Should I get an SL-1200G

@jmeyers "The SL 1200G is one helluva value!” +1

@atmasphere "The tricky variable is the platter pad” agree! I found old Technics SP10MK2 mat (NOS) is the best for 1200G! other good mats  to try are thick SL1200MK4, and  heavy Denon pad, sorry, don’t know model number, nothing printed on it. 

@abill The tricky variable is the platter pad. Technics uses one that's terrible. If you want to hear what their machines are about you'll need a proper platter pad. The best I've heard so far is made by Oracle. Felt, leather, cork and rubber just don't work because they can't control resonance in the vinyl caused by the cartridge tracking the groove.

Otherwise the SL1200G is one of the best turntables made if cost is no object. The arm competes with many tonearms easily but you can replace it with something else- for example the new Kuzma Safir 9.

I just purchased a SL 1200G to replace my 39-year-old SOTA Sapphire turntable w/ Premier FT3 arm (both were in pristine condition). I kept my Hana SL cartridge. 

I can already say that this Technics turntable — expertly set up by my dealer (Sunny Components, Covina, CA) — is unquestionably better than the SOTA. In fact, playing a good record, it is phenomenal.

I recommend its purchase. The SL 1200G is one helluva value!

Yes , tzh21y , I will keep the Aries , I enjoy it but I also want a direct drive .
Still undecided on what to get .

I have the VPI. its great, just do not listen to it that much. Sometimes I switch and Ill say, wow, that sounds great but then after a few days I am wanting to listen to the 1200G. The sp10 Mk 2 is a great table as well. I actually think the Aries is VPI’s best effort to date. I would not sell the Aries if I were you but its always nice to have belt drive and DD both if you can. Once you hear a good DD, you will know what I am saying.

@abill 

I'll look for a nice Sp10 MK2 and make a plinth

Good idea, i bought teak wood plinth from Asia for my ex SP-10 mkII and it was great until i bought Luxman PD-444 which is a better turntable. If you have money for Luxman PD-444 look for it and read about it. It's a heavyweight DD monster designed for two tonearms. You can also look for Denon DP-80. 

tzh21y , 

What's the belt drive turntable and cartridge you have ?

I'm still undecided , I'll see if the 1200G goes on sale Black Friday.

Thank you for the post .

The 1200G is certainly not a step backwards from an Aries. You need to go listen for yourself. The two tables sound completely different. I have the belt drive and the 1200G and the 1200G is the one I listen to the most. I do not think I could go back to belt drive unless I spent about 25K. Once you realize the benefits of the 1200G(direct drive) and whats possible, it really can compete with tables over 10K. You can also quickly switch out cartridges and headshells, both of which truly influence the sound a great deal more than the table. You also can control the torque which is a big deal. Its a great table and is easy to set up. It takes a while to learn the table and to get the most from it just like any table.

Tooblue , Thank you for the info, this is what I was waiting for .

I don't think I'll get the 1200G .
I'll look for a nice Sp10 MK2 and make a plinth or maybe a Garrard 301 but they are hard to find without paying $$$$.

Thanks again

Spent a little time with the 1200G and liked it but no where near enough to sell my VPI Prime for and that was before I added the SMFA, Periferal Ring and SDS to the mix. With that said I feel the Aries is a step up from the Prime and that is what I have based my response on. When you make a decision such as this one it is always nice to know you can answer the question yourself by going back and forth with the two tables, just saw one of the 1200Gs on another site for around $3000.00 in near mint, so you wouldn't stand to lose much if you went that way. Good luck on your decision and please keep us posted as you make your decision and what your thoughts are after if you purchase the 1200G. Enjoy the music.

Tooblue,

Have you listen to an Aries and SL1200G ?
Please explain your post .

If the 1200G is a step backwards than I won't buy one .
I may get an SP10 and make a plinth myself.

One word of caution if you do buy the 1200, don't sell the Aries first as I believe you will realize you have taken a step or two or..... backwards. Just sayin.

One problem: New 1500c made in China, but the SL1200GR and G made in Japan. 

I was looking at the 1500c last week, For a few hundred more you get some really neat features in the next model up (1200GR?).

Myself is interested in very casual listening of a few LP's. The 1500c with it's built in pre amp looks attractive. 

With SL1200G you will see what is a proper turntable is all about and why belt drive is a toy compared to Technics DD

I went from a VPI Prime to the SL1200G and I couldn't be happier.  The Technics is a more set and forget type of table where my Prime needed constant fiddling.  I also find the bass to be much better with the Technics.  Let me put it this way, I bought the Prime and played a dozen or so records in the 1 1/2 years I owned it.  I bought the Technics and play records a couple of times a week since I bought it in August 2018.

Only you can decide if it is a good move or not but for me, it was a no brainer.  The only tweaks  I made to the Technics was replace the rubber mat with the Oracle hard mat and HRS record weight.