1220 Technics Became the Turntable

Award-winning photographer Frank Noelker has had a full career teaching and mentoring University of Connecticut photography students. Among Frank Noelker’s passions is high-end audio systems, which elevate the listening experience and encompass an array of equipment, from speakers to traditional record players.

When it comes to record players, one of the state-of-the-art models has long been considered the 1220 Technics. The direct drive model was introduced in 1972 as home hi-fi equipment and gradually earned a reputation as the turntable of choice for generations of DJs. The reason for this evolution had to do with a quartz-enhanced direct drive motor, which provided high torque and enabled the record to be pressed down and slowed with no damage to the disc.

Direct drives are magnet-powered, unlike traditional belt drive models, which have belts that wear down over time and require replacement. With this consistently reliable technology, a disc being scratched by a DJ could be brought back to its original speed with unparalleled immediacy, with no discernible variation or overshooting. While the classic 1220 Technics is no longer in production, the Audio-Technica LP 120X, which is modeled on the original, has substantially taken its place.