Both sounded pretty good. But if you are one with a rather eclectic taste in music like me, you want a durable all-rounder that can make everything sound good, and my trusty Technics 1210 mk2 never let's me down.

Rega wins in my opinion. Just sounded better.

I found that on my RP6 with Ortofon 2M Black, tarting it up with all the GrooveTracer mods, especially the delrin platter, kicked everything up more than a few notches. Everything got quieter and smoother. Highly recommend the GT additions. Thanks for the video work.

Check out my other Rega vs Technics Shootout here. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ibBop9xisNXLe3U.html

I owned a Technics back in the 80's and now I have a Rega RP-1. I think that both turntables deliver, but in my opinion, accessibility is key. Accessibility in easily changing speeds. I own 45's and it drive me nuts to lift the base on a Rega just to change the belt position to spin at 45 RPM. Just for that alone, I go with the Technics.

Both sounded good, I preferred the Rega but maybe the Technics for a party

Two absolutely world class turntables! I would be over the moon if I owned a Technics V2 or the Rega Planar 6! Can't go wrong with either tbh. Great video, just subscribed.

That is a useful comparison. Technics stopping the SL1200 production was one of the most short-sighted decisions in the audio industry history. I pretty much agree with the findings and would add that most of the sound differences probably come from looking at the two turntables playing. I reckon that if they were not shown, these differences would be diminished more. Since we are not talking about a brand new SL1200 anymore though, I think a fairer comparison would be between an SL1200 with the RB300 arm compared with a Rega using the same mat as the SL1200. Then we'd be talking apples to apples.

Very nice review! I've always loved Technics. But I have to say the Rega sounds dynamically a bit better: more definition and more clarity. However the old MK2 does a very good job. Last but not least: although the MC-3 Turbo is a great cartridge, another cartridge perhaps could have another result. Best regards from The Netherlands!

To my ears he Rega sounds much better in pretty much every possible measurement. Warmer, better midrange, much better trailing edges of trebble sounds.

Great comparison with the two turntables I actually own and I prefer the P6 myself as well...thanks!

The real winner would be the Technics with a Rega Arm! I have a modified SL-1200 MK2 with a Origin Live armboard and a Orgin Live modified Rega RB250 arm ("structural upgrade", internal re-wire, external re-wire, slotted armtube and polished silver finish) and it sounds better than any other turntable I have heard!

Very well done! From my perspective, the Rega was a real treat in the lower registers. Meaty base. The Technics 'table did everything else better, but, the real question here is what cartridge/phono amp combinations contributed. Excellent video, you have a new subscriber! Please carry on!

Absolutely obvious differences! With my eyes closed I could easily identify which deck was which even with low bitrate KZfaq audio through crappy laptop speakers. The Technics sounded hard, shrill, forward and two-dimensional and made me want to turn the volume down. The Rega sounded much more natural; the music swelled and ebbed with real dynamics as the musician's playing volume altered; the Technics tended to "shout" everything at the same volume. Nice, deep soundstage too. On the very first track (the Sarah Vaughan) the Technics didn't separate the kick drum "bombs" from the double bass; It wasn't until the Rega sample that I became aware of the kick drum at all.

Both turntables sound great, but I’ll stick with the Technics 1200mk2. Had mine since 1989 and I absolutely love them 😎

Amazing that and old technics still can hold its own with a record player that is around 1600 bucs without a cartridge

Thank you for the video, very nice and concise. I had the chance to listen to an earlier model 'TECH-nics SL1200 at my cousins', years ago. It was great how much 'good forward' sound emerged from it. I own a P6 for half a year now (MC) and still, I recognize pretty exactly what sound it produces in your video. My opinion: please listen to the piano harmonics in the Queen track to find the Planar 6 has far more wide frequency 'analogue' (yeah, I said it) sound there! 🇳🇱

Thanks for the video but the Planar 6 vs SL-1200GR would be a better comparison as the MK2 hasn't been changed or upgraded in decades.

Great effort and Interesting demo. For me it was still very very hard to tell any differences. Both sounded almost identical. Anyways can I suggest you do another demo but this time labelling them with just A and B decks vs Technics and Rega? This way we can really sort out them golden ear listeners.

Just for it's look and design I would prefer the Rega RP6. For it's easy use, high versatility, flexybility as well the high quality and durability for decades I prefer the Technics. I dreamed of a 1200 without DJ equipment and detachable cables with a Ortofon 2M Blue and easy adjustable tonearm. So I did the absolute right decicison to buy the Technics SL-1500C at a local dealer and this was no mistake. I just changed the 2M Red stylus against the 2M Blue.

