Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have always owned Technics turntables, and had never considered buying anything else. Then one of the Technics turntables that I had given to my daughter soon developed a speed regulation problem that could not be corrected by simple cleaning and adjustment. This problem made me realize that I had waited too long to replace my ageing Technics turntables, because Technics had suspended production of their turntables in 2009, and the last few remaining Technics turntables on the market were selling at premium prices. So I began searching the internet for a deal on the best available equivalent turntables. My search narrowed to a choice between a used Technics SL-1210M5G, and the new Audio-Technica AT-LP1240. I wanted to buy two turntables to replace two of the old ones that I own, and I could not justify the cost of buying two Technics SL-1210M5G at once, at present-day prices: so I finally decided to buy one new Audio-Technica AT-LP1240 and one slightly used Technics SL-1210M5G to replace two of my three old turntables that were built in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The turntables that I ordered arrived almost simultaneously. I had also ordered identical Shure M-44-7 high-output magnetic cartridges, to allow a more equitable comparison of the two different turntables. The used Technics SL-1210M5G turntable was described by Kellards thus: “THIS IS IN BRAND NEW-CONDITION FULLY TESTED” but I found the power line selector switch still set for 220V and the brake circuit was so far out of adjustment that the platter spun backwards when the stop button was pressed, so I had doubts about it having ever been tested at all. I was eventually able to adjust everything to correct functionality, and it was fully acceptable in appearance. The new Audio-Technica AT-LP1240 arrived fully functional in all respects and had only one real design deficiency, the tone-arm counterweight was nearly too light for the cartridges weight, but I soon discovered that the heavier counterweight from any Technics turntable will fit properly on the Audio-Technica AT-LP1240 tone-arm, so the problem was solved. This is my comparison of the two turntables is based on only two weeks of actual service: It is a good thing Technics has stopped producing turntables, because if they were still shipping the same SL-1210M5G that was delivered to me: they would be terribly embarrassed by the comparison with the quality and functional features of the new Audio-Technica AT-LP1240. It has better starting torque and a better brake, and both functions are easily response-time adjustable. It has a wider range pitch control and it can operate at 78 RPM. It has an on-board pre-amplifier, if you need it, and it has an auxiliary USB output that allows you to rip vinyl over to any digital audio format. It costs less than half as much as the Technics and delivers more features and functions with equal sound quality. My history and vanity made me buy the Technics SL-1210M5G turntable. I am sure that if I had it to do over, I would have bought two Audio-Technica AT-LP1240 turntables, and I would have saved about $860.00 in the bargain.