Technics 1200g vs Rega rp8, VPI aries, avenger, Basis 2000, Linn LP12 etc. Can it compete?

Tzn21y, you have a loaded question, is the Technics 1200G a great table, the answer is yes. Too many reviewers have stated the table sounds great and it is not the same thing as anyway as the original by any means.

As per being the best or being the last table, that is an entirely different question.

If you are asking in the $4k price range is that the best table I can get now that is a different question.

Personally you have to look at the competition and then weigh the pros and cons. 

For example Rega  RP 8 offers a killer package with the outstanding Alphetta 2 for $4k the Alphetta is a $1,800 cartidge that sounds like a way more expensive one, so you are getting a killer cartridge for $1,000.00 

The Technics has a very clean fast detailed sound that many people like. 

As per mats and clamps that is something you will have to try for yourself if you like the changes that thoese things do.

I would try to audition the Technics vs a great table like the Rega and I would also look at the new EAT tables as well.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Stringreen, and Technics or Rega or EAT won't be.

Silly reply, Rega has been in business what 40 years, and EAT is the higher end division of Project, and they aren't going anywhere either.

All of these are good tables with strong followers on both sides. 

The real question is why isn't the Scout doing it? Could a better cartidge or phono stage maybe a better starting point?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

The scout is a great table as I stated.  I have been looking at tables for a long time and still have it.  The secret with the scout is learning how to set it up.  It can offer a lot if you can set it up. so much so that I do not believe you get that much more with the prime.  I know many will not agree and the prime does certain things differently, not necessarily better.  The RP8 did a lot better than the prime to my ears (it had tremendous immediacy) but had a bit of an edge that just does not have me totally convinced.  It could have been cartridge loading or the cartridge which was a Rega cartridge.  There has been so much good said about the Technics, and what I am seeing is it looks like it would cost a smaller company a lot of money to pay for the engineering that has gone into it.  Maybe its really a 10K table for 4k i guess is what I am saying.

I own the 1200 G with a Hana SL and a Rega P9 with a Dynavector 17-D3. I also have a P-7 with a Dynavector 17-D-2. The P-9 exceeds the P-7 across the board as you would expect. What I did not expect was the 1200G exceeded them both by a good margin. Quieter background, increased dynamics, better imaging, both front to back and a bit in height. I am enjoying my music more with the new table. When I purchased it, I bought it for my theater room, and mostly from a nostalgic view. Then I had a shoot out to see which was best the winner going to the listening room. The 1200G is the best and I am not certain it has the best cartridge on it. I really like VPI tables and get to listen to one frequently. I will say I really enjoy the quick starts and stops for changing records and the high torque when using a brush or Gruve Glide. They are also great tables. You can not go wrong.  Good luck!