Thoughts on moving from a 1200G to Sota Saphire or above

Tsushima, I have owned two samples of the SP 10 mk2. During the same timeframe, I also owned and still own an SP 10 Mk3, a Kenwood L07D, a Victor TT101, and a Denon Dp80, not to mention a highly tweaked Lenco. At one time or another I heard all these TT s in the same system. All of my turntables were fully refurbished and calibrated  before I started to use them. The Technics and Denon tts were replinthed in PA slate. In this bunch, in my opinion, the SP 10mk2 came in last. I thought it had a grayish coloration, compared to any of the other direct drive turntables. I also have to disagree with Pani, when he said that the mark 2 and the mark 3 sound about the same. In my experience, there is no comparison, Mk3 is in a different world. Tonally very neutral and very precise with a big sound space.. My Mk3 has the Krebs upgrade; my mk2s did not. But even before Krebs, Mk3 was superior.

Technics SP-10mk3 drive alone is about $5000 minimum, usually higher

@lewm

Thank you for considerations ...and thoughtful post based upon your hands on experience :0}

I was fond of my own Kenwood L07D and regret letting it go at times.

Don't do it.  

@lewm I didnt mean same as in equals. I just meant all 3 technics sounded like cut from a similar cloth. The Mk2 sounded bigger and more dynamic than 1200G. The Mk3 sounded like a fully grown up TT coming from the same stable. Big, bold, stable sound with more tonal bloom. In fact only the Mk3 had the kind of dynamics I get from 301 and Lenco.