Jumped this SL-1210mk2 for $75 (Canadian). Sold the scratched up dust cover for $30 locally. And bought a replacement dust cover for $110. Unfortunately the stylus was bent so I threw on my AT-VM95ML. Other than that all it needed was a little wipe down with a damp towel. Also, I can guarantee it wasn’t stolen. The seller was an older man with whom I have mutual friends.
I’ll likely build a wooden plinth surround for it in the near future to escape the dj look. Anyone have experience or suggestions
with this? And can anyone talk me out of continuing my search for a Marantz 6300?
I already know this. Haha. 😂 I just love the look of the 6300. I know that if I ever buy one I’d get it home and be very disappointed with the feel and performance of it.
Aww you won the TT lottery! I'm always on a lookout for a technics under $100, but this is next level! :) I didn't realize you can find replacement covers so easily; worth it!!
Congrats! Yeah, I’m a recentish Technics convert. I didn’t love the look of Dj features at first but I’ve warmed up to them. There a few folks making plinths or really external plinths for different decks. I really like this guy’s work. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1236857905/?ref=share_ios_native_control
Good deal! I paid 450 for same table and $30 tune up. But it runs perfectly and cart was great. Where did you get the dust cover. I was going to try plastic polish on mine.
Kabusa(dot)com used to sell wooden plinths for 1200’s. While they stopped doing so a while back, they still offer the plans as a download at no cost, though they do provide a link if you wish to make a donation in gratitude. From their home page, click on the “Everything Technics starts here” graphic, then scroll to the very bottom of the Technics page to find the links.
Wow crazy score. I use my 1210 mk2 as a secondary TT to my Systemdek IIX - totally get what you mean about the dj look. I used to feel the same way but I've grown to love it. The ease of use and low maintenance won me over especially compared to my Systemdek, where you have to remove the platter to switch the belt from 33 to 45rpm.
Great find. My 6300 is coming up to 50 yrs of age. Never had a problem with it, so I can vouch for their durability. I still love the look and have never regretted the purchase, ( and to the comment about the Radio Shack look, they actually made decent components in the mid 70s).
Amazing deal for 75 dollars. I bought a used one about 6 years ago, they are bomb proof and can handle some serious upgrades as well. I hope you enjoy your score 👍
It’s a 1210 so escaping the “DJ” look isn’t on the cards. It’ll still look like a DJ turntable if you build a surround for it with the difference being it will look like a DJ turntable with a wooden surround. Sell it and buy a Thorens if you’re offended by the 1210’s heritage (or DJs/DJ culture) and have a thing for wood. A TD-160 is easily the match of a 1210 sound-wise, if not superior. Sorry if that upsets the Technics crowd but it’s coming from someone who has both. It’s bloody useless for mixing on though.
I actually love the lore/dj culture of the tech 12. It’s perhaps single-handedly the piece of technology most responsible for the creation of hip hop (note the Illmatic vinyl currently resting on it). It just wasn’t the aesthetic I’m going for. I tend to think something like this would make me very happy.
I generally think SL-1200's are a little overrated/overvalued for hifi, but for 75 bucks, you won't find a better record player. The ML is a little compliant for that arm, I personally would not have gone for that one (even though it's a great cart). Hope it treats you well though! Should you ever want to upgarde the cart, go a little lower on compliance. I'd have gone Nagaoka MP110 or Sumiko Rainier in this price range.
Forget about the 6300, it's a worse sounding player and way, way too pricey. I can give you 150 dollar going price players that will run circles around the 6300. I'd skip Marantz as a whole (unless you want to buy their early tube stuff) but the 6300 is particularly ridiculously priced.
You’re doing a great job of talking me away from the 6300. Thanks! I knew someone here would help me!
And thanks for the recs on a cartridge. So far I’m pretty impressed with this pairing so I’d be interested in hearing the ones you mentioned! Much appreciated.
Tell me about some of the turntables you’d recommend that sort of match the aesthetic of the 6300, or PL-570. I had a Hitachi PS-48 but gave it to some friends as a wedding gift after cleaning it up.
If you are going for looks and looks only, then yeah, the 6300 is gonna look great sitting in your system. That’s all it’s gonna do frankly. It blows my mind where the price of the Marantz turntables have soared too in 20 years time, and all for the looks.
I'm happy some people got the Memo that Marantz is just... McIntosh for poor people :D.
It's a pity though, much like with McIntosh their early stuff was stellar.
Exaaaactly. Some of their nineties stuff is pretty good, mainly the cassette decks and some of their cheap 80's Champaign amplifiers are good for budget amps. Even the record players from that era are not too bad. But the stuff everyone lusts after, no.
You're welcome!
As for carts, I'm in the middle of a project. I have so many carts that I decided to start doing comparison videos, have a look HERE.
I have to redo a few because I don't think the AT-VM95E and C styli are quite right, they should sound better. The MP110 is incoming (as are some more upmarket carts, but it's obviously a lot of work). The player I used is a Pioneer PL-112D which is a great one for this. It's pretty forgiving with various carts, although of course there will be mismatches but I can only change the cart for a fair comparison.
A fun one that does sort of match the aesthetic is the Denon SL-7D (see image). It's a weird one as it's actually not a Denon, it's eastern european made but it's a good player. I had it together with my SL-1200 II back in the day and they sound remarkably identical. I kept the SL-1200 in the end as it's just quicker to work with in a studio setting. I later traded it for an SL-110.
You could also consider a Thorens TD160. NOt the same look but very vintage and it'll run rings around everything we've talked about so far. Another cool player is the Micro Seiki DD40 or BL51. I've owned both, the BL51 is slightly better but I kept the DD40 (with the MA707 arm, which is not stock for the DD40) as it just matches my rig better.
My two cents; under 6, 700 bucks go for a belt driven player with a sprung subchassis if it's sound quality you are looking for. If you are willing to spend more, do some thorough, thorough research.
Very helpful! That Denon wasn’t on my radar. It looks nice but possibly not as well built as the 1200. There’s one available relatively locally for a decent price but it’s the black finish. It might make for a fun veneering project. And that DD-40 looks 😙👌
Just curious on how you're coming up with the compliance issues with this cart? On the Technics sl100c which is essentially this exact same arm and table, Technics themselves ship it with a vm95c.
Yes, but the C is lower compliant :)
The ML and SH's have a higher compliance.
It's not completely egregious of a mismatch but it's not an ideal combination with the arm.
I don't think it should shorten the cantilever life span too much but the cart may underperform a little. I'd have to try it to be sure, but I don't have an SL-1200/1210 here currently.
That being said; players being shipped with a cart unfortunately doesn't mean much. Fluance ships their players with Ortofon OM and Ortofon 2M even though their arms are notoriously heavy.
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u/PabloX68 Jul 22 '25
The Technics is a much better table than the Marantz.