Technics 1200g vs Rega rp8, VPI aries, avenger, Basis 2000, Linn LP12 etc. Can it compete?

Tzn21y, you have a loaded question, is the Technics 1200G a great table, the answer is yes. Too many reviewers have stated the table sounds great and it is not the same thing as anyway as the original by any means.

As per being the best or being the last table, that is an entirely different question.

If you are asking in the $4k price range is that the best table I can get now that is a different question.

Personally you have to look at the competition and then weigh the pros and cons. 

For example Rega  RP 8 offers a killer package with the outstanding Alphetta 2 for $4k the Alphetta is a $1,800 cartidge that sounds like a way more expensive one, so you are getting a killer cartridge for $1,000.00 

The Technics has a very clean fast detailed sound that many people like. 

As per mats and clamps that is something you will have to try for yourself if you like the changes that thoese things do.

I would try to audition the Technics vs a great table like the Rega and I would also look at the new EAT tables as well.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Stringreen, and Technics or Rega or EAT won't be.

Silly reply, Rega has been in business what 40 years, and EAT is the higher end division of Project, and they aren't going anywhere either.

All of these are good tables with strong followers on both sides. 

The real question is why isn't the Scout doing it? Could a better cartidge or phono stage maybe a better starting point?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Tzh, we are a Rega dealer, and we would also like to carry the Technics.

When you said immediacy you got the Rega sound vs the VPI sound.

Rega's design philosophy is the exact oppostie of the VPI which have used mass ie weighty acrylic or greater mass in their platters and plinths.

Rega's concept is to make a light weight low mass design, with the philisophy of less mass means less material to  resonate, higher mass turntables and platters do ring, just tap one and you will see,  and to provide flexture to dissapate energy. Light and stiff has many advantages.


The real question is how far do you want to go in terms of an end game turntable?

If I was going to go end game I would look at a Merril Wiliams Real 101.2 which is a $7k table plus arm, pretty much beats any table under $25k.

We tested one vs a $40k reference table that is the talk of the industry,  and couldn't really hear an appreicable difference with the much more expensive table on a $100k reference rig.

The Merrill Williams Real Table is designed to absorb all energy being fed into the table. The plinth is made out of compressed sheets of rubber composites, the clamp uses a ball of rubber and sits on a rubber ring, even the outer clamping ring uses a rubber internal damping ring.

It doesn't look ultra cool but think of how a turntable is supposed to work, you have to isolate the groove and cartidge from the noisy world of the bearing, and the outside world's vibrational energy which is being fed back into the table, if you can use a material known to absorb mechanical energy and turn it into heat you can wick away all the noise which masks the delicate signal being picked up from the cartridge. 

Over the years we have setup Linns, Sotas, Vpi, Well tempereds and many other very expensive turntables the Merrrill sounds better because it is designed systematically to absorb all energy being fed into the table, the result you can hear the cartridge for the first time.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/merrill-williams-real-101-turntable/

http://realturntable.com/

Hope this helps.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