Sheet 05 · Head to head
MK3 vs MK7R
Different machines that share a silhouette. 7 of 8 published figures differ. One classic-line, one revival. These share a silhouette and almost nothing else.
MK3
Japan-only refinement: the first official all-black 1200, damped with Technics' non-resonance compound.
1989
MK7R
The b-boy special: MK7 in Red Bull BC One colors, gold tonearm, red headshell.
2020
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 1989
- 2020
- Motor
- Quartz-locked DC direct drive
- Coreless direct drive
- Starting torque
- 1.5 kg·cm
- 1.8 kg·cm
- Pitch
- ±8% slider
- Digital ±8% / ±16%
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
- Weight
- 12.5 kg
- 9.6 kg
- At launch
- Japan only
- MK7 + premium
05.2Identical on both
- Wow & flutter
- 0.025% WRMS
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 →MK7R
vs MK7: BC One livery only.
Used market: Trades above a standard MK7 on collectibility
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] Hollywood DJ