Technics is discontinuing its iconic SL-1200 turntable, however, the company is making sure the line goes out with a bang. Announced as the “culmination” of the company’s SL-1200G line, the Grand Class SL‑1200G/1210G Master Edition will be made available as part of a limited collector-grade release.
Waving Farewell to the SL-1200
The SL-1200 line has been a staple for Technics since the 1970s with standouts in the line including the SL-1200GR2 and the SL-1300G.
However, despite the acclaim that the product line has earned over the years, Technics has state it will be ending production of the SL-1200/1210G model by the end of the year due to the discontinuation of externally sourced components.
This Master Edition is described as the “final evolution” of the “G” series, marking the end of an era.
1200G/1210G Master Edition Features
As a final hurrah for the lineup, the new Master Edition turntables pair heritage aesthetics with a host of mechanical and electrical upgrades.
To the new turntables, Technics has added its proprietary ΔΣ‑Drive (the same methods deployed in its full‑digital amplifiers) to minimize motor vibration and deliver “super‑smooth rotational accuracy,” while a reworked iron‑coreless motor reduces cogging and enhances torque performance.
The Master Edition also uses a four‑layer bottom chassis plus a 10‑mm aluminium top plate and heavy rubber for damping. The 3.6 kg platter combines aluminium, brass top plate and a rubber‑coated underside as well to prevent extra vibrations from disrupting the tracking process.
The S‑shaped magnesium tonearm features high‑precision bearings and is mated with α‑gel insulator feet to mitigate additional external vibration.
Aesthetically, the Master Editions will also come with gold‑color tonearms and logo accents, as well as serialized “Master Edition” badges so they can be differentiated from existing SL-1200/1210 “G” models.
Vinyl’s Foothold in a Digital Era
It’s a thematic victory lap for the SL-1200G and for vinyl in general, as, despite digital media still holding majority share in the market, vinyl in particular has managed to not only hold on, but grow in recent years, with the format receiving plenty of attention among the clients of custom integrators.
Data published in the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) Mid-Year 2024 Recorded Music Revenue Report reported that physical media revenues grew 13% in the first half of 2024, bolstered by a 17% uptick in sales of vinyl during that same time period.
Additionally, the annual CE Pro Brand Analysis—conducted at the start of this year—found turntables to qualify as a growth category, with former Senior Editor Bob Archer noting: “while physical media may be experiencing drier times, the turntable category just keeps ticking upward.”
Availability and Pricing of the 1200G/1210G Master Edition
Both models of the new Master Edition will be available only in limited quality. Cutely, the SL-1200GME will only have 1,200 units produced globally, while the SL-1210GME will have 1,210 models made available globally.
The former will be released with a silver finish while the latter will have a black finish.
MSRP maths out to roughly $6,300 at the time of publication with availability from January 2026 via authorized retailers.
