekNot over UA-cam, in the room you probably could.
@@nocturnal1970 Name the factor that affects the sound of the turntable because I cannot seem to find it...
@@pavaomrazek I can't, but my ears can. The greatest brightness and more harmonic in MK.2 are immediately detected. I can differentiate them with my eyes closed. And I assure you that, who posted too can. Why do you think he posted this question?
Приветствую вас, Друзья! Thank's Phil 👍
SL 1210👍
@@Borisyt482, доброго вечера, Сергей ☕
Также голосую 🖐️ за SL
@@Chingachgook61рад вас лицезреть! 🖐️🥪🍮
The 1200g takes it for me. Just... 'more' of everything, though tbf at least through youtube it was closer than I would have thought.
btw -Talk Talk = Legends.
The mighty SL-1200G Wins but i prefere the mightier Linn👍👍
If it was so good in the first place, why all the upgrades?
And after decades of saying £25 Philips AC motors are the best, why switch to DC? Not an admission that Pink Triangle were right, surely?
I'm so impressed with my inexpensive SL-1200 MK 7 .
Fantastic machine !
You really proved your point here; they are too close to tell with the same cartridge under the same conditions. This is a true testament to the SL1210 Mk2, more so than the more expensive 1200G as it should have been a runaway with all of that new technology of the 1200G built in. I actually want to see this done with the newer SL-1210GR vs SL-1200G to see how close it is tech for tech. Thank you for your time.
I agree - GR vs G would be another interesting comparison. If I can get my hands on one, I'll be sure to do a video!
The 1200G is smoother and more cohesive from the upper mid range to the treble range.
Bass is also fuller and more articulate on the 1200g.
On first listening, they are very close. After a couple of subsequent listening sessions, the difference it pretty obvious.
the g seems to open everything up! wow
The thing I noticed the most was how much more quiet the 1200g is
SL-1210 Mk2
WOW - What a fantastic track !!! 👌💯 ... so well done ! ❤
I have been djing for over 20 years and repairing turntables for over 10 years. I used MK2's for most of my career but to be honest their not the best sounding turntables especially in the highs. The best sounding turntables ive come across are the Gemini PT series. I did a A-B test on a Gemini PT 2100 vs Technics SL 1200 MK2 and the Gemini sounded way better especially in the highs. I believe the Technics SL 1200 G would lose to the Gemini PT 2100 as well in the sound department being that the G is only slightly better than the MK2 in sound. The best way to test is take a bad sounding record and see what table plays it better sound wise.
Given that the prices are too high and differences are too low, I would opt for MK2. 😛
I know that listening through my phone speaker isn't the best way to do it and I don't hear much of a difference that way, but if I'm not mistaken, the G seemed a little smoother on the transients. The recording is crystal clear on both. Phone speaker is actually great for that. As always, thank you for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving.
For me, Mk.2 sounds better, more brilliant e more harmonics.
it is important to know that both of these models have the same tin plated copper strand wires inside the arm wand. Only the 1000R has pure copper strand. Tin plated copper will tend to darken the top octaves. As a result, it makes it very difficult to compare other aspects of the two models. Technics seems to have a policy that only the top model gets pure copper in the tonearm. This was true back in the older series with only the MK4, M5G, MK6 featuring the better wire. But those models were more affordable than a 1000R!
I'd honestly have to say, I can't hear much difference. I'm sure someone on here will tell me I'm wrong though! Thanks Phil and if you don't upload before then, have a nice Christmas and thanks for earlier!
I don't hear much of a difference and I'm pretty sure I would fail a blind-test. They both sound fantastic! I'm sure the 1200G/GAE is super nice and a more refined product than MK2. That alone makes it a worthy purchase. I would love to have one.
But I can't see much of a reason to upgrade from a MK2 for sound quality reasons alone. Now, I believe the G has slighty lower tonearm friction at 5 mg vs 7 mg for the MK2. Tonearm geometry is the same though. They both have got the exact same specs, for rumble -78dB and wow and flutter at 0.025%.
And that's really everything a turntable has to do right, spin the record at the right speed with little deviation and keep noise and vibrations at bay. Since the tonearm is basically the same there really shouldn't be any audible difference. I know Technics claim the new motor eliminates the dreaded "cogging". But is there any evidence cogging were ever anaudible issue with the older models? Not really. If the cogging really was an issue, it would show up when wow and flutter is measured,
I kind suspect Technics knew they had to say something about cogging since there's this whole audiophile mythology around that. But if you were to ask the actual engineers who developed each version they'd probably say something else.
Agree - 'cogging' is a non issue invented by armchair experts.
