Sheet 05 · Head to head
MK1 vs MK4
7 of the 8 figures in the comparison table differ. Both are from the classic line (1972 to 2010).
MK1
The original, sold as a hi-fi deck. Disco and radio DJs picked it up anyway.
1972–78
MK4
Built for listening, not DJing: 78 rpm, detachable cables, an upgraded arm. Rarely seen outside Japan.
1996–97
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 1972–78
- 1996–97
- Motor
- FG-servo direct drive
- Quartz-locked DC direct drive
- Starting torque
- –
- 1.5 kg·cm
- Wow & flutter
- –
- 0.025% WRMS
- Pitch
- ±5% rotary (33/45 separate)
- ±8% (detented)
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- At launch
- ~$350
- ~$650
05.2Identical on both
- Weight
- –
05.3What each one changed
MK1
First of the line. Direct-drive motor derived from the SL-1100, integrated S-shaped tonearm, die-cast aluminum cabinet.
Used market: US askings ~$600–850 in Good condition (Aug 2026); clean collector examples go higher
Full model sheet →MK4
vs MK3: +78 rpm, detachable cables, upgraded tonearm and wiring; aimed at listeners, not DJs.
Used market: Import-only rarity; prized by collectors who play 78s
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] Vinyl Engine[3] Technics Heritage[4] Crossfader