Technics Turntables...really???

I own a Prime and a Technics 1200GR. Each is on a separate system now so direct comparison is not possible; the 1200 is on the main system the Prime used to be on and uses a Dynavector P75 mkiii phono pre and the Prime uses a Parasound JC3+ phono pre. The speakers on the main system with the 1200 are Thiel CS2.4’s.  Very revealing speakers, but the Technics is exemplary. I have no complaints. 

For those who would like to upgrade Technics stock tonearm to something new and truly high-end i would recommend Reed 3P instead of Tri-Planar! 

@chakster The Reed looks nice but its unlikely to have bearings as hard as those in the Triplanar, who has a security clearance to obtain the bearings they use (the bearing is the hardest metal bearing made anywhere; and Triplanar got investigated by the Department of Homeland Security because they use more of these bearings than Boeing Aerospace). Softer bearings tend to blunt with use; this causes the arm to have a limited lifespan (mysteriously goes out of adjustment over time).
The VTA tower on the Reed appears to be a copy of that of the Triplanar, which first showed that technology several decades ago. But the thing that bothers me is the location of the bearings- they aren't in the plane of the LP surface, and while this makes the arm easier to build, it also means that tracking force will be lessened with bass notes and warp. Imagine two people carrying a couch; if going up stairs the one below carries more weight. If on level ground both weights are the same and vary only slightly on uneven ground. This allows for more consistent tracking force.

I like the azimuth adjustment- the Triplanar has that as well. The removable arm tube and cartridge shell is also nice- except that when you are dealing with voltages as small as they usually are with cartridges, the less mechanical connections between the cartridge and arm, the better.

@atmasphere your criticism of Reed bearing can apply to the Kuzma 4 Point tonearm for the same reason?

My Reed 3p does not have removable headshell and the armtube is not removabale:

https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18301114_1693549760663184_6688382727325888819_n.jpg?_n...

Since the introduction of the Reed 3p they made 3 more different models with some great features: https://www.reed.lt/tonearm/

your criticism of Reed bearing can apply to the Kuzma 4 Point tonearm for the same reason?

@chakster Yes.