Let me speak to your concerns here as best as I can in terms of what I think about record players. I suggest the Technics to people because it is a no-brainer for those who need a quality trouble-free unit to play their records on that won't destroy them due to bad main and arm bearings slopping around and killing dynamics and detail and bass definition and high end response. I have no loyalty to Technics except for those reasons; any table that provides the quality of motor/main bearing/arm bearing and specs would do just as fine. The problem is there just aren't many tables that can provide those qualities at such a low price. Under the price of the SL 1200 you cannot possibly get that quality; no company could afford to produce tables like that. When you say the 1200 is a DJ table; what does that mean? It has very good bearings and materials in the set-up of the motor-bearing; the arm is a pretty good gimbaled bearing with very good tolerances; the speed drive system is extremely accurate and well made and the plinth and platter are machined to very tight tolerances and made of good alloys with good weight and balance. Thats what is required for good sounding playback. DJ's like them because they are built like tanks not because of their features. On the job you don't want your tools breaking down. The options available for upgrading offered by KAB will ratchet up the performance sound-wise exponentially should you ever get some spare cash. Regarding cost; I have seen new SL 1200 tables going for 389$; which to me is amazing for what you get. But unfortunately that is pretty much the bottom line in terms of realistic and quality players. Go below that and I really don't care what they offer as specs; there is just no way they can produce and still make money. My humble opinion? If you have a budget; wait. Save the extra 100$ and buy a table that will sound decent and work for a long time. And remmember they hold their value, keep that table in good shape and in five yrs you will sell it for what you paid for it. Not so for the cheap tables; buy it and take it home and it is pretty much worthless. I have no knowledge of any of the cheaper tables; I would like to be of more help but they are just below my radar. Now some people say the Project or MMF tables are decent for 350$; but they are belt drive and truthfully; the arms suck and they wobble. As long as you require the table be new then I suggest holding out for a better quality. I hope this explains my position without sounding pompous.
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