Technics teases new SL-1200 turntable for DJs

The company is holding a livestream on January 7.

Technics appears to be putting the focus back on DJs for its latest SL-1200 turntable.

The Japanese turntable brand is holding an event in Las Vegas on January 7 it says will “focus on the SL-1200 Series” alongside a DJ-centric livestream, featuring performances from Kenny Dope, Derrick Carter, Cut Chemist and DJ Koco.

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The Technics-sponsored club event, Technics7th, will be held on January 7 (Monday), 2019, at 20:00 PST in Las Vegas. The event will also be simultaneously streamed worldwide on the online music broadcasts, "BOILER ROOM" & "DOMMUNE". Technics SL-1200 Series turntables, launched in 1972 and shipped a cumulative total of 3,500,000 units worldwide., serve as the de facto standard even today in many clubs all over the world. The event will focus on the SL-1200 Series with performances by globally renowned DJs who are also fans of the legendary series. The performing DJs: KENNY DOPE, DERRICK MAY, CUT CHEMIST, DJ KOCO A.K.A. SHIMOKITA Venue: Club Hyde in the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas Live streaming schedule (local time): January 7 (Monday), 2019, 20:00-23:00 PST BOILER ROOM: http://blrrm.tv/technics-lv DOMMUNE: http://www.dommune.com #technics7th #event #kennydope @derrickmay @cutchemist @djkocoakashimokita @boilerroomtv #dommune #sl1200 #turntable #dj #music #broadcasts #technics

A post shared by Technics (@technics_global) on Dec 21, 2018 at 12:02am PST

If Technics is, as is being speculated, releasing an SL-1200 MK7, it would be something of a change in approach for the company, whose recent devices – the $3,999 SL-1200G and $1,699 SL-1200GR – have been more suited to home listeners than DJs.

Technics creative director Hiro Morishita seemed to confirm this in 2017, saying that the company’s new target was audiophiles rather than vinyl DJs, calling the DJ market “problematic”. The company then made a hasty U-turn, releasing a black SL-1210GR and reaffirming the importance of DJs to its brand, though the high price point still left many DJs shut out of owning one turntable, let alone two.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that Technics’ latest SL-1200 will be a MK7 or that it will be available at the relatively more affordable price point of its classic turntables, but it seems as if the company will be announcing something new on January 7.