Sold my Planar 3 for an SL-1210GR. I'm not looking back. I've never heard the 6, though. In my experience, using the same cart (Nagaoka mp 150), the Technics floored my Rega. Deeper bass, more slam, more shimmer on the highs, better imaging, you name it. I think it's due to 1) much better speed control and 2) the increased flexibility in cart setup. Rega's biggest flaw is the fact that they'll go over the moon to make using non-Rega carts a PITA. No precise VTA or azimuth adjustment and the absence of useful spec information (wow/flutter, capacitance, ect..) on their tables/arms does not sit well with me.

i actually preferred the rega for the queen track, the low end was more present and it sounds more open a better put together, I really enjoyed that track on the rega, as for the other the difference was more difficult to perceive but the rega has more air in it, BUT considering the price at which you can get a Sl1200 in very good shape, it truly is an amazing value, I love my MK5.

the Rega sounds beautiful i could hear the details better on the Otis Redding track better than the others but what a beautiful sound

Would be really interesting to hear the Technics with the same Rega arm as on the p6.

Technics wins hands down. How can't you hear the difference, especially in voices. Overall, much more clarity and transparency. Didn't expect this, though.

I have had 2 technics in the past and both had problems with the electronics, I still have 3 regas and one I have greatly upgraded with all aftermarket extras, I like the look of the technics but wish I could find one that kept working.

I like the sound of the Rega P6 better. More detail & smoother sound.

I have the Rega P3 50th anniversary deck, Nagaoka MP-200 cart. I believe in a blind test, you wouldn't be able to distinguish one from the other. Both sound great to me.

Is the ortofon mc turbo cartridge a mm or a mc cartridge? Did you use this same cartridge on both tt's? I thought the Rega sounded warmer and more detailed. Great comparison between two awesome tt's.

I found the Technics to be slightly harsher in the end of side 'mistracking' zone. The Rega handled itself better and with more depth and detail. I would not describe the Rega 6 as an entry level turntable though! That would be the P1 or P2.

i have a good cd player,so i think i will go with the Rega,it sound more warmer and rounder like a turntable!

A blind AB test is best. Don't show tt or whatever product being tested. That can create a pre conceived bias. Thanks for your efforts.

No belt crap: everlasting direkt drive! Technics!

Need a shootout between Denon VL 12 Prime and Technics Sl1200. More of an even up comparison than with Rega 6.

What are the W&F specs on the rega? Does it even play at 33.3? Belts are always a hair fast or slow. Pitch adjustment?

Very different turntables that resume an old but very pertinent confrontation in hi-fi: macro Vs. microdynamics. The Technics has rithym, pace, drive. It's a feet-tapper. Not so much for the Rega, which has a little bit more detail, more instrument separation. I'd go with the Technics, but it's a matter of taste and, most importantly, of majority of music genre to play.

With the Rega I heard more richness and tonal saturation on each note and more textures. Also the Technics seemed to accentuate sibilants more and sounds thinner in the midrange. The Rega sounds like humans playing music in a real space. The Techincs to me sounds more mechanical and flat.

They both sounded pretty good to me

Some thoughts - did you try swapping carts to see if the difference you hear is due to manufacturing variations in the carts? Were both turntables set up optimally - both perfectly level, tonearms, carts/styli aligned correctly, stylus weight, tonearm level correct?

Listening with headphones, the SL-1200 sounded better to me. Much more width and sounstage. The only one that was not better was the Otis Redding track. The biggest weakness of the SL-1200 is the tonearm wire and I think if that is changed out to match the whatever tonearm wire is in the Rega, I think there would be a bigger difference there. The SL-1200 tonearm wire is just not a good match for MC carts and even MM carts can sound kind of dull. I think that is what was going on here. But the first jazz track and the Queen track sounded much better on the 1200 becuase those tracks did not have as much low background information that really shows the difference in tonearm wire, but it did show the difference in the tables for sure. The Rega on that first track just sounds flat compared to the 1200.

From my point of view the: Rega sounded little more dry and controlled. Technics sounded more organic but bright. I liked them both!

I've done this test myself many many times.. This video is the same result. Technics wins in sounstage and clarity but just doesn't quite nail the sibilence as well and tends to splash and grain. Rega has a little extra colour in the bass which is 'musical' but also less neutral I would say. I've struggled to get the Technics to track as well as the RB300 Rega. I think it's down to the difficulty in getting the alignment as accurate on the Technics. Also maybe the straight tonearm helps I don't know

Have you played a record of white noise through both and recorded it? By looking at the frequency analysis, you could pinpoint exactly what the frequency response differences are. Of course, what matters to us more is how we perceive the music. But bias is so hard to counteract... It's probably affecting us more than we know.

