Technics 1200 Critic Fremer Praises the newer 1200G

@pryso audiophiles have this hatred for direct drive turntables that goes deep in their soul. Then add pitch control, strobe light and that its a japanese mass production table that takes them over the top. 

vinyl, in my opinion that "hatred" is misguided.

Those who have been in this hobby a long time such as myself will remember the advertisements from a certain belt-drive table manufacturer in Glasgow who criticized direct drive tables for cogging.  I'll admit I drank the kool-aid and abandoned interest in DD systems after that.  At least for many years.

But then I realized a few important points.  First, I'd never experienced cogging in any DD I owned or heard in friend's systems.  Second, recordings which contained long sustains such as with piano sounded more natural on DD tables than all but the most expensive belt-drive examples.  And third, few tables produced the energy and drive of the music like a decent DD example.

All this is not to suggest that decent sound can't be produced by a belt-drive system.  But I find advantages with DD which tip the scales for me. 

I prefer DD. Mechanically an elastic belt is just an inherently bad design to begin with - it needs an insanely heavy platter to be stable in pitch. Pitch changes are extremely discernable to our ears. It is also possible to design a good DD motor with low vibration that is at least as good as a belt (in addition to the solid pitch advantage). I am perfectly happy with a Pioneer PL 550 like this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfrQ7Ylowr0&feature=share

Great DD TT with upgraded veneer. Mine is in magnolia burl to match my speakers. It is inexpensive and even though cost is not an issue for me, I just really like the clean simple classic elegant look compared to Rega or more industrial steampunk looking designs like Transistor Tourbillon or Triangle Art. Funny but I don’t like the straight tone arm either - the S shape is just so sexy and elegant. I also think a dust cover is actually quite useful and practical on a TT - ;-)

@shadorne nice link. Living in the desert with it's dry climate DD is the way to go, elastic belts dry out quickly when the humidity is in the low teens most of the time.

atmasphere6,176 posts05-08-2018 
The SL1200G is a complete from-the-ground-up redesign and only shares its appearance with the older SL1200s. Its a very well-thought out design; is more speed stable and has considerably more damping and a very dead plinth. IMO they should have made it look different if just to avoid the obvious confusion people have thinking is nearly the same as its predecessors and look-alikes.

I have a 1210Mk5 and 2 x1210Mk5g.  I love the iconic look.  To my eyes the big attraction of the new models is that they have retained this look.  I have never heard anyone getting confused, and I bet you didn't get confused either.