Technics to move Turntable manufacturing to Malaysia

[PhilCohen]

Right now, there is a rather fierce discussion going on (at the Steve Hoffman forums) concerning Technics' decision to move turntable manufacturing from Japan to Malaysia, and whether this will be detrimental to product quality. I won't be affected by any of this. My SL-1210 Mk.2 (1995) and SL1210GAE (2021) were both made in Japan. I like them and I will be holding onto them.
Certainly, used Japanese-made Technics turntables will now have a premium price, as consumers seek out a product from the "Good 'ol Days".. A similar situation exists for certain pieces of recording studio equipment (such as microphones and compressor/limiters) even though, for the microphones the same model (perhaps slightly revised or updated) is still being manufactured. People want the older version from the "Good 'ol Days" .
But will a Malaysia-manufactured Technics turntable really have inferior craftsmanship or performance versus older Japan-manufactured units? Technics advertising campaign for the (now sold out) limited edition SL-1210GAE was based around the mystique of the unit being handcrafted in Japan by artisans. That was a strong selling point.

 

[lovinthehd]

LOL whatever is going on at SH forums, pretty nutty usually. If they can keep their standards up it won't matter. Yamaha has been producing audio gear there for a long while as have others. Even if it were Vietnam or China does it really matter as long as the brand enforces product quality standards? What, you think made in USA at this point would be "better" at the same price or something?

ps I have a Technics SL1200mk2 purchased in 84 IIRC (maybe 85)

 

[sterling shoote]

It seems the Made In Malaysia TTs are at odds with Technics advertising for its TTs Made in Japan, which alludes to tonearm assembly by highly skilled Japanese Artisans being an important factor for TT satisfaction. So, now what does Technics do to convince buyers that the Malaysian built TT is OK when the market has been convinced that it's the Japanese Artisans who are assuring satisfaction?

 

[TankTop5]

This made me think, when I was 14 I lied and said I was 16 to get a job. Worked all summer (until the FBI raided the store) to save up to buy my first audio equipment, a Technics MASH CD player and Kenwood receiver.

 

[cpp]

AS long as the warranty is supported, I these days just don't care where its made. Hell most of everything we have in our homes, outside our homes or own our bodies is not always made in the USA. ITs commonplace these days. Send manufactuering to another source at the expense of labor cost.

 

[Mikado463]

AS long as the warranty is supported, I these days just don't care where its made.

the best warranty is the one you never have to use .........

 

[cpp]

the best warranty is the one you never have to use .........

SO very true

 

[slipperybidness]

LOL whatever is going on at SH forums, pretty nutty usually. If they can keep their standards up it won't matter. Yamaha has been producing audio gear there for a long while as have others. Even if it were Vietnam or China does it really matter as long as the brand enforces product quality standards? What, you think made in USA at this point would be "better" at the same price or something?

ps I have a Technics SL1200mk2 purchased in 84 IIRC (maybe 85)

I can compare this to Shimano with their low end production in Taiwan, mid-level in Malaysia, and high end in Japan.

On a pure performance basis, there isn't much difference, esp between Malaysia vs. Japan. The difference gets to be with the materials chosen, the fit and finish, and the prestige.

All of the Shimano stuff from Malaysia has been great! The stuff from Japan likely looks nicer and feels nicer in my hands, but when I'm out riding I don't even give it a second thought.

At the end of the day, it just comes back to quality control, the country or origin is not important. Heck, even if it was "hand assembled in Japan", they are likely importing most of the parts from China.

 

[Mikado463]

reminds me of Seiko, great watches and the Grand Seiko is up their with some of the best offerings from the Germans and the Swiss, yet it still seems to take a back seat......

 

[panteragstk]

This made me think, when I was 14 I lied and said I was 16 to get a job. Worked all summer (until the FBI raided the store) to save up to buy my first audio equipment, a Technics MASH CD player and Kenwood receiver.

I feel like this story is worth the thread derailment...