Buying a used Technics SL-1200MK2
Quartz-locked, direct-drive and built to be played hard. Here's how to check a used SL-1200MK2 properly, what the specs mean in the booth, and how it differs from the later MK5.
At a glance
- Drive
- Quartz direct drive, brushless DC motor
- Speeds
- 33⅓ and 45 rpm
- Pitch control
- ±8%
- Start-up time
- 0.7 s to 33⅓ rpm
- Starting torque
- 1.5 kg·cm
- Wow and flutter
- 0.01% WRMS
- Tonearm
- Universal, 230 mm effective length
- Tracking force range
- 0–2.5 g
- Weight
- 11 kg
What to check before you pay
- Voltage label. Flip to the rating label on the back before anything else. The deck was built in versions for different mains voltages (the service manual cited here covers a 120 V US model), so make sure it matches your wall socket, or budget for a step-down transformer from day one.
- Speed and strobe. Drop a record at 0% pitch on both speeds and watch the strobe dots on the platter edge. They should sit dead still. If they creep one way or the other, the speed isn't where it should be, and that's something you want fixed before your first mix, not after.
- Pitch fader. Ride the pitch fader slowly from one end to the other with music playing. The tempo should glide smoothly, with no jumps, dead patches or crackle along the way. A scratchy or jumpy fader makes beatmatching a fight.
- Start and brake. Hit start/stop a handful of times. The platter should snap up to speed in under a second and stop the same way every time. That fast start is a big part of what this deck is for, so it needs to be there.
- Tonearm. Lift the arm gently by the headshell and feel for any play or rattle in the bearings; it should move freely and smoothly. Give the height adjustment ring a turn too, and check that it locks.
- Cables and sound. With a record spinning, gently wiggle the phono and ground cables. Crackle, hum or one channel cutting out points to tired wiring or connectors, which you'll want to price into your offer.
- Platter. Crouch down level with the platter and watch its edge as it spins. It should run flat and true, with no visible wobble.
Reported faults
Problems reported in the sources listed with each item. Not every unit has them, but they are worth asking about.
Worn pitch control
- What you notice
- Speed is off, or does not follow the pitch fader smoothly.
- What the source says
- Pitch control contacts are among the parts repair services replace on these decks.
- What to check
- Use the strobe: at 0% the dots should stand still, and the speed should change smoothly as you move the fader.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017)
Play in the tonearm bearings
- What you notice
- The arm wobbles or does not move smoothly.
- What the source says
- Bearing wear; it can only be checked by feel.
- What to check
- Lift the arm gently and feel for play. It should move freely and smoothly in both directions.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017)
Faulty arm controls
- What you notice
- The arm drifts, slams down or will not lock.
- What the source says
- The buying guide lists anti-skate, arm lock and the arm lift among the things to check.
- What to check
- The anti-skate dial should pull the arm outwards, the arm lock should hold, and the lift should lower the arm gently.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017)
Platter rubber coming away or damaged magnet
- What you notice
- Rough running or speed problems.
- What the source says
- The rubber layer under the platter can come away, and the magnet on the platter can be damaged.
- What to check
- Spin the platter by hand both ways, then lift it off and look at the rubber and the magnet underneath.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017)
Crackling or failing RCA cables
- What you notice
- Crackle, or problems that appear when the cables move.
- What the source says
- RCA cable problems are described as relatively common, with faults at the plug ends and shorts along the cable.
- What to check
- With a record playing, gently move the cables and plugs. Replacing the cables is a known repair, but price it in.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017); Repair article: Crossfadr, "Replacing the RCA cables on a Technics SL-1200 turntable" (Alex Baker, 2011)
Signs of poor earlier repairs
- What you notice
- Missing screws under the deck or platter.
- What the source says
- Missing screws can point to rough repair work in the past.
- What to check
- Look underneath the deck and under the platter for missing screws.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017)
Removed internal earthing (modification)
- What you notice
- Loud bangs through the system from static.
- What the source says
- Removing the internal earthing is a popular modification, and can let static build up.
- What to check
- Ask whether the deck has been modified. Non-factory modifications also tend to reduce resale value.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017)
Loose headshell
- What you notice
- The headshell does not clamp firmly.
- What the source says
- Wear or loose screws at the headshell.
- What to check
- Fit the headshell and check it locks firmly and the screws underneath are tight.
Buyer's guide: The Vinyl Factory, "The complete guide to buying Technics SL-1200 turntables second hand" (Jason Kennedy, 2017)
What you’re actually buying
On paper the SL-1200MK2 is a quartz-locked, direct-drive turntable with a brushless motor, ±8% pitch and a universal tonearm. In the booth, those numbers translate into something simpler: a deck that gets up to speed in 0.7 seconds, holds that speed steady, and lets you nudge the tempo smoothly while you mix. That combination is what DJs are paying for, and it’s also why condition matters so much: a deck like this may have had a very easy life or a very hard one.
Reading a used one before you pay
A used MK2 can be anything from a carefully looked-after home deck to one that has survived years of club nights. Listing photos rarely tell you which. If you can’t see it in person, ask the seller for a short video: the deck playing at both speeds with the strobe in shot, the pitch fader moving end to end, and a couple of starts and stops. Five minutes of footage tells you more than a page of description.
Pay attention to the little things too. A seller who can tell you when the deck was last serviced, what was replaced and why, is usually a seller whose deck has been looked after.
MK2 or MK5?
From across the room the two are close to identical. The quickest tell is the pitch control: the MK5 has a pitch reset button, the MK2 doesn’t. Check the model name printed on the deck itself rather than trusting the listing title, because the two get mixed up all the time.
Which is the better buy comes down to features versus condition. If you want one-touch pitch reset, an adjustable brake or more tracking force than 2.5 g, the MK5 is the one to hunt. If none of that matters to you, a well-kept MK2 does the core job just as the spec sheet promises, and the money you save can go on a good cartridge.
What to ask the seller
- Has the deck been serviced or modified, for example new LEDs, replaced cables or a different tonearm? Modifications aren’t a problem in themselves, but you should know exactly what you’re getting.
- Is the original headshell included?
- Does it come with the dust cover and the 45 rpm adapter?
Which version is it?
| Model | Key difference |
|---|---|
| SL-1200MK2 | Pitch control ±8%, no pitch reset button, tracking force adjustment 0–2.5 g |
| SL-1200MK5 / SL-1210MK5 | Adds a pitch reset button and an adjustable brake speed; tracking force adjustment 0–4 g. SL-1210MK5 is the black version |
Compare
Related guides
Manuals
- Service manual Technics SL-1200MK2 Service Manual (Order No. S07908-1 601)
Links open external manual archives or the manufacturer's site. We don't host these files.
Sources
- Technics SL-1200MK2 Service Manual, Order No. S07908-1 601, specifications
- Technics SL-1200MK5 / SL-1210MK5 Operating Instructions, RQT7018-1Y, controls and specifications (for the version comparison)