Compare · sheet 05 · LTD vs GAE

LTD vs GAESL-1200LTD and SL-1200GAE

8 of the 8 figures in the comparison table differ. The LTD is from the classic line (1972 to 2010), the GAE from the revival (2016 on).

LTD

Piano-black and gold-plated: 5,000 units celebrating two million 1200s sold.

1995–96

GAE

The comeback: 1,200 numbered units for the brand's 50th, gone in about 30 minutes.

2016

05.1Where they differ

Years
1995–96
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% + reset
±8% / ±16%
Speeds
33⅓ / 45
33⅓ / 45 / 78
Weight
12.5 kg
~18 kg
At launch
~$1,200
~$4,000

05.3What each one changed

LTD

vs MK3: commemorative gold-hardware finish, pitch reset button.

Reverb sold median $2,225 (10 listings, published Jun 2016–Feb 2026). Middle half $1,924–$2,655.

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] Wikipedia[2] Crossfader[3] StereoNET

← All nineteen in one table