Rega sounds very good, it is really music on the natural nuances, but I don't know if the price range is the same.

rega wins, hands down. i hear more channel separation between left and right and a larger soundstage and clarity. there was subtle dynamics that are heard witht he rega vs the technics. but i will add that the rega may have better quality tonearm cables, headshell leads and rca cables which is what your mostly listening to besides the cart/stylus itself. Rega hands down was built to have a better hifi upgrade on these wires vs the technics are a generic wires. Not to say technics is not a good turntable, because it absolutely is but those rewire upgrades on a technics would do wonders if applied. the rega is great for home use and hifi or audiophiles, the technics is great for the road. both turntables are king and the technics wires can always be upgraded. There is a reason both turntables have longstanding names and all its models resemble one another only making upgrades to its parts and not selling you gimmicks. every rega is looks pretty much the same, and every technics looks the same because they are both quality. if you compare them to other makes, like for example numark or some other brand, every turntable seems to have a new look, with new gadgets and new claims of of new technology. Regas and Technics models are upgrades that are not necessarily aesthetic, they are internal and parts upgrades such as the motor or platter or tonearm, etc.

I was using the same thing a couple of years ago the Rega P6 with the Ortofon MC-3 Turbo then I moved to a Dynavector 17D3 cart with the P6 and a Manley Chinook SE Phono Preamp and it was insane the detail retrieval, but I got a USED Rega RP8 and blew the P6 out of the water way better for almost the same cost. But finally I sold all of the other Rega TT's and bought a new Technics SL-1200G with a Audio Technics ART9 cart and was even more impressed with the combo. Bang for Buck has to go to the Technics in sound it does everything well. But as of recent events I decide to get out of Vinyl where my Technics is on Ebay right now with $2,000 in upgrades ready to ship. :(

Thank you for making this comparison! I find it really well made and serves as a good reference to the differences between these turntables. Owning a P3 myself I instantly recognized the Rega sound. I agree with your comments (and taste in music) but I’d like to ask you about something a bit off-topic: what is your impression on that Icon Audio?? I have their HP8 (headphone amp) which I used to listen to your video and I love it, but it’s been tough to find other people’s experience with their phono stage. There just doesn’t seem to be that much information around... Do you find it has a particular sound signature, or any notorious flaws?

The Technic sounds similar to CDs and DACs and and the Rega sounds more natural, I’d go for the Rega. Thanks for the video, I’m sure it will help a lot of people who are deciding between these two units.

Turntable is an instrument. Thats why those two tt are very different. Rega is amazing, i had the RP1 and it sound beautiful. But the technics got more benifits. With the rega you have a lot of options for upgrade. With the technics you got a tt for lifetime, only cartridge will be at mind. No belts or spacers. Thats why i purchased the 1210GR.

Thanks for your video, I currently have a Technics 1200 MK2 and was wondering what would be a great overall cartridge replacement for the stock head-shell. Currently I have the Shure M44-7 setup which is now no longer manufactured. I primarily listen to classic Rock through a vintage Sansui Tuner Amps built in phono stage. Thanks

One factor not mentioned here is the upgradability of the Technics. The bearing can be serviced for example or the headshell can be replaced with one made from Ebony. But the best upgrade is the feet. The feet on the SL1200s are dreadful. But for a hundred bucks you can get Isonoe Feet (in effect mini trampolines) or Maglev feet from Ali Express for even less. This lifts the unit to Planar 10 levels. Another meaningful upgrade is to open the chassis and from inside and also from underneath Dynamat can be placed. This all means that micro-vibrations are all but eliminated. But even without any of this why would anyone take a belt drive when a direct drive can be had for less.

The conclusion is fascinating in that I thought there was a very audible differentiation between the two - and through my LG TV speakers no less. The Rega had much better separation between vocals/instruments, more fullness around same. The Technics presentation was compressed/flat and nasal/thin. I've owned the 1200 multiple times and this comparisons nails why I just don't like it. Genuinely shocked the difference would be so clear despite YT compression and mediocre speakers though.

I have a SL-1210mk2 and a Rega Planar3. I changed the wiring throughout the 1210mk2 for higher quality audio, as these TT are tuned for Disco and Club playback. I put on a Longer heavier counterweight for better tracking. I use the Nagaoka MP-150h, You can use the MP-110H, Realigned In the Headshell. Then the Schit-Mani Pre-Amp Into My amp and speakers. It Is like the band are right In front of You, You can hear every note pluck and reframe so clearly. If You close Your eyes You can even place the Performers exactly where they should be. The Rega, Is In It's box In the loft where It belongs. Even with a Red Devil Belt, It still couldn't keep the correct speed. Thanks for sharing, and go with the SL-1200mk2 do the Improvements, and You will never want another TT.

