Sheet 05 · Head to head
MK4 vs M7L
Different machines that share a silhouette. 6 of 8 published figures differ. One classic-line, one revival. These share a silhouette and almost nothing else.
MK4
The audiophile detour: 78 rpm, detachable cables, upgraded tonearm; and almost never seen outside Japan.
1996–97
M7L
50 years of the 1200: 12,000 units, seven colors, gold tonearms.
2022
05.1Where they differ
- Years
- 1996–97
- 2022
- Motor
- Quartz-locked DC direct drive
- Coreless direct drive
- Starting torque
- 1.5 kg·cm
- 1.8 kg·cm
- Pitch
- ±8% (detented)
- Digital ±8% / ±16%
- Weight
- ,
- 9.6 kg
- At launch
- ~$650
- $1,099.99
05.2Identical on both
- Wow & flutter
- 0.025% WRMS
- Speeds
- 33⅓ / 45 / 78
05.3What each one changed
MK4
vs MK3: +78 rpm, detachable cables, upgraded tonearm and wiring; aimed at listeners, not DJs.
Used market: Import-only rarity; prized by collectors who play 78s
Full model sheet →M7L
vs MK7: colorways, gold tonearm, serial badge, slipmat.
Used market: Well above launch (Aug 2026): $2,500+ single asks in LA, ~$4,500 for a pair, ~$3,000 ask for a white one on Reverb
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] Panasonic press release[4] Technics 50th