Agreed. It would be a different product. And they already make and sell DDs under other model names.
Technics 1200G vs VPI Forever Model One
This is a bit of a loaded question, and the Forever line is probably still too new, but I'm going to toss this out anyway.
For backstory, I currently have a Mofi Ultradeck and it's treated me very well, but I'm starting to think about the next step and which piece I'd like to save for.
The Technics obviously has a legendary status, and is probably one of the lowest maintenance tables on the market. However they have become much more difficult to demo and you really have to purchase on blind faith that it will live up to expectations. The only time I've ever seen a 1200G was when I purchased my UD back in 2018 I demoed it alongside a 1200GR the dealer has one on display but I didn't get to hear it. That was before Technics scaled back to only higher volume dealers, which is somewhat annoying as a customer. But it's also the more affordable of the two options and I've also noticed the number of reviewers that continue to depend on the 1200G for their main systems. Obviously the option to quickly change headshells is part of the reason for reviewers, and that wouldn't really apply for me because I'm much more of a one cart type of person. But none the less, the 1200G sounds like a no brainer on paper.
However, I've always loved the looks and sound of VPI tables. I've heard several over the past decade, and every time I've enjoyed the sound and performance regardless of surroundings system and cartridge. It also helps that I normally hear them in fairly high end systems with quality cartridges. Last weekend I also got to meet Mat Wiesfeld at SWAF and got to spend a solid amount of time evaluating the Forever Model One. I really liked the sound of the table, love the look, and the modular design is interesting but also might be annoying. But the upgradability and repair options does have a real appeal to it, especially when I think about long term upgrades. The ownership experience will not be as easy. Replacing belts, oiling bearings, manual belt speed changes, suspended design. While it certainly seems easier to own than the older unipivot arms, it will require more effort and TLC. But it does have a cool factor that I just don't get from the Technics, and the idea of upgrading speed controls and arms over time does sound cool. I also have more faith that VPI will continue to honor service well past the production period of the Forever One. I'm not sure I have that same faith in Panasonic once the 1200G is discontinued.
Would love to hear thoughts from others on which direction you would go and what pushes you that way.
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I went Technics (with the lesser 1210GR) and never looked back. It’s nice to finally have a turntable that can manage sustained notes without audible flutter. Can’t say that for any belt-drive I owned. If measured performance is important to you, the only belt-drive tables I’m aware of that can compete with the Technics G are from SME. |
Appreciate that feedback. I actually demoed the GR side by side against the Mofi Ultradeck. I like to refer to that as a “buyers” demo instead of a “reviewers” demo. I asked the dealer to pick any cart he felt worked well with the GR that would put my OTD cost as close as possible to the Mofi with the Master Tracker. The dealer put on a great demo. I brought 3 of my own records, and he included one of his own, and he asked me to bring my phonostage so we could have a better sense of cartridge matching. I went home with the Mofi UD/MT combo, and I just recently replaced the cart with a Hana ML. Maybe that means I’m belt drive biased, or maybe it was the cart difference. But I’ve had the Mofi since 2018 and I’m just now seriously considering an upgrade. |
@displayname Again, if you didn't deal with the platter pad issue, you've not heard the Technics. IOW if you don't use the same platter pad when auditioning differences, you are introducing a variable. The stock platter pad of the Technics is pretty terrible. |
@atmasphere so what you’re really saying is that even though the Technics is nearly impossible to demo (for me) because of their limited dealer network, a demo is effectively worthless because the pad has such a significant impact on the sound? In my mind the main selling points (for me) on the Technics was perceived reliability, and a lack of needing to tweak it. But if we’re talking about pad rolling, adhering pads to the platter, arm swapping, etc… well all of that frankly makes the VPI option more appealing because it’s built for it. That’s not something I want to do in the near future on any table, but if I end up doing it I think I’d prefer to do it on a platform that’s designed for that. |
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