New Technics SL 1200 GAE

This is a second attempt to respond and I apologize in advance if 2 messages appear that are redundant.  I purchased an SL1200GAE last summer.  It sits right next to a VPI Prime.  The Prime has been modified as follows:  Eagle PSU with Roadrunner tach, periphery ring, HRX pulley using 2 belts, CounterIntuitive.  The two are competitive with each other, although they sound different, but the VPI with all the adders cost ~$6K vs. $4K for the GAE.  The GAE sounds faster, tighter, brighter, more open on top with perfect timing.  The Prime seems to have a bit more depth in the base, but is a bit vague with diminished pace and slam somehow.  Overall the G is the better sounding of these two but the difference is subtle, that is to my tastes and YRMV.  Also, VPI is close to the release of a mod for the 3D arm that may tip the balance the other way.  VPI is unsurpassed in customer support, an opinion formed as a continuous customer since 1986.  After months of comparing I sold my SL1200MK2 with full KAB mods.  The MK2 sounded very good indeed, just not as good as either of these others.  The differences are not great, however, and not everyone would find the sound difference worth the cost.  The arm on the G is a strength and in my view something I would not want to give up.  It is the easiest to set up of any arm I have ever used.  It responded well to different headshells and I like the sound of the Zupreme from LP Gear the best of any for use with it.  For cartridges I have found that it works just fine with a wide variety:  Ortofon Per Windfeld, Cadenza Black, 2M Black, 2M Mono SE, Audio Technics AT150ANV, AT 33 Mono SE, Stanton 881.  In terms of ease of set up and ergonomics, Technics got this right years ago and in my view made the right decision to leave well enough alone.  Why change something that they got so right years ago?  In this regard, the G is peerless at any price.  In my opinion these two turntables are hard to top.  They sound terrific, are very well thought out and a delight to use.  I think either would serve any vinyl lover well.  Perhaps the Prime is more audiophile oriented and the G more record-collector friendly.  You can't go wrong with either. 

Associated equipment:  Conrad-Johnson TEA2MAX, ET5, ARTsa, Sony SS-AR2 speakers, Audio Sensibility for all wires.

Looking over this thread it would appear that you and I are the only owners of GAEs and that we are in complete agreement, especially about the arm.  Taken as a whole, the new SL1200 GAE (and G) is a home run that can stand comparison with any other TT.

The Zupreme headshell from LP Gear has azimuth adjustment and happens to sound very good compared to other headshells I have tried on the GAE.  VTA can be adjusted on the fly on the GAE.  Setup is extremely fast, easy, and repeatable too. This is a real strength of this design.  The layout and design just work very, very well.. As a young man I worked in high end audio shops for almost 10 years back in the 1970s, and was the TT setup specialist.  In terms of ease of setup and use, all Technics turntables excel. 

As both a WIS (I favor traditional Rolex and Omega designs) and a GAE owner I think your observations are apt.  In both cases the concept and cliche that form follows function is total.