Can’t really hear much difference probably due to sound compression in youtube. However, that hana cart sounds really good to my ears. Currently have hana eh on my new sl 1210 gr2, tracks well and sounds neutral. Still waiting for my preamp to be assembled, in the mean time it all hooked to my studio setup where I can use some analog tape plugins to make it sound good. ML or mh is definitely in the future.
My wife says it's definitely the 1200, she says it sounds much softer than the 1210. I like the voice color of the 1210 more than the 1200.
Hi Phil, if I had to choose now, I would go for the 1210. It all sounds very clean and pure, a little more metallic than the 1200, but it would be too low for me and because the vocals are so much nicer. Kind regards Dirk
The SL1210-MK11 and not just because I own one🙏
Pretty sure, both Technics sound excellent. similar to my SL-Q2, SL-M1 (T4P) and SL-5100, but not as good as DENON DP-57L and DP-59L. 😁😉
For me...The Technics SL-1210 Mk2
Honestly thought this was a Trick question given how similar they both sound, both excellent though btw!
With technology The 1200g should sound amazingly better but the mk2 will last forever built like a tank. That's what put technics out of business in the past.
"this" was NOT the reason Technics died ☝️
Information, how did Technics die?
@@bobbyinalaska.4186 Vinyl sales crashed and Technics stopped production.
@@AceTechHD half story
For me, the 1200G gives better balance.
The 1200G is the best !!
More relaxed sound...
Thanks for the video !! 👍👍
@AudioPhil
With just a quick listen on my studio monitors, the first thing that I noticed is that the definition of the snare drum was cleaner with more apparent air and separation from other elements in the mix on the G. And this seemed to follow through to the entire mix. Similar observations as @hifivaliant8937
The 1210 Mk 2 has quite a bit more of a lift/presence boost and graininess/grittiness in the treble region...a little scratchy on the shakers, etc.
Fantastic album.
classy machines
The 1210 sounds brighter..but the 1200 sounds richer fuller..
Great stuff that Technics is back again. Thorens build DD as well now. Of cause there will be no Lustre Koshin GST-810 again 😁
I wonder if DENON would revival their Servo Tracers. 🤔 presumably not, so Technics rules the Turntables 👍
wow, I didn't expect this, but 1210mk2 have for my ear more pleasant sound than 1200g ♫
I use the sl1200 mk2 myself (silver)
Haha i was considering how it sounds vs 1200g
1200g sounds a little better here (but the differences r too little to justify that much extra cost), i would say sound diff is about 10% off
But to hardcore audiophiles who want one of the best direct drive, i guess its alright to go for the g haha
I'm not gonna lie, I grew up with an SL23 and I always thought it sounded great thru my old (RIP) MDR V6's, but the tone quality of both of these thru some logitech buds is incredible and they aren't remotely for high end listening lol
❤️❤️Love in both ❤️❤️🦅🎶🦅🎶
Hello dear Phil, I find the 1210 more metallic on the instruments. But the singing sounds like more space behind the voice, i.e. more vocal range. The 1200 sounds very nice and soft with the instruments, but the vocals lack depth and breadth. I wish you and your family a wonderful pre-Christmas season. Kind regards Dirk
Mk 2 sounds a tab better. Each time the switch is made to sl-1200G the sound dips slightly.
I came here thinking I wont hear the difference, but the 1200 sounds better to me! It's warmer.
The 1200 G has a flat sound. The 1210 has a sound stage, or more imaging. This was listened to on my phone with. A set of JBL headphones. Have to relisten though my big system for a better analysis.
Mi pregunta ...en que radicaria la diferencia .....lo cierto es una hermosa cancion de talk talk......
Мне понравилось , супер !!!
Identical quality
Mk2 sounds a bit brighter and open. Then again it brings distortions to the foreground while 1200g sounds cleaner. Impossible to say which is better since we do not know how the recording is supposed to sound.
Maybe it's because I'm used to the sound of my two 1210MK2s but I still prefer their sound. The differences are minimal but I find the sound of the MK2 more natural and spacious. The G is certainly precise, but less natural to my ears. Out of curiosity: which video was made first? From experience, when I record the same album twice in sequence I find similar differences.
Thanks for the interesting comparison!
Good question! I did the 1210 first followed by the G
@@AudioPhil1 I would have bet! Sometimes, for some reason, I have to record the same track twice and generally the first take is always the one with the sound I prefer because it seems more natural to me. This could mean that the difference between the two Technics is very minimal! Thank you!
The 1210 sounds like it has more defined highs. At least on my system with my ears lol
There is no big difference.
Some musical instruments sound better on the Mk2 , some on the 1200G.
It seems to me that 1200G sounds cleaner.
