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  3. 191015-20132

Clearaudio Concept with Satisfy Tonearm or Technics 1200 GR

Hello all,
I need some advice.
I have a VPI Aries 1 which is my main turtbale but alas the motor is having some issues and will need to be repaired.  For a while I was thinking of getting a turntable for my second system and now seems like a good time as I can use this turntable in the main system while I wait for the repair to be done.
So I have a chance to get either of the turntables I mentioned for the same price- the Clearaudio would be used while the Technics would be factory refurbished.  

Of the 2 what would you think is the better performer?  I assume it will be close, and maybe just a matter of preference, but I would be curious to hear your opinions. 
(Btw, I just read the Stereophile review of the newer GR2- while the review was positive I thought it was also useless.  To me a review should, among other things,  always try to put the product in question within the context of other available alternatives,  Instead, the comparison was with a vintage Thorens.  Apologies for the gripe but seriously....)

Many thanks as always!

pgastone

Showing 1 response by helomech

helomech
1,782 posts
 

The upper end Clearaudios are good tables, but the entry level Concept is nothing special. Subjectively, the 1200GR competes well against belt-drive tables in the $3.5K-$5K range. The Concept competes well against other <$2500 belt-drives.

Objectively, the GR’s measured performance is as good or better than that of most belt-drives around and above the $10K price point, for example, the SME12.

Once you get your Aries repaired and can conduct a level-matched comparison with the GR, you might just end up with the latter as your “main” rig. 

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