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

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.
 

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.

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 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.  

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.