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First.

First Audio

The video of the SL1200 playing sounded more solid and less frazzled for lack of a better term, so I'm going to say the audio was switched. With the high res files I'm calling it for S&MTECH.aif.

I only listened via the YouTube video but the second section of audio (the one accompanied by the video of the Continuum) had noticeably more flutter than the first extract which in relative terms had rock solid pitch stability (this is especially noticeable with a Glockenspiel). I am not an expert in this musical genre and would have had a better chance identifying which is which had it been a large scale orchestral excerpt on a long LP side (say 26 minutes plus). I tend to find that classical music separates the ultra expensive from the extremely good better than anything else, but perhaps that is because I am trained in classical music performance and that is mainly what I listen to on my system.

In any event, I would say the audio extracts in the YouTube video did align with the video and that the Technics was first and the Continuum second. As for which I prefer, they both sound good to me (in terms of the ability to be immersed in the music which is what it is all about in the final analysis) in this particular genre. If pressed, however, I preferred the first audio except on the YouTube video, regardless of whether I am right or wrong about which turntable produced what extract. I found the pitch stability distracting on the second excerpt and the timing was better in the first excerpt. Then again the second excerpt was more musical and the first sounded a little synthetic to me. If it were not for the flutter issues with the second extract, I would have preferred that to the first. Caveat: This was only listening on my PC via a Xonar Soundcard and reasonably good Sennheiser headphones. I have always found my actual music system gets considerably deeper into the "truth" of a recording so my opinion might very well be completely different hearing the systems in person.

I enjoyed the first one in the video more..

Hi Michael I enjoyed listening to the two tables through my Accuphase DAC. I listened twice to make sure but both times I preferred the second table. I am an audio professional and manufacturer so I hope I am right. Both tables exhibited excellent attack of the notes but the second had more and clearer low level information along with a very nice decay of the music. The first recording the Lyra sounded cold like the compliance was not fully loosened up yet but as the record played it did loosen up and sounded much better. I may be wrong but this is what I perceived. On the second recording I got great sound all the way through. Thanks this was fun

The sound seems more developed, less smeared and the bass notes seem more positive in nature.

First video was preferred. Bass better controlled, highs less smeared and far better dynamics.

has that "short" Technics sound

I really hope the 1200g review includes trying a different tonearm on the Technics as well as testing the Auto Mode vs. Manual Mode on the torque setting.

the first video - the sound was very perfect and very hifi like

the 2nd video had more dimension to the sound and touched off more emotions

The second is much better, cleaner, quieter, better decay an reverb.

The 2nd one was the Technics. It had higher level groove noise. The instruments had less tonal density, more of a greyish, cloudy feel. That didn't stop me from enjoying the music. But there's no doubt that the first play through on the video had more confidence, more presence.

Mike,

I listened once via iPad / YouTube. Seems clear to me that the Techy was the first played and the Continuum second. The Continuum, number 2 demo, was better by a huge margin. Cleaner more realistic leading edges, air between the instruments, more solidity in the instruments, better decay, more realistic soundstage depth, and more musically compelling. The Techy was very good considering price point but had less of all the things the Continuum presented. Only question unanswered is what was the Techy sitting on? Platform, rack, footers have a huge impact on performance.

I listened last night before bed and was thinking that the first one (S&MTECH) sounded better. Thought I might be losing it a little bit so I decided to sleep on it but I am glad to discover this morning that I am not the only one that feels that way.

The first one has:
- more natural attack and much better decay; second one is very aggressive/almost brittle on the attack and is short changing the decay
- better speed stability; the S&MCAL one has audible wow/flutter in several locations. Some fault is no doubt with the pressing but the first sample is clearly better at dealing with it.
- better frequency response; looking in my audio editor the S&MTECH sample has about 1dB better bass and a couple dB less past 10Khz. The second sample sounds a bit "tipped up" to me whereas the first sounds natural. This could be just a VTA thing on the cartridge.
- better harmonic structure; the piano sounds more like my idea (20+ years of playing piano) of a "live" piano in the first sample. Same thing with the percussion.

Anyhow long story short I am pretty sure Michael has swapped the samples and the first one in the video (S&MTECH download) is actually the Caliburn/SAT while the second one is the 1200.

Very much looking forward to the review as I am considering getting a pair of the new 1200G to DJ with specifically because I care about sound quality.

Prefer the sound of S&MTECH.aif file
S&MTECH.aif sounds like an OK tape machine
S&MCAL.aif sounds like a BETTER-than-OK tape machine

Michael, is under-the-hood torque adjustment possible on the 1200G table, like the 1200GAE?

I liked the first one better. No objective reasons, just a subjective feeling.

Heard more record noise on the 2nd clip. Second audio comes from Japanese turntable.

Preferred the first clip. Believe the files were switched.

I didn't even get to the audio. Haven't stopped laughing after Mickey's intro.

Mickey, I'll see yous later at the bada bing.

