Sheet 05 · Head to head
GLD vs M7L
6 of the 8 figures in the comparison table differ. The GLD is from the classic line (1972 to 2010), the M7L from the revival (2016 on).
GLD
Three million sold, in black gloss and gold; 3,000 units on an M5G heart.
2004
M7L
50 years of the 1200: 12,000 units, seven colors, gold tonearms.
2022
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 2004
- 2022
- Motor
- Quartz-locked DC direct drive
- Coreless direct drive
- Starting torque
- 1.5 kg·cm
- 1.8 kg·cm
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
- 9.6 kg
- At launch
- Limited edition
- $1,099.99
05.2Identical on both
- Wow & flutter
- 0.025% WRMS
- Pitch
- Digital ±8% / ±16%
05.3What each one changed
GLD
vs M5G: commemorative gold-hardware finish; otherwise an M5G.
Used market: Collector piece; trades well above M5G money
Full model sheet →M7L
vs MK7: colorways, gold tonearm, serial badge, slipmat.
Used market: Well above launch (Aug 2026): $2,500+ single asks in LA, ~$4,500 for a pair, ~$3,000 ask for a white one on Reverb
Full model sheet →Figures from the same sources as each model sheet. A dash means the figure is not published in our sources; we do not invent specs.[1] Wikipedia[2] Crossfader[3] Panasonic press release[4] Technics 50th