And last year, Pani thought that the Audio Teknika ART9 was the greatest cartridge ever. (My deliberate exaggeration of his opinion.) This year he is on to something else and has sold the ART9 He is only human like you and I. Why hinge your thinking on his opinion? I don’t care how tweaked would be an SL 1210, the SL1200 G and the other new versions of the SL 1200 really have almost nothing in common structurally with the old line. Everything about the new series of SL 1200s is superior to the old. The only thing similar is the physical appearance from external view. From the get-go the SL 1210 motor, platter, and bearing just cannot compete with the motor, platter, and bearing of the new series.I agree on the human part. I did hear some better carts and hence moved on from ART9. Between the 1200G and Sp10 Mk2, I have again "heard" them performing in my room for weeks before I said one was better than the other. In fact the Sp10 Mk2 sounded better quite instantly but I took some time to really solidify my observation and write it down here. Theoretically one can say 1200G is superior but in practice I did not find it better. It sounded smaller more compressed and less fluid overall compared to a Sp10 Mk2.
BTW, this is not just my observation. I know few other analog enthusiasts and also some Technics dealers who have reported the same after comparing the Mk2 and 1200G. The main point in favour of Sp10 mk2 is a higher drive and momentum in music. But then 1200G is a complete TT whereas Mk2 needs to be put together with a good plinth, isolation and all which goes in favour of 1200G. But not sonically.
Let me go one step further and say this. Some of these guys have compared the Sp10 Mk3 and Sp10-R. Every one of them preferred the Sp10 Mk3. Again same observation, Mk3 has much more drive and pace while 10-R is more audiophile kinds, sophisticated and nice types.
I wont mention the sources or names but I can tell you that those guys who have reported these comparisons are also on this forum and possibly reading these posts too. But they do not want to be named for obvious reasons.
BTW, modded 1200 and 1200G should be a no brainer, 1200G any day.