Technics SL-1200M7L Limited Edition Turntable: the 50-Year Anniversary Model

Attention DJs—to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary SL-1200 which first hit the market when I was in grade school , Technics is releasing 12,000 (model name + zero) SL-1200M7L’s into the wild.

From the press release:

The model will be available in seven limited-edition colors to reflect the street culture that continues to inspire generations of DJs. The tone arm is anodized in a golden hue, and the top panel features a special badge with an engraved serial number that represents the limited-edition model. Special accessories include a slip mat with a gold-colored Technics logo and a 50th anniversary sticker. Only 12,000 units will be released globally.

Based on the SL-1200MK7 from 2019, the limited-edition design offers a number of features beyond cosmetics (not that there’s anything wrong with cosmetics):

Coreless direct drive motor achieving stable rotation free of cogging and powerful torque
Highly sensitive, yet robust tonearm accurately reading the signal engraved in the record groove
Two-layer structure platter with improved vibration damping performance
High rigidity cabinet and high damping insulator for thorough shut-out of all vibrations, even during harsh operation conditions
Starting torque/brake speed adjustment function
Pitch control function enables accurate and stable pitch adjustment
Reverse play function expands the flexibility of DJ playing styles
Stylus illuminator featuring a high-brightness and long-life LED

The SL-1200M7L will be available for pre-order from select dealers (see below) on April 7, 2022 for $1,099.99, with ship dates beginning in July.