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

I have those KAB fluid dampers on both of my upgraded SL1210mkII, the biggest improvement was not the KAB dampes, but a Technics 205c mk4 cartridge i have tried for a first time about 5 years ago. You may need a fluid damper for high compliance cartridges, but definitely not for low compliance cartridges. Also the damper collect dust all the time, i have removed mine today for cleaning. Better cartridge makes a HUGE different on this turntable, the dampers are not.

As for the classic SL1210mkII that you’re calling inferior compared to automatic SL1600, simply add Isonoe Footers and SAEC SS-300 mat and the problem is solved.

For a half price of the new SL1200G everyone can buy a Luxman PD-444 turntable designed for two tonearms. It’s a king of turntables made by Micro Seiki. Technics is a little toy compared to Luxman PD-444, almost any tonearm can be mounted on Luxman ("9, "10.5, "12 inch).

Our @brentknoll just bought one for $2k including shipping from Japan to USA and this is amazing price! Not to mention spare armboards supplied by that japanese seller. The price is very low compared to Technics SL1200G or GR. Luxman is state of the art turntable and does not require any mods. 

@chakster , there are huge differences between SL-1600 and SL-1600mk2. SERVO vs Quartz locked PLL, damping, adjustability of tonearm height, etc.  Then you need to know that the SL-1200mk2 is a simplified version of the SL-1800mk2 variant, which was developed alongside the 1600mk2 / 1700mk2 / 1800mk2, but with a rubber base instead of spring suspension to stand up better to rough handling and being shipped. The downside to the rubber base is poor isolation from shock and vibrations. 

@sleepwalker65 basically i don't care about automatic turntables and my reference Technics was an SP-10mkII, this is my Technics setup. 

As for the spring suspension just look for the Isonoe Footers designed for Technics SL1200 series. They are great! I bought my SL1210mkII in 1996 and fully upgraded it long time ago. 

To any Technics fan i would recomment at least SP-10mkII in a cuatom plinth with proper tonearm. SL1200 or 1600 series or even new SL1200GAE is always a compromise. I don't like then much. 

I heard my first sp 10 mark II yesterday. Had a Jelco tonearm and a MM cartridge on it. The cartridge was an Old Stanton. Not sure which one. It sounded great but I would not that the 1200G is a compromise. In fact I would rather have my 1200G any day. Sorry...  Its closer to a lateral move than anything but the 1200G is newer and I honestly think its sounds better to me.  Of course my table has a lyra delos on it but not sure that it matters that much.  That Stanton sounded great.  So great in fact that I am getting an older Pickering MM cartridge that is supposed to be close to the Stanton he had.