Even The "Standard" Version of Technics' New SL-1200 Is Ridiculously Overpriced

Last year, Technics announced that it would be bringing back an old favorite: the storied (and slightly overrated) SL-1200. It's a readily-identifiable silhouette, one you've no doubt seen in action at your local all-vinyl night or perhaps even as the centerpiece to your audiophile homie's setup (though it's really not meant for hi-fi usage.) But the updated version "gold" version not only sold-out almost instantly, but did so with a whopping $4,000 price tag.

Now, Technics has announced a "standard" model of the ultra-coveted turntable, that isn't quite as insanely expensive as its reimagined high-end predecessor. But according to Gizmodo, it's still slated to hit retail for about $2,000. If you're wondering why the 1200s are the subject of such an insane uptick in pricing, a recent interview with Technics creative director, Hiro Morishita, should bring you up to speed. According Morishita, Technics is abandoning its legacy in hip-hop for high-fidelity home units, claiming that marketing to contemporary DJs is "problematic," hoping to cement the legendary wheel of steel as a go-to option for the burgeoning record collector...if they can afford it.

The big lesson here: if you've already got your hands on an SL-1200, maybe just keep it? An official release date for Technics' "standard" version of the SL-1200 has yet to make way, but we fully expect to see it at some point this year.