From Vinyl to Digital starring: Technics, Denon and Pioneer

For years the standard in Djing was turntables.  The brand that was popularized in the industry was the Technics 1200 DJ turntable.  Introduced for DJs in 1978 this turntable revolutionized the way DJs were able to mix.  The Technics 1200 was designed to be the industry standard DJ turntable that would appeal as the work horse for the nightclub DJ.  Built with pitch control for beat mataching/tempo matching and complete with a heavy duty industrial look the Technics 1200 turntable was ahead of its time.  Over the years these turntable ran the industry from nightclubs to weddings.  In the end analog finally went to digital and many companies jumped on the bang wagon and designed a easier access cd/mp3 player that resembled the legendary Technics 1200.

The Panasonic Corporation ended the production of the Technics 1200 Mk6 turntable ( RIP )-Oct 2010.  A legacy at it's best is gone and so are the old record stores.  It's a digital area and people don't want to put a needle on a record when they can DJ and mix on their Apple I Pad 2.

For anyone ( leftover ) selling a brand new Technics 1200 can expect a better return as the unit doubled in price from $500 - $1000 making it quite a commodity around wholesales retail such as Guitar Center, Sam Ash, PSSL and Hollywood DJ.  While searching ebay can bring upon a better value it is still uncertain how well the turntable will run.  Remember this turntables have been around since 1978 and still look the same thus making it seem like a good deal.  I say if you don't own one and your a DJ or music buff then I strongly suggest on picking one or ( two ) up.  Slap in a 2 channel mixer and away you go.

http://gizmodo.com/#!5675818/end-of-an-era-panasonic-kills-off-technics-turntables

http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2010/10/28/dead-spin-panasonic-discontinues-technics-analog-turntables/

The Technics SL-1200 MK2 K3 MK4 MK5 MK5G M5G MK6 LTD & GLD are a series of turntables manufactured since October 1972 by Matsushita under the brand name of Technics. S means "Stereo", L means "Player". Originally released as a high fidelity consumer record player, it quickly became adopted among radio and club disc jockeys. Since its release in 1978, SL-1200MK2 and its successors have been the most common turntable for DJingand scratching. The MK2 presented several improvements, including to the motor and casing. Since 1972, more than 3 million units have been sold. It is widely regarded as one of the most durable and reliable turntables ever produced. Many of the models manufactured in the 1970s are still in heavy use. Rappers have referred to the turntable in pairs as "1200's", "Tee 12's", "Technics", "Tec 12's", "wheels of steel" and "the one and twos". In the autumn of 2010, Panasonic announced that the series was to be discontinued due to marketplace conditions.^[3]

At the London Science Museum, Technics SL-1210 is on display^[4] as one of the pieces of technology that have shaped the world we live in.^[5]

*The evolution of the turntable evolved into many different makes and models for the digital DJ*

The Denon DN-S3700 Direct Drive Turntable Media Player and Controller

Is a solid, single-deck portable DJ instrument that provides working DJs with a host of useful features for enhanced creative flexibility. Most notably, thanks to its large 9" spinning platter design, the DN-S3700 literally offers the "best of both worlds" from both digital and analog realms. In addition to a host of advanced digital features, including USB and MIDI control, the sleek and elegant media player includes a built-in authentic vinyl record for surface control driven by Denon DJ's High Torque Direct Drive motor. This provides users with the classic and unmistakable feel of true vinyl.

The Pioneer CJD-2000 is prepared for any performance

Adapting to today's variety of media formats, the Pioneer CDJ-2000 media player enables playback of MP3, AAC, WAV, and AIFF audio files from CDs and USB memory devices, and from DVDs and SD cards as well. A USB port located on top of the turntable enables users to quickly connect an external storage device such as a Tonium Pacemaker or a hard drive packed with music files, minimizing the need to bring a laptop computer to performances.

The Pioneer CDJ-2000 turntable includes rekordbox, Pioneer's proprietary music management software for PC/Mac that organizes and catalogs a DJ's entire music library. When music files are imported to rekordbox, the software analyzes each file and prepares them for use specifically with the CDJ turntable.