Sheet 05 · Head to head
MK3 vs GLD
Same platform, real differences. 3 of 8 published figures differ. Both are classic-line decks, so the shared figures below are shared mechanicals rather than coincidence.
MK3
Japan-only refinement: the first official all-black 1200, damped with Technics' non-resonance compound.
1989
GLD
Three million sold, in black gloss and gold; 3,000 units on an M5G heart.
2004
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 1989
- 2004
- Pitch
- ±8% slider
- Digital ±8% / ±16%
- At launch
- Japan only
- Limited edition
05.2Identical on both
- Motor
- Quartz-locked DC direct drive
- Starting torque
- 1.5 kg·cm
- Wow & flutter
- 0.025% WRMS
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
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 →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] Technics Heritage[2] Crossfader[3] Save The Vinyl[4] Wikipedia