New Technics SL 1200 GAE

The stock setting is pretty good. It takes a bit to stop it, but if you let go its up to speed really fast. It might win a little bit to tinker with it, but it seems that is at a point of diminishing return already. In the meantime, if you are using a Sutherland Timeline, when you set the needle down on the LP its quite steady.

The reason I brought up the torque control was a previously posted statement that once set to manual, and then adjusting with the "pot"
there was a positive result in decay etc.

Audiofun
trust me, adjusting the torque profile will give it to you and then some.

@andysf

I don’t find the looks of the SP 10 to be more attractive, in any case.

Really? Maybe the stock technics obsidian plinth is not attractive at all, but if you put your SP-10mk2 in a good wooden plinth (like i did with mine, click here) it does looks much better and can accept any king of tonearm including "12 inch.

Chakster:  Not knocking the SP 10!  I would be very happy to own one but am wary of buying one used.  Your plinth looks great but the SP 10 was designed for professional use and looks the part: a bit clunky and 70s bland.  I didn't say it looked bad-just not any better than the SL 1200!  I really like the looks of the Thorens 124 or the Garrard 301.  In modern turntables I like the all wood SOTA and the Kuzma S (pipe bomb).  This is all a matter of taste, of course.  Some tables look better than they sound...

Atmasphere:  I would also be interested in how changed the torque might effect the sound.  One poster felt that reducing it had a very positive effect.

I would also be interested in how changed the torque might effect the sound. One poster felt that reducing it had a very positive effect.

Usually reducing the torque reduces speed stability. That can cause the arm to waver slightly, changing the lateral tracking forces, which in turn can cause the soundstage to have a slight shimmer to it. What you are looking for is the same soundstage solidarity that tape has (or real life for that matter). IOW, I'm suspicious of this claim. However we've not played around with it to any great extent. We will do more of that after the Triplanar is mounted. 

This is a second attempt to respond and I apologize in advance if 2 messages appear that are redundant.  I purchased an SL1200GAE last summer.  It sits right next to a VPI Prime.  The Prime has been modified as follows:  Eagle PSU with Roadrunner tach, periphery ring, HRX pulley using 2 belts, CounterIntuitive.  The two are competitive with each other, although they sound different, but the VPI with all the adders cost ~$6K vs. $4K for the GAE.  The GAE sounds faster, tighter, brighter, more open on top with perfect timing.  The Prime seems to have a bit more depth in the base, but is a bit vague with diminished pace and slam somehow.  Overall the G is the better sounding of these two but the difference is subtle, that is to my tastes and YRMV.  Also, VPI is close to the release of a mod for the 3D arm that may tip the balance the other way.  VPI is unsurpassed in customer support, an opinion formed as a continuous customer since 1986.  After months of comparing I sold my SL1200MK2 with full KAB mods.  The MK2 sounded very good indeed, just not as good as either of these others.  The differences are not great, however, and not everyone would find the sound difference worth the cost.  The arm on the G is a strength and in my view something I would not want to give up.  It is the easiest to set up of any arm I have ever used.  It responded well to different headshells and I like the sound of the Zupreme from LP Gear the best of any for use with it.  For cartridges I have found that it works just fine with a wide variety:  Ortofon Per Windfeld, Cadenza Black, 2M Black, 2M Mono SE, Audio Technics AT150ANV, AT 33 Mono SE, Stanton 881.  In terms of ease of set up and ergonomics, Technics got this right years ago and in my view made the right decision to leave well enough alone.  Why change something that they got so right years ago?  In this regard, the G is peerless at any price.  In my opinion these two turntables are hard to top.  They sound terrific, are very well thought out and a delight to use.  I think either would serve any vinyl lover well.  Perhaps the Prime is more audiophile oriented and the G more record-collector friendly.  You can't go wrong with either. 

Associated equipment:  Conrad-Johnson TEA2MAX, ET5, ARTsa, Sony SS-AR2 speakers, Audio Sensibility for all wires.