Sheet 05 · Head to head
M5G vs GLD
Effectively the same deck. 2 of 8 published figures differ. Both are classic-line decks, so the shared figures below are shared mechanicals rather than coincidence.
M5G
The 30th-anniversary hot rod: first digital pitch, ±16% range, blue LEDs. The turntablist favorite.
2002–10
GLD
Three million sold, in black gloss and gold; 3,000 units on an M5G heart.
2004
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 2002–10
- 2004
- At launch
- MK5 + premium
- Limited edition
05.2Identical on both
- Motor
- Quartz-locked DC direct drive
- Starting torque
- 1.5 kg·cm
- Wow & flutter
- 0.025% WRMS
- Pitch
- Digital ±8% / ±16%
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
05.3What each one changed
M5G
vs MK5: digital pitch control (±8/±16 switchable), blue LEDs, upgraded tonearm wiring, brake knob.
Used market: Scarce on the US market (Aug 2026): historically $800–1,200+ per deck, and current listings are so thin that a lone 1210M5G ask sits at $4,000
Full model sheet →GLD
vs M5G: commemorative gold-hardware finish; otherwise an M5G.
Used market: Collector piece; trades well above M5G money
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] Turntable Lab[3] Crossfader