The Technics Turntable Fan Club - Questions, Advice, Discussion

[Angsty]

Actually, I'm not clear that the 1300G actually outperforms the 1200G. I've not seen any measurements to that effect yet. The 1000R still is clearly at the top of the performance heap, even considering the newer motor/controller designs.

Competing in the $10K - $20K bracket soon becomes more about aesthetics than pure performance. There could be space between $5K and $10K that could leave room for a dual-arm version of the 1200G or 1300G.

 

[displayname]

Actually, I'm not clear that the 1300G actually outperforms the 1200G.

I think Fremer's statement was the only one to go on record saying that he feels the 1300 is better than the 1200. Every other review (including those that use them in A/B testing) feel differently.

 

[displayname]

the 10R is the only one I really covet.

Luckily for me, it's so far out of price range that it's just easier for me to not covet. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome. But I tend to have an easier time moving on from the idea of a piece of gear when it's just painful to imagine what I would need to give up to get there. And the type of system I would need to support justifying it. I can imagine myself spending $10K on a table (all in, including cartridge). Not at the moment, but that feels like a more realistic future.

But realistically by the time the 10R becomes a functioning turntable, then you're looking at probably closer to $20k minimum. That's when I can easily shift to "I'd love to experience that" instead of "I'd love to own that."

 

[Joe Mac]

Luckily for me, it's so far out of price range that it's just easier for me to not covet. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome. But I tend to have an easier time moving on from the idea of a piece of gear when it's just painful to imagine what I would need to give up to get there. And the type of system I would need to support justifying it. I can imagine myself spending $10K on a table (all in, including cartridge). Not at the moment, but that feels like a more realistic future.

But realistically by the time the 10R becomes a functioning turntable, then you're looking at probably closer to $20k minimum. That's when I can easily shift to "I'd love to experience that" instead of "I'd love to own that."

Yeah totally although I still think you can do as well, or better, and definitely better looking, for less using custom plinths and other arms. But still way beyond my budget. But I love the idea enough that I’m looking at the older examples now . The 1300G is probably much more likely given practicalities and price though.

 

[displayname]

Yeah totally although I still think you can do as well, or better, and definitely better looking, for less using custom plinths and other arms. But still way beyond my budget. But I love the idea enough that I’m looking at the older examples now . The 1300G is probably much more likely given practicalities and price though.

Yes, for me the big draw that keeps me thinking about Technics is by far the ease of ownership. I just greased the bearing and ordered a new belt for my Ultradeck because the pitch shift from speed variations became pretty audible.

Not a huge deal, but took away from the records I was playing that evening, been going back and checking speeds again, cost of a new record to replace the belt, and that won't arrive for another few days. And I just think about how a 1200g could have avoided all of that.

 

[Angsty]

I think surrounding equipment is a major factor here. Plug in a G and an R to a $10-20k system, entry level MC cart, and $1-2k phonostage, probably walk away saying you could barely tell the difference.

But do the same test with flagship 6 figure system, a $10k+ cartridge, etc… I bet you feel like the R is a pretty obvious choice.

Things like that aren’t made for normal people, lol

I think it's more about having a system that is already above or near $100K and not wanting to have a "plebian" $4500 turntable to hold a $5K+ cartridge. Optics matter to the people who spend that much, especially when you're chasing diminishing returns in performance. The measured performance of the 1000R is only marginally better than that of the 1200GAE in Hifinews. Believe that the engineers at Technics measure *everything* to the nth degree.

 

[ngower]

The 1300G and the increase in price with the GR2 felt more like "price ladder" stuff than anything else. Same reason the 100/1500 were introduced. I think they're comfortable having a "rung" on the ladder at every price point under $4k. Not sure they would mass-produce a ~$5k+ table.

1200G2 seems like a safe bet if for no other reason than to "streamline" production capacity. But with the uncertainties around the market, I doubt that there's much being released any time soon.

 

[Joe Mac]

I think it's more about having a system that is already above or near $100K and not wanting to have a "plebian" $4500 turntable to hold a $5K+ cartridge. Optics matter to the people who spend that much, especially when you're chasing diminishing returns in performance. The measured performance of the 1000R is only marginally better than that of the 1200GAE in Hifinews. Believe that the engineers at Technics measure *everything* to the nth degree.

You do also get to that point where something is just very good and to make even the most marginal gains ends up costing more than it’s worth in any cost/benefit analysis. But then people with disposable incomes often like the best and biggest and shiniest option regardless of that.