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Tech · Technics · 2019

Technics SL-1200MK7

The modern DJ version of the 1200, with a coreless motor, reverse play, and 78 rpm.

Used turntables: the 1200 family and its rivals — #3

Overall

8.2

out of 10

Axis scores

Strongest on Performance (8.6), weakest on Value (7.6), a 1.0-point spread. The 8.2 overall is the plain average of all 5 Tech axes, with no weighting.

Technics SL-1200MK7 — axis scores out of 10Horizontal bar chart of editorial scores out of 10 across 5 axes. Bars run from a shared zero baseline; longer is better. Technics SL-1200MK7: Performance 8.6, Value 7.6, Durability 8.6, Ease of use 8.0, Design 8.0.PerformanceTechnics SL-1200MK7 — Performance 8.6 out of 108.6ValueTechnics SL-1200MK7 — Value 7.6 out of 107.6DurabilityTechnics SL-1200MK7 — Durability 8.6 out of 108.6Ease of useTechnics SL-1200MK7 — Ease of use 8.0 out of 108.0DesignTechnics SL-1200MK7 — Design 8.0 out of 108.0Editorial score out of 10 — higher is better
  • Performance — How well it does the core job
  • Value — What the same money buys elsewhere
  • Durability — Failure and fade reports past the one-year mark
  • Ease of use — Setup, daily operation, cleaning, maintenance
  • Design — Build quality and how it sits in a room

Specs

Drive
Coreless direct drive
Speeds
33⅓, 45, 78 rpm
Pitch range
±8% or ±16%
Extras
Reverse play, adjustable start and brake speed
Cartridge
Not included; headshell included

As published by the manufacturer. We didn't measure these ourselves.

Is it for you

Buy it if

  • You DJ and want a Technics that has not been through thirty years of clubs
  • You want reverse play and adjustable start and brake torque

Skip it if

  • Home listening is the whole plan, where the GR's hi-fi tuning fits better
  • You expect a cartridge in the box

The MK7 is the DJ-oriented successor to the MK2 and the model most DJs mean by a new 1200. It adds reverse playback, 78 rpm, and adjustable start and brake speed, and swaps the old motor for the coreless type used in the GR.

Reviewer consensus is that it plays and handles like the classic deck with fewer quirks. Some longtime owners found the build lighter than an MK2. Because it is newer, used units mostly come from home DJs, not clubs, and tend to show less wear.

Check that the original dust cover, headshell, and counterweight are included. Those are the parts sellers leave out most often.

Last updated . The scoring method is on how we rank.