Hot off the press...Technics SL 1300G

The VPI Aries II is an exceptional table. I haven’t heard a Technics in a while but I believe it to be in a completely different league. This is corroborated by an audiophile friend of mine who does have a lot of experience with Technics. I owned an VPI Aries I for a decade. 

So the Technics is in a league above the Aries?

"So the Technics is in a league above the Aries?"

ozzy62-

I’m a VPI user also. In speed accuracy Technics wins, unless you have the Phoenix/Sota RR setup?

Otherwise, just a personal SQ call.

SL 1300 + aftermarket arm= SOTA DD on a "budget"?

ozzy62/tablejockey,

I've been in this hobby for decades and never gave up on vinyl when the digital onslaught hit.  I've owned multiple belt and DD tables.  My last purchase was a SL-1200G and I find no reason to look any further.  

I had a Kuzma Stabi with Stogie Reference arm which was a very good belt design.  Then I found a Technics SP-10 Mk2a in decent condition.  That gave greater dynamics and more even tonal hold (piano examples) as the most obvious difference over the Kuzma.  I intended to have the electronics refreshed and a custom plinth built but never seemed to get to it.  Then the SL-1200G came out so I got one as a simpler answer.  As lewm said, the advantage of the coreless motor.  Silent background and great live energy to the music, I'm happy.

The VPI and other solid belt designs can be good and preferred by some.  There is no consensus in this hobby.  Sorry but you need to decide for yourselves.

Mark me down as EXTREMELY interested. Thanks for sharing. I do wish they’d put a good autolift on these.

IMO, This table (appears) it could be at exactly the right price point.

I am almost afraid to ask …and I couldn’t tell from material…is it a hinged Lid?

I don’t like the non-hinged lids of the later 1200 offerings…or I’d already happily own one of those.  
 

when there is a lid…smoke them a bit…the look is infinitely more elegant!

(but this is still an awesome offering by Technics)