While the VP for Sales and Marketing for Stanton during the 90's, I had to concentrate my sales efforts on DJ merchandise, as that for "hi-fi" products was all but non existent. Stanton sold loads and loads of DJ cartridges, but a paltry amount of quality, "serious" ones. Naturally, I became very familiar with the Technics Sl-1200, as it's been the choice turntable for DJ's for as long as I can remember.

The SL-1200 is built like a tank, and will likely last its owner that owner's lifetime (and then some). The abuse DJ's give a turntable (and cartridge) would make an audio purist's hair stand on end, but the 1200 is up to the task.

That said, I have little use for a 1200 in a "serious" music system. Its clunky, very massive S-shaped tonearm is just too much for many a fine cartridge. I recently "won" a Dual CS-5000 on eBay, and, frankly, it runs rings around an SL-1200, and does so for less money.

I paid $299 for mine, including two cartridges (one of which is the Shure V/15 Type V - not a bad deal!). Since then, I've seen others come and go for under $200, which to me, is an outright steal.

There are better turntables out there than the CS-5000, but not for the prices one can get one for today. My personal recommendation would be to look for one, and not a new Sl-1200. Unless, of course, you want to beat the he** out of the turntable!

My two cents, as always.