Sheet 05 · Head to head
MK3 vs GAE
8 of the 8 figures in the comparison table differ. The MK3 is from the classic line (1972 to 2010), the GAE from the revival (2016 on).
MK3
Japan-only refinement: the first official all-black 1200, damped with Technics' non-resonance compound.
1989
GAE
The comeback: 1,200 numbered units for the brand's 50th, gone in about 30 minutes.
2016
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 1989
- 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
- ±8% slider
- ±8% / ±16%
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
- ~18 kg
- At launch
- Japan only
- ~$4,000
05.3What each one changed
MK3
vs MK2: all-black finish, gold RCAs, T.N.R.C.-damped cabinet. Same mechanicals.
Used market: US askings ~$620 in Good (Aug 2026); typically Japan imports
Full model sheet →GAE
First new 1200 since 2010. A ground-up audiophile re-engineering, shared with the G.
Used market: Numbered units trade above launch price
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] Technics Heritage[2] Crossfader[3] Save The Vinyl[4] Wikipedia