I didn't even get to the audio. Haven't stopped laughing after Mickey's intro.

Mickey, I'll see yous later at the bada bing.

With a gun to my head I'd pick the SAT arm because I think it mates better with the cartridge. But it also seemed to expose the pressing flaw more than the Technics especially on the piano. I'm in an office with background noise using a JBL bluetooth speaker.

I don't claim to have a perceptive ear or a decent setup. But yes, I do have a filthy mind.

I took Michael's advice seriously, and didn't assume the visuals were correct... It is often written the the eyes overrule the ears, and critical listening should be done with the eyes closed to reduce possible bias.

Listened to take one, and the bells did it for me. The decay and delicacy of the bells told the tale... And in this case, for whom the bells tolled was Continuum... Listening to take two really drove that home. That delicacy and decay was compromised... Kinda mid-fi sounding.

The first one I'd hope would be the Continuum. I think the sounds are switched. Wish me luck.

The most enjoyable to listen to, for me, was the first part. The instruments felt more 3D especially the size sounded bigger. This made thrm sound a bit more real. Although the placement was very similar. Hope the first part is the Technics. That one is just about affordable :) /Paul

I enjoyed the first one better. Doesn't mean the videos were necessarily switched, but I'm guessing they were. Moreover, With the variety of opinions on here, is it any wonder why there's often a huge vinyl vs digital difference of opinion? People hear different things. Bygones.

More decay revealed on percussion with 2 as well as a slightly fuller presentation. Therefore I think that is the Continuum. 1 sounds more hi-fi. If I'm wrong I can buy the Technics and save £150K!

Is the Lyra Etna going to make anything it's attached to sound great?
Geeze that's an expensive cartridge.

with earbuds, both sounded very nice on the top end. On the low end the kick drum seemed more realistic on the first but with more punch on the second. The first, overall, more refined. The second, more revealing (maybe more surface noise). For sound from a YouTube video, I think I liked the first just slightly better.

Both sounded great...My guess was the Continuum was #2 as it sounded more 3D and "Live" through my cheezy mono PC speaker.

Comments on video tracks. iPhone 6S through Stax SR-407.

First track impressions:
-obvious surface noise ebbing and flowing in lower treble range (warped record?)
-great transient attack
-great pitch consistency
-piano in left channel clearly recessed (poorly mastered balance?)

Second track impressions:
-surface noise less obvious and spread over a wider spectrum
-wider and deeper instrument placement
-piano level in left channel better balanced
-obvious pitch variation on celesta notes
-a more relaxed presentation

Listened only through computer speakers, unfortunately. But to my 61 yr old ears, there was greater depth and width present in cut no. 2, along with more, for lack of a better term, reverb. I also heard more of a differentiation in space between the instruments. I'm guessing that no.2 was the Continuum.

Finding it hard to have a preference here...

I've clinically evaluated the files (under the microscope so to speak) and it appears the file labeled 'TECH' has a lower noise floor. This was by about 2.5db ... Surprisingly you could also hear a little underlying "buzz" in the file labeled "CAL".... If that truly was the Cal there is something wrong with the grounding..

There is no doubt that the file labeled 'CAL' is 'brighter'.. The bells seem to have a longer decay and greater presence, and the drums have more air..

The detracting characteristic about the CAL file is that the groove-noise appeared to interfere more with the music, most noticeable in the drums.

If I had to put money on it, based on the higher noise-floor, slight "buzz" and the lesser ability to tame groove noise, Id suggest that the files have indeed been switched...

Said that, I think both sound fantastic. Looks like Technics have come up with a winner here regardless.

Michael, I think you should do a few more of these comparisons, they are completely and utterly insightful.

I went back an forth and back and forth just on the youtube video and just with my shitty all in one monitor speakers, and all I can say right now is I am glad I can buy a turntable that can actually make me go back and forth between a 6 figure turntable and something costing less than a speeding ticket in Adell, Georgia if you're not from Adell, Georgia. My next audio purchase is going to be a Technics 1200G.

technics first, knew they were different and the technics was better the first 10 seconds into the second one.

... a given listener prefers isn't the one that reproduces sound with a quality which is closer to that from the master tape - which one should they then buy?

The audio accompanying the second video sounded far more dynamic, with better detail, "air in the room", more realistic bass, and longer decays. But which was which....?

Given how YouTube compresses and otherwise distorts the sound with their processing (it is lossy, after all), I don't think it is going to sound right.

For the download files, though, were the filenames changed? I can see from downloading which is which. I am going to have to try to get someone to change the filenames here so I can play them at random and try to guess which is which.

Listening through my Sound Matters portable speaker my guess is the video and audio tracks are correctly matched, so no switcharoo here. I hear more detail, more decay and space from the second audio. Youze gotta agree, right?

