Garrard 401 vs Technics SL-1200MK5

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Garrard 401 · Technics SL-1200MK5.

Practical differences

Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.

The Technics SL-1200MK5 undercuts the Garrard 401 by £150 — £750 against £900.

The Garrard 401 spins its platter via idler drive; the Technics SL-1200MK5 uses direct drive instead. Neither is objectively better — a rubber idler wheel driving the platter rim directly, giving huge torque and a punchy, immediate character that's become a specific taste among collectors versus instant start-up, rock-steady speed under load, and enough torque to nudge or backspin the record — the reason DJs and scratch decks are built this way.

Bottom line: the Technics SL-1200MK5 has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the £150 gap.

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