Why Are Used Technics 1200/1210 MK2 Still So Expensive Compared to GR/GR2?

@richardbrand reminds me to add a comment about wooden plinths for the Technics SL1200 series turntables.  I bought one from KAB years ago.  I have seen others that all seem similar.  Mine is basically a wooden box that the entire turntable sits inside of.  It has no affect on form, fit or function.  No it does not make the turntable sound any different.  It is an aesthetic modification.  Mine, which is maple, sits in storage now.

This discussion got me interested in the 1200G and a local dealer has one in stock.  I looked up reviews, and found Stereophile's Technics SL-1200G turntable | Stereophile.com.

As luck would have it, Stereophile compared it to a Garrard 301.  I have a 301 which I am fettling and since there was no clear winner, I will keep on with the 301 for now.

Recalling the discussion earlier in this thread on wooden plinths, I note that my 301 came mounted in an SME wooden plinth.  I have built an inner structure of thick MDF slabs separated by constrained layer damping.  The 301 mounting board floats on the inner structure, which in turn sits on three IsoAccoustics OREA Bordeaux isolation feet.  The SME plinth and integrated dustcover are air-gapped from the inner structure so preserving the original aesthetic while adding a lot of damping and isolation.

would echo @billsteven comments. A couple of years ago took the exact same path. Had a 1200MK2 with all the KAB upgrades. Then bought a 1200G. Better speed stability than the mk2, better platter damping, better chassis damping better resolving power off the same record. All with same cart, phono cables and phono preamp. The G may appear to look the same as a 1200 mk2 but pretty different inside. And the platter is a brass and aluminum sandwich vs. the MK2 cast aluminum platter. the MK2 is a nice table but the G offers better sonic performance. And the SL-1000R is another notch up above the G. 

Lewm,

Everything was the same, same cartridge, same electronics, only difference was changing from TT (a) to TT (b) and we did that as a blind test, meaning a friend was doing the changing and I did not know which one I was listening to.  So, yes the G is ever so slightly better sounding than a MKII that has had the full KAB mods.  Also, Kevin did the mods if that matters.  The difference between the two was subtle, but enough that I was able to consistently hear the change every time with no wrong outcomes.

In certain systems which are quite progressed in how they can create and End Sound.

A subtle difference discovered in the End Sound, realistically is the Night / Day difference.

In my world, what really matters is once the real benefits of the changes made is understood, does what is new in use supersede as the most regular used, what was being used previously.

When I moved on from Idler Drive to Japanese Vintage DD TT, I experienced my selection of TT's to the point I opted for the SP 10 MkII as the model to be used as the go to TT.

Adopting modifications for the SP10 MkII pretty much created a situation where a previous version of the TT's design was no longer to be used.

Now the MkII is quite a radical redesign being a Kaneta Variant, with Stator and Bearing Housing embedded into a Panzerholz Chassis/Plinth.

What is learnt to date, is that there is a further appeal, but not enough time has been allocated to really discovering where the traits are that create this sense that there is more of an appeal.

Another discovery is that the Kaneta Design allows for a complete rethink on what the Bearing Design and Assembly can be, I can't ad lib, as it will not be a design from myself.

There are alternate designs for how the design for the Platter is able to be produced, depending on the selected Bearing Spindle Length, and the Chassis/Plinth having a bespoke depth of the rebate made to accommodate the Platter, a Platter could easily be produced as a Single Material or Multi Layer Material @ 100mm (4") as a depth.

Again in my world, this is where the Kaneta Variant as a design has excelled, as I really enjoy working collaboratively with others making proposals for a design to eke that further step that can be realised with a design.  

Bill, assuming you took the trouble to use the same cartridge and identical downstream components in your comparison of the two turntables, and assuming your judgement of the results is valid, haven’t you actually proven that the GAE is superior to the SL1200 mk2? And that even the KAB mods (which aren’t free) cannot bridge the gap?

In 2016 I was lucky enough to acquire an SL1200GAE, they were hard to get.  I set it up next to my fully KAB modded SL1200MkII.  It was better, but it was not a night and day difference.  Subtle improvements.

