In February of 2010, Technics will cease production of the DJ's all-time favorite turntable - the SL-1200. I'm sure that's good news for compeitors in the DJ business, and it's something that's been bounced around for quite a few years. While Technics SL-1200's outsold virtually all other DJ turntables, the total number sold worldwide never came close to the amount sold during the heyday of the audio business, before CD's were invented. Given the manufacturing cost of the SL-1200, I'm surprised Technics didn't do this much sooner.

And now, it would appear, the price gouging begins. Pro Sound & Stage Lighting, one of the largest mail-order/online DJ retailers is now selling the SL-1200 for a whopping $799.95! Perhaps a DJ may be willing to shell out that much for this product (few other DJ turntables ever stood up to the abuse a DJ gives a turntable than the SL-1200 did), but anyone interested in a turntable for Hi-Fi use now has good reason to look elsewhere. For $800, one can do a LOT better.

Still, it's a bit sad that such a landmark product will soon be history.