The first track sounds best to me and I believe it is the Continuum. The second track has a lot of groove noise and pitch issues. I don't know if the pitch control on the Technics is reason for the pitch issues but it is not set at "zero" but instead a notch or two below zero. I hear a slow wah, wah on the second cut, perhaps due to the pitch control setting? Regardless, I prefer the first cut.

I listened to this again through my Apple Laptop ---> Grado 60 headphones and if those audio tracks aren't switched you can kick me in the ballz. OUCH!

I thought it was interesting most of the YouTube comments thought the 2nd audio was better, but the comments on AudioPlanet seem to favor the 1st audio as being better.

The lower rumble of the Caliburn revealed more surface noise of the disc to me. Michael is the clean disc champ of all time. The telling part is the piano, which I think LPs have the hardest time with as this can be a cutting problem and how much bass is allowed. The Caliburn is much fuller her than the technics and if you have had a chance to play a nice 7 or 9 foot Steinway or other piano you know the fullness of sound below C4 that is there when you play. Mic choices are a huge component of what is captured and where they are place near the piano and where.

Clearly the Technics is a speed stability champ, but there is more to this than just a strobe reading. There is just no substitute for a higher platter mass, superior bearing, and high torque. The Caliburn is just a fuller presentation overall.

When dealing with MV and less, everything matters.

I like number one the best. I'm a fan of modded Tech 12's...think KAB, etc. I'm going to say the Tech is the first one.

The second one is SO bad, I do not actually believe it would be a difference of turntables but some other error...digitization, quantization?...it is warbly, like a dirty tape head falling in and out of contact with the tape.

Until now, I've seen and sold only 2 version of the new SL1200: the GAE and the GEG. The GAE was the limited edition (sold out) and the GEG that is exactly the same but without the limited edition plate (and ironically more expensive than the GAE ......).

Have you tried the manual torque gain adjustment on the 1200g? I've read that turning it to about 1/5th of full improves note decay, sustain, and overtones... which are the primary differences I'm hearing here.

I preferred the first one, to me more spacious , better flow, more like a master tape, second had
the impression of a greater dynamics, but other aspects were not quite on cue

I did my homework and find out that the SL1200G actually is the SL1200GEG. No difference between this model or the GAE (limited edition) beside the plate with the Limited Edition logo and the serial number. The SL1200GR will be the cheaper version (no magnesium tonearm, different foot, etc..)

The second,much nicer. Discouraging to think ,that much difference costs so much.

Continuum is better even just from the YouTube video. Easy to spot the difference. The Technics still sounds like a Technics (murky, too much excess flabby low-end). I'm curious if a different mat and a clamp would even things up, though.

A comparison with a comparably-priced belt drive would probably be more meaningful, though.

I don't think it's been revealed which sound is from which table in the video posted. How are people so sure of which is which?

I have listen several times and cannot tell the difference.

You ever going to deny/confirm the status of these audio files?

It's not even close with the sound coming through my laptop through my 7 yr old Sharp TV. The Cal smokes the Technics. How anyone could prefer the Technics I don't know.

I once had a letter published in TAS back when Michael was still working for them stating that we both might be eating vanilla icecream but one of us is savouring it. I think some of us can hear the nuances that a good recording produces and some of us can't. To those of us that can hear it we bathe in it and those that can't, or refuse to (Jullian Hirsch anyone?), I feel sorry for them because the difference is as stark as McDonalds and Ferran Adria. I feel blessed because I can hear the difference and if you have the talent to tweak a well matched budget high end system you can enjoy a very good approximation of what Michael gets to listen to on a daily basis.

However, playing devils advocate, I'd like to hear the 2 turntables with the same cartridge that's on the Calibri!

Let the games begin!!!

Even though the lp is defective the way the notes just hang in the air and you can follow the mallet as it strikes the vibes on the Cal and almost see the skin on the drum when it's struck it's night and day for my ears.

Would love to hear what the Technics/Cal could do with the cartridge that's usually on Michael's main table.

It seems Technics are no longer able to manufacture a flat platter. There are plenty of videos on Youtube. My old 2006 SL1210 Mk2 is way better. Technics say they are 'within tolerance' and that the tonearm can cope with fluctuations. If you are considering a 1200G or 1200GR check yours and send it back whilst you can of you're not happy.

Here are a couple of examples:

https://youtu.be/aQj3kVPcJLo

https://youtu.be/b5QP_x6SQLs

I preferred the second one...there is more air and texture in the sound and it seems connected and everything played as a whole not like some separate entity which the sound from the 1200G(?) clip produced. I could feel entwined and become involved and yes musicality is subjective but for me, the sound from the Caliburn clip is for me a better sound not because it's more musical which is subjective but clearly stirred my emotions and involvement. I think Wow and Flutter at this level of precision between the two tables are negligible and I doubt anyone is able to tell the difference. However, the micro details and dynamics are easily open to observation. Regardless of whether the sound has been switched or whether one is the Technics or Caliburn's price, I simply preferred the second sound and it's my kind of sound regardless of price.