Here's the announcement..

It's very tempting. What I was expecting rather than the 1200G/GAE that did emerge. Certainly an investment no matter what the price.

Cheaper than thought at £7,995.00 for the SP-10R and £13,995.00 for the SL-1000R

And a good review here www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/preview-technics-sl-1000r-turntable/

Dave

LP-12 is £18,670  SME Model 30 with 9" arm £27,043.  Two UK newsstand HiFi magazine editors have said it's a game-changer.

Scary stuff !!

Dave

I think most high end turntable prices these days are OTT. The Orbe I bought is supposed to be one of the best value (probably true) and I would struggle to see more than a few hundred quids worth tbh.

Technics as a brand has never appealed to me anyway, and the latest stuff doesn't change that. The old SP10 was an ugly, unpleasantly proportioned lump and the new one is far too similar. I always hated the look of the arm too, so not for me.

As for "game changing" I recall the Townshend Rock being reported as "very close indeed to master tape". Then the Rock Reference was meant to take things to a whole new level. I wondered how that could be unless it surpasses master tape. I had both decks and thougt the Xerxes left them standing. Whether it sounded like master tape, I have no idea, but i believe a good used 80s/90s "super deck" will get me as close as I need and I remain doubtful that there's a lot more to be achieved. To me, it's like the soap powder and toothpaste ads: If every claim for whiter washing/brushing was true, the products we used years ago must've been dire.

The LP12 and SME prices quoted would be unacceptable to me if in was a billionaire. I'm very happy for anyone who wants, buys and enjoys any of them. It just wouldn't be me.

I think you're right about the old SP10 being likely to rise in price. The good news is that there are plenty other DDs out there. The Sony PS-6750 I had was near identical to my Xerxes with the same OL mat and cartridge. The 8750 looks amazing and should be even better. Loads of others to explore too, such as Denon, Micro-Seiki, Victor and loads of "sleepers".

I have enjoyed more LP12s than I can count, but it's not as good to me as most of its 80s and 90s rivals. To be fair, it appears that you can buy the standard deck less arm for £1770. It was £471 back in 1987 when I had my first one, so I can kinda live with that. Still not for me though, as you can buy a used on with an Ekos for that.


www.signals.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Linn-Retail-Price-List-UK.pdf

Aye, there are some masterpiece direct drives out there for far less than the asking for the brinkmann and certainly the new sp10r.
Micro seiki ddx1000, trio lo7d, yamahahaha px1, pioneer plc590 and Pl l1000 to name just a few.

My jbe and jvc ql-y5f are no slouches, had a Pl l800 which I wish I hadn't sold.

I think the main problem is that the price of the thing will make it completely irrelevant. Only a few will be able to buy one, it will be a dream deck for silly sods like us and that's it. Its far far too expensive to be relevant to the average punter who looks at it and cant see what the money buys them.

I have no doubt that it will be utterly superb, a once in a lifetime purchase for someone who has just cashed in a big pension or someone to whom the asking price isnt relevant, but to the vast majority of the buying public it is simply unaffordable. And there are plenty of oldiesbutgoldies that are

I am waiting for a "New" direct drive turntable designed and made in the UK by 2 enthusiasts, its almost finished, I heard the prototype and ordered one without even knowing the price it sounded so good. Nick G designed the electronics for the drive system, one of the partners is a big fan of Japanese DD's he owns quite a few I understand.

Amen.