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Technics SL1200G vs GAE

Folks,
After talking to some of our knowledgeable members here I am getting ready to get a SL1200G or a GAE. At the moment I have an offer for both of them. The price differential is also about $1200 (mere coincidence). I know that the GAE comes with a better arm and some additional isolation. I am not interested in the tonearm since I will most probably upgrade to a better one. But otherwise, is the GAE clearly a better TT and worth paying $1200 more ? I could use the $1200 towards a better tonearm. I also read a review of 1200G where the reviewer strongly suggested to isolate the TT well in order to get the expected performance. Now thats another area to look at. If the GAE is almost ready to plug n play without requiring much more isolation then it is an incentive for me. 

Can any forum member here throw some light on these aspects and probably help me in the buying decision ?
pani
lewm
13,109 posts
 
You might look into the notion that the tonearm on the GAE is "better".  If it's really better, then maybe you don't need to change the tonearm, and you will thereby "save" probably more than the $1200 difference between G and GAE.  That's where I would start.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,841 posts
 
The GAE is the same machine but with fancier cosmetics as it is the Anniversary Edition.
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
I was fancying putting something like a Fidelity Research Fr64s or a Reed the 1200G. 
lewm
13,109 posts
 
Will either of those "fit" without modifying the mount? Which is to say do either of those two have the same pivot to spindle distance as the stock tonearm?  And will, particularly, the Reed mount over the hole in the arm board, since it is a surface mount type?
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
I will be send it to time-step to fix their linear power supply and upgrade the tonearm (if I change the tonearm). 
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