Sheet 05 · Head to head
M5G vs G
8 of the 8 figures in the comparison table differ. The M5G is from the classic line (1972 to 2010), the G from the revival (2016 on).
M5G
The 30th-anniversary deck: first digital pitch, a ±16% range and blue LEDs. Turntablists liked it best.
2002–10
G
The hi-fi flagship: coreless twin-rotor motor, four-layer cabinet, 18 kg.
2016–
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 2002–10
- 2016–
- Motor
- Quartz-locked DC direct drive
- Coreless twin-rotor direct drive
- Starting torque
- 1.5 kg·cm
- 3.3 kg·cm
- Wow & flutter
- 0.025% WRMS
- 0.025%
- Pitch
- Digital ±8% / ±16%
- ±8% / ±16%
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
- ~18 kg
- At launch
- MK5 + premium
- ~$4,000
05.3What each one changed
M5G
vs MK5: digital pitch control (±8/±16 switchable), blue LEDs, upgraded tonearm wiring, brake knob.
Used market: Scarce on the US market (Aug 2026): historically $800–1,200+ per deck, and current listings are so thin that a lone 1210M5G ask sits at $4,000
Full model sheet →G
vs classic 1200s: everything, new motor, cabinet, platter and tonearm. Shares only the silhouette and the controls.
Used market: Holds value: used asks ~$3,000–4,000 equivalent (mostly European listings, Aug 2026); US used supply is thin
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] Turntable Lab[3] Crossfader[4] Stereophile specs