Sometimes, just sometimes, you get lucky and stumble upon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Like today. In my city: a 1200SL Mk2, from the first owner, in absolutely perfect condition.
 

Technics still makes and sells the SL1200 MK7.

https://us.technics.com/products/direct-drive-turntable-system-sl-1200mk7?_pos=2&_fid=653cb3f8f&_ss=c&variant=42863149482219

@stereo5 - Those V15 carts have sure been around for a long time - I think I had a type 2 somewhere in the 70's. Now the only type 2 I have is diabetes! 

Lake George is so beautiful - I was last there around 60 years ago but still remember it well.

Very best wishes to your wife - I hope she recovers quickly and completely. 

@larsman ,  I bought mine in 2018 from Adirondack Audio up near Lake George in NY.  I am using a Shure V15 type 4 cartridge with the top Jico stylus and I am thrilled beyond thrilled.  I have 2 other cartridges as well.  Been thinking about one of the Umami's, but presently we are battling my wife's medical problems.  The blood thinner she is on costs $400 a month through our insurance so I am not spending much on audio at the moment.  I also use a HRS record weight, the lighter version.

The question was whether the G series is any better than the older look alike series. No one said the older TTs were bad or deficient in any way that an average user would complain about. I would bet in fact that Technics sold more of those SL1200s and all its variants than any other company sold any other DD TT. That is definite proof of success. Now comes the G series that are better in most ways.

I have a 1200 MK2 that I purchased new in 2005. I would consider my system as better than big box store but certainly not up to the lofty standards of most systems discussed here.

In my estimation, the old 1200 MK series have a well-deserved reputation for being virtually bullet proof and hitting a great price/performance target, Mine has proven to be totally reliable for twenty years now. Can one do better? Certainly. But it fills my needs as for as performance. Dead quiet, inaudible wow/flutter and rock steady speed control.

@stereo5 + 1 - I've had a 1200G for about 4 or 5 years now, and it's wonderful (though I wish the black one had been available then); currently have a Hana Umami Red cart in it.... 

I just scored a 1200 MK2 for €450—wasn’t really planning on it, but couldn’t resist. Really curious to see how it performs! The idea is to give it a spin, then eventually sell it and move up to a 1300G.

You don’t need the KAB accessories for the 1200G that came out in 2017 or the newer GR versions. There is a big difference the the older versions and newer ones since 2017.  Even though they may look the same, they are worlds apart. My 1200G is 40 pounds.  The plinth is made from 4 different materials with a heavy aluminum top plate.  Why would you put it in a wood plinth?  If you want wood, buy another brand.  The table has excellent isolation properties and it totally blows away the VPI Prime with 3D arm I was using prior to the 1200G. 

The G series have an entirely new coreless motor with better electronics to control it, a better damped platter, and a stiffer chassis, compared to the earlier SL1200 based TTs. The tonearms are also probably upgraded. KAB is a great company that offers worthwhile accessories, but such bits will not bridge the gap between the older TT s and the G series. However if the criterion is whether you can buy a wood surround for your Technics, then all bets are off.

Called a Plinth. 

IF I ever got a Technics, I would add a wood surround to it. These fit the 120, 1200, 1210,

Do they also fit, or are there any that fit the G, GR, 1300 models?

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/wood-surround-for-audio-technica-at120-technics-1200-and-technics-1210

The demand for a clean 1200 MK2 is still high driving up the prices. They are so robust they will run for a long time. Plus KAB offers so many upgrades for the new and old 1200 series, you can really improve the sonics for not a lot of coin. The big advantage of the GR2 over the earlier mk2 models is better speed control. (don't forget the stylus riding the grooves is constantly changing the torque required to maintain constant platter speed). If you can stretch a bit, the newer 1300G model is a nice step up from the GR2. Regardless of which you buy you should consider getting the KAB arm dampener and arm resonance cap. 

In my opinion, the G series turntables are far superior to the non-G older turntables, so there is no earthly reason why they should sell at a premium compared to a G series, even assuming what you say is true.