Cartridge for Technics SL-1200G or SL-1200GR

I know the price difference.  I’m retiring and setting up my first and last listening room.  I just bought an Innous Zenith MK2 CD ripper/media streamer, which replaced my Mc MCD7008 CDP and Squeezebox Duet.  The Zenith is really nice.  My analog sources are the 1600 and a Teac X10-R reel-to-reel.  

I have about 1200-1300 vinyl albums that I’ve rediscovered after a long hieatius listening to CDs, my reels, and streaming.  I forgot how much I love the sound of vinyl. So I’m looking to improve on what I have.  The GR is a possibility, but at the same time, I’m trying to balance my TT purchase with my existing equipment.  

In the end, I can’t take it with me :-). So spending an additional 3 or -4K to get the TT sound I want is not of the question.

I like manual tables because, even though I don't really want to, it does get me up off my fat rump every twenty minutes or so to change the side/record.

And +1 on the KAB damper for SL1200mkIIs; it won’t fit the GR as the arm gimbal bearing supports are considerably wider. Hopefully, KAB will make a new one that does

Sorry this is incorrect. KAB has a damper for the G/GR. I have it on my GR.

Alsowhile the G is better than the GR, from all reports it is barely better. My GR competes with my Prime (with speed controller). The prime is a better table all around but the GR is 90% of it.

i use a Denon 103r with ebony body on the GR and a Soundsmith Carmen Mkii on the Prime. 

I sold my VPI Prime after getting the SL1200G.  I find the Technics superior.  For the first time, my analog rig bests my digital equipment.  Another plus is no acoustic feedback which I did get with the Prime and the Scout before it.

I am currently using a Lyra Delos with an Arche headshell on a 1200G. Sounds great. Other cartridges that I heard that are really good on this table are the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and Winfield. Very organic sounding on this table are the ortofons. I am going to get one down the road.