a little advice if you may

[Hoggy]

So after working most of Christmas due to the poor weather conditions I find myself with some cash for upgrading. I have decided that as most of my playback is via vinyl that a new deck may be in order. I have always had a hankering for a technics table and I'm pretty sure direct drive is the direction I would like to go in. What I don't know is the route to go. Do I try and find a good example of a mk2 although this now seems quite hard with massively inflated prices for un cared for machines? Or do I go new with either mk7 or 1500c? This will be my last ever table and have even considered the gr although I really don't know if I need to spend that much as tempting as it is! Also is the marantz phono preamp up to the job of doing the new table justice or should I look at an external along side the new deck or is the built in phono in 1500c ok for example? For info my listening taste is heavily influenced by reggae however the likes of Fleetwood mack, dire straights etc and even the carpenters are know to get a regular spin. Budget wise I probably have around £1500 however the less I spend on hardware the the more vinyl I can purchase, might even treat the wife, or maybe not! 🤣😂
All advice welcome guys, look forward to hearing your thoughts

 

[nopiano]

If it was my last ever table, I’d try to get the 1200/10GR as I believe the 1500 is a rather lighter build. I’m not sure the external phono stage is really necessary as Marantz do a pretty good job.

You might be able to get a bit off if you shop around too. Or get a cartridge bundled with it at a reduced price.

 

[daytona600]

1200GR is the real deal if you want a DD & should last forever
cheaper copies are a waste of time

 

[Al ears]

Of you are sold on a Technics direct drive and want a well-sorted one consider the Devon based firm Timestep.

Technics SL1200 GR modifications

Timestep Technics SL1200 gr EVO

www.soundhifi.com

 

[Hoggy]

So i have contacted a few of the "bigger" companies regarding a deal for a gr, the best outcome ive had is a free at-vm95ml cartridge. Whats the general consensas on the cart?

 

[daytona600]

Ortofon/technics make a range based on the 2M for technics with built in headshell , PNP plug and play they just plug in seconds & work straight out the box
Nagaoka/Technics SL120GAE £4,000 55th anniversary model , NagaokaJT80 , this is now in the new 2021 range
Have a 1200G with a 2M black PNP myself
.

.

 

[Al ears]

So for a £1300 turntable they are going to throw in a £145 cartridge.... Whoopee!
Could do worse I suppose.

 

[Hoggy]

So for a £1300 turntable they are going to throw in a £145 cartridge.... Whoopee!
Could do worse I suppose.

Haha yeh thats what i thought! Something better than nothing though i suppose. Wait to see if others come back with anything better

 

[Al ears]

Haha yeh thats what i thought! Something better than nothing though i suppose. Wait to see if others come back with anything better

To be honest it's not a bad cartridge.

 

[nopiano]

So i have contacted a few of the "bigger" companies regarding a deal for a gr, the best outcome ive had is a free at-vm95ml cartridge. Whats the general consensas on the cart?

I’d be happy with that, though the turntable itself has been offered at around £200 off on a couple of occasions if I’m remembering correctly. Over many years, however, the price isn’t what you remember but the quality.