#TALKTALK COLOUR OF SPRINGS 1986
1210 Mk2 sounds more crisp / highs more attentuated, especially noticeable on the rattle percussion.
Exactly !!👍👍
It seems to me that SL-1200G lil more sonorous...
I'd rather the 1210, but they are very close!
Can somebody explain to me how can someone hear a difference between these two? They're both Technics, both direct drive, both built out of metal, both fitted with the same cartridge and connected to the same preamp AND recorded with the same digital recorder. Turntable is basically just a plate that spins. It doesn't have a sound signature and its only job is to keep the speed constant and correct. I don't understand...
Tonearm is different like the insulation of the turntable against internal and external vibrations...
That's all. 😊
@@fanclub670 Interesting! I thought these two are almost the same!
As @fanclub670 says - though the motor design is also different between the G and the 1210, and the G also weighs significantly more. It does go to show that the original design was right though...
@@AudioPhil1 Does it affect the sound?
Debatable. Both are excellent, and there's really not a huge difference between them. If I didn't already own the G, I'd buy a clean 1210 Mk2, a decent cartridge and phono stage, some records and still have money left over :-)
I’m honestly preferring the g version , but saying that it’s from the iPad
1210
Cant really hear a difference. But then again i'm using bt earphones
What do you do when your stylist goes bad on your moving coil cartridge you paid a $1000 for. Do you have to buy an entire new cartridge for another $1000.
You get it retipped
@@Ailgadem how do you go about doing that, where do u send it, how much does that cost, how many times can you do that? Thanks. Interested in mc cart but unsure yet.
You could get it re-tipped as per the comment below - though most manufacturers would also give you a trade in value against a new model - I've never had a re-tipped cart, that's not to say they're bad, I'd just rather a brand new one.
I own a MK2 so I am biased :D
👌👌👌🌹🌹🌹
….its close, very close… but the SL-1210 in the slight…
more retro 😂
The mk2 sounds fine. You can put it on and nothing sounds wrong if not referencing it to anything else. The G is better in every way. Clearer, more open including the imaging, bass tighter with better definition and weight, music "speaks" better, voices and basically everything more believable, better expression of dynamics, more variation in the colors of the each thing in the music, etc.
The G is a little harder sounding in spots, but that sounds more like its letting through what's on the record and the mk2 is muddying/smoothing that over.
I've heard comparisons where the mk2 had it's power supply replaced with an external one. It made a nice difference. I am curious what it would also do with a G.
Ich glaube der Technics SL 12000 g klingt klarer der andere steuert etwas mehr den tieftöner an.
They both sound excellent. The G sounds slightly, just very slightly better: effortless and airy.
Splitting hairs... very hard to tell any major differences on first quick listening.
They both sound about the same, maybe hard to tell on UA-cam.
With the SL 1200G the voice sounds more natural
I hear more vocal depth and detail in the MK2 and slightly warmer. Hana is always my fave.
The MK2 sounds better. The bass on the 1200G is a bit too loud, maybe this is his the brickwalled cousin? :)
The MK2 sounds a bit boxed
1200G by a small margin
I have a mk2 wouldn't sell it for anything else and it makes crappie recordings sound great i used to own a linn lp12 what a pain in the arse they are
Neither! My Pioneer PLX-1000 sounds better! Just kidding!😄 But I personally think it's every bit as good to me! SL-1210 MK2 sounds more spacious and the snare drum sounds nicer!
SL-1200G for me...
Фил первый
1200 G is slightly better, brighter
The g sounds more liquid and revealing in the voce to me on my small system and more liquid smooth there but they over all sound the same and without the instant a/b as you do here I’d never tell the difference I bet. They sound like twins. This systems a limited edition #1 of 200 made moon audio I -5 70 watt of I remember right with the Yaggdrisile DAC into that using optical input all sent to the small bookshelf JM Lab utopia beryllium be’s also a limited run of I recall.
And my ears aren’t at Theo beat lately so thats the beat I can tell.
These tweeters are the smoother side so maybe others will hear different. They have a softer feel than most others to me.
I need to get my tube mono blocks unpacked from the move and it has a tube Cary into 500w Rogue audio mono blocks and the same DAC with the same speakers but hey are the larger alto utopias.
It’s been over a year since I having that system running because I dread unpacking the speakers here in the desolate mountains alone.
Not fun.
Had help packing them to move.
1200G has more extended and textured bass and more pronounced highs, and just more punchy and present. 1210 sounds compressed and gray, dull in comparison.
Nothing
SL-1200G better!
The audio technica sounds better 😂 obviously
That's the question !! 👀👀
1200G easy.
The 1200g sound has much more depth. The 1210mk2 sounds flat.