The Article
SL-1210MK7 Turntable From Technics
10th January 2019
The new model inherits the traditional design while adding a coreless direct drive motor and reverse playback. The SL-1210MK7 is launched as the first new standard DJ turntable in approximately nine years
The direct drive system uses a slow-rotating motor to directly drive the platter. This system has various advantages. It offers rotation accuracy and powerful torque, does not require replacement of parts and maintains high reliability over a long period of time. However, the direct drive system was said to occasionally produce a rotation irregularity called cogging. For the SL-1210MK7, a new coreless direct drive motor was developed. This motor employs a coreless stator. The removal of the iron core from the stator, “…eliminates the root cause of cogging,” said the company.
Furthermore, the magnetic force of the rotor magnets was improved and the gap between the coreless stator and rotor magnets was optimised, thus achieving torque performance equalling that of the SL-1200MK5. The platter rotates in the reverse direction when the speed selector button and Start/Stop button are pressed simultaneously.
Utilising a microcomputer, the motor control technology, “…responds accurately to a wide range of DJ play styles, such as scratching,” said the company. To those ends, the starting torque and brake speed can be adjusted individually to suit the user’s preference.
The stylus illuminator features a new push-type structure and employs a high-brightness and long-life white LED. The illumination area and intensity were reviewed to provide improved visibility of the stylus tip compared to previous models even in a dark environment.
The tonearm S-shaped tonearm is made of lightweight, high-rigidity aluminium. The bearing section of the gimbal suspension construction tonearm consists of a machined housing and “high-precision bearing”.
The platter features a two-layer structure with deadening rubber on the entire back surface while the chassis is aluminium die-cast and feature ABS mixed with glass fibre to achieve a two-layer construction. The insulator features a spring and rubber.
The rotation speed can be set to 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm or 78 rpm. The pitch control function allows fine adjustment of the rotation speed within ±8%/±16%.
The SL-1200MK7 is available in black with black buttons and a black tonearm. The LED light (which doesn’t shine black, thankfully) can be set to illuminate in either red or blue. Price is £899.
To learn more, click www.panasonic.co.uk
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Made in Malaysia. No thanks. It’s a GR or nothing for me.
Joel, got issue “Made in Malaysia”? Please explain
We’ve been warned..
Paul I know you tested the G, but how about comparing the GR against the MK7 and 1500C? I want to know which is best or if I should put 1500 euros into some other deck.
That depends on your requirements Geoff Рthe higher end model should be superior, in theory but the new models will provide a Technics experience at a more affordable price. If you want a pure audiophile experience and sound quality is a priority then there are better value decks out there for your €1,500.
Greetings. First of all I’d like to thank you for the great review. I’ve read and watched different reviews over the past few months, and many claim that this model feels “cheap” and “less sturdy” if compared to the previous models, especially the start/stop button and the 33/45 button don’t feel as durable as they used to be. Would you agree with these statements? Thanks
Hi Ruggero – thanks for your question. Don’t forget that this is a news item – not a review – and I have yet to see one up close. Hence, I cannot comment really on the finer details, I’m afraid. That said, it depends what you want to use it for. Maybe that was a hardcore DJ talking? They would have a different ‘take’ on a DJ tool than myself, an audiophile. We both look for different things in a turntable. A DJ needs a tough and lasting tool to survive a rugged club environment. An audiophile’s listening room is a gentler place where the sturdy nature of a power button is not quite the priority 🙂
Hello Paul
i have a question
i ve had a 1210 mk2 technics i now its time to move to a more “audiophile ” level.
my budget ranges from 500-600 euros up to 1000 /-.
My vinyl collection is 90 % classic rock and 10% jazz soul etc
Amplifiers = intend to keep my old CYRUS ONE and a newst NAD 320 BBE /PP2 phono stage
Speakers = DM 603 B W / JAMO 402s / MORDAUNT SHORT MS 902
TURN 5 by reloop is a choice
THORENS 402 DD is a strong choice as well
1. whats is yr suggestion?
2. what would be yr aletrnatives?
3. my rurntables now which i intend to sell are ROTEL RP 855 BELT DRIVEN and a vontage SANSUI FR D 55 from the 80s
i would appreciate yr comments
Hi Paul – I reckon this turntable will be superior to either Thorens or the Reloop: https://theaudiophileman.com/gett/
All you then need is a cartridge. Which one would depend on your budget.