Difference is in the tone arms.

Owning neither I preferred the Rega.

Cartridge compliance is an issue here, as you are using the same cartridge on two very different tonearms.

very clear diction throughout. you must have used a hi end mic

There’s a difference in price here as well .. I really wanted to give the rega a go .. maybe the P3 but now I’m back to my original idea of 1200 upgrade .. tone arm, cart and power supply .. levels up the cost and I’m probably sure a better sound .. I love pro-ject and Rega turntables still and part of me wants them to better the 1200/1210 .. but definitely the weak point of the 12’ is it’s tonearm

Technics is Technics, no doubt about it. A 40 years old DD table is competing edge to edge with a brand new audiophile beltdrive that is made with modern sophistication. And it comes out winner especially in bass frequencies and soundstage. Can Rega do that after 40 years?

Listening to this from my phone, The Rega sounded much fuller.

I had a 1210 Mk2 and after that a Rega Planar 2 and the rega Planar 2 had a better sound quality for sure.

Very similar but I thought the technics edged it in overall presentation. The technics would benefit from a tonearm upgrade.

Technics is so smooth. Such a pleasant to listen first jazz track on it! But every other Raga were better. Maybe if the vinyl is got to be masked imperfections, Technics is way to go. Other clean records are great on Rega. So detailed!

Amazing how much better the Rega 6 sounds. Maybe a real arm vs. a chunk of curved aluminum helped.

what I heard it was the SL1200mk2 's sound stage much bigger then P6 . You can feel air in the recording room .

Just to make one rather obvious point - you're judging the Rega while (as far as I can see) it has a very large resonant mass attached to it, in the form of its lid. The Technics doesn't. In my experience that will directly affect the sound of the deck.

Rega very hyped.

Any subtle differences were lost in the youtube encoding. The signal to noise ratio is no doubt better with the Riga, but the 1200 will still be giving the dame performance in 50 years time, I doubt the Riga will be. 1200's a indestructible. The "MK" stands for "mark" - so 1200 mark 2.

I have both, with a nagaoka mp 300 mount. The Technics is the winner.🐱

Now you need to take the rega tonearm arm and pop it on the Technics ... apparently this is a really good mod

Deux très bonne platine vinyl je possède une Technics SL1210m5g ... je conte acheter une Réga aussi P8

Surely part of the difference could be due to the Rega having a more rigid one piece tone arm while the Technics has a removable head shell that could provide a weaker mechanical connection to the turn table body. I've noticed that SL1200 Mk2's have 2 small Phillips head screws securing the head shell socket, located on the bottom of the tone arm right near the connecting point. A very short Phillips screwdriver can be used to ensure these screws are nice and tight without having to remove the tone arm.

Overall the Rega sounds better here...BUT it costs around $2k. You can buy a 1200mk2, make some improvements to it for less money and bring it above the Rega overall. There is a video I watched the other day where all the person did was edit the video to switch between the stock internal power supply on his 1200mk2 and whatever external one being used, and the difference was very obviously better...clarity, openness, details, sheen, the soundstaging, etc.

Very close. The SL1200 sounds just a tiny bit tinny in the treble region. As the cartridge is the same, probably the difference in tone arms.

The Rega is a superior music player. Instruments and voices sound more natural and it is also more rhythmically precise. Also surface noice was more pronounced with the Technics, as was sibilance, which points to a peaky top end which could give the false impression that it has a more detailed sound.

For me, the Rega is the winner!

I hear static with Technics and the Rega sounds very clear.

the rega smashs it no contest wins hands down

I know for a fact, if you own both turntables, that you listen to the Rega more(and there is a reason).

I'm not sure what sampling audio equipment does when youtube audio has limitations. Rega Planar 6 at $2,250 CAD is more than an entry hifi level, no?

A belt driven turntable (Rega in this case) sounds more alive than a DD one. However this is good mostly for a live music imho )

I thought the Technics had the edge but I'll admit, I'm a vintage TT guy.

Wow. What a difference. I've owned both and the Rega with an SME type VxMR vs the Technics SL-1200mk5 was no contest. The Rega has a very outstanding bass as I've been a Jazz live fanatic especially in Chueys at the time. You have a love of the hollow sound of the Rega is pathetic. I've has a tri-amped Threshold/ Accuton / Focal for bass drivers and a variety of tables of which the best was with the SME-3 - Technics SP-15 or SOTA are the best I've heard. Get rid of your preconceptions. I would like the EPA 100 with ruby bearings as this is the greatest by far and I mean by a massive margin. Once you hear it, the control and damping that is part of the build is technically and by every form of testing beyond anything that has ever been made. All but frictionless, it stays in the grove for any of the medium compliance cartridges. Considering Doug Sax had the Technics SP-10mk2 with obsidian base and EPA 100 tone arm and Stanton 981L as his reference, it makes sense. By the way, most of your records were cut on and SP-02, using DEC PDP10 and rotational accuracy and speed looped monitoring over 1000 times per rotation and later the VAX 32 bit system with the Neuman (as always) and Ortofon cutter system is so far beyond your mind that unless you see it, you would not believe it as the power of this monster and accuracy has NEVER BEEN EQUALLED by any master cutting system PERIOD. Many times stronger and accurate than the SP-10mkIII well over a decade before.

Rega wins by a long shot, more deep and smooth, airy presentation, while Technics delivers more mechanical sound, but this was not fair comparing SL1200 MK, it must be GR version in this shoot out.

Technics sounded better. More life-like and authoritative bottom end. The Rega was close, but more definition in the Technics IMO.

Rega for me

I think this shows how great the Rega is here. I could hear the difference on all tracks except the Holiday one. It just sounds more together but I agree maybe if you got a good cart and stage Technics would be good enough. I'm interested just have a kid who would wreck it so sadly not an option at the moment

u definitely hear alot more from the planar 6, and thats normal , given the price difference of both TT (as of 2022). that said, i just bought a sl1200mk2 used as my first tt, and i m damn happy/satisfied with it haha.

The P6 makes that other "turntable" sound broken! Have you got the "broken" turntable set up to it's best? Nice video thank you for the comparison. PS. The other "turntable" cost more in the u.k,you may be better of using a Rega P2 to make a fairer comparison so the "broken" turntable stands a slight chance!

The Rega sounded less congested with better microdynamics, performances in the recordings were better separated and described. The Technics sounded thinner and more nasal. I had to concentrate harder to hear things that the Rega resolved easily, whenever the recording was played back on the Technics. Your comment about using a better phono preamp with the Technics was odd. If the Rega was better than the Technics the addition of a different phono preamp wouldn’t make it catch up. Perhaps changing the tonearm would make more sense. The Technics was outclassed by the Rega in the form you presented it.

Rega sounds like real life.

I listen through a pair of AKG K 273 Pro and Denon DA 10 DAC/headphone amplifiers. The sound is good. P6 is sweeter but I don't particularly like this set-up. Overall the sound as I hear it is not my cup of tea.

Wow, the Technics is so much more alive and real sounding, more open, far better than the P6.

I have had the technics and the previous model or rega, the RP6, and the rega sounded much more engaging and musical than the technics. I ended up selling both and upgrading to a high level rega.

Interesting... For electronic music, I like the SL1200 better. For vocals, you can pick out the inflections, vibrato and vocal details better with the Planar 6. I used to have an SL1200 MKII as well as a 1600, but now use belt drives due to the style of music I play. Great vid!!

Technics sounds more planted and with a solid foundation, more dynamic and open. Rega is smoother sounding but missing something IMO. Billie Holiday is much more engaging on the Technics, the saxophone sounds more realistic and transparent.

I think a better comparison would’ve been the Technics SL-1200GR/1210GR and the Rega P6, instead of comparing a 40+ y/o tt with a new one.

Hello, interesting comparison, although the results are very relative. The differences are very small, perhaps the Technics sounds more open and faster, while the Planar is quieter and rounder. These results can tip the scale back and forth by swapping the cables or the turntable mat as the differences are subtle. Although the settings are the same for both cases, it depends on each recording. For example, if the record is boring, perhaps with the 1200 the results will be better, or vice versa, if the record is more strident, the Planar will win. This in terms of sound ... there are other parameters such as robustness, durability, stability, confidence and practicality, where the 1200 has a clear advantage over the Rega. I like both, they depend on the context, such as the recording, the preamplifier, the rest of the chain and even the acoustic conditions of the room, but above all, the taste and perception capacity of each one. I liked your channel, I just subscribed ...🧐

the sax sounds quite good on the Technics, all the rest of course less precise, voices far away, cello or contrabass was so nice on the Rega. Technics voice far away.

The Technics is good but it just wont loosen up... music sounds well timed but is too rigid, mechanical and almost digital. The Rega sounds alot better imo where only the music remains and it gets into your soul instead of just processing it in yer head