Rega P3-24, Pro-Ject RM-5, or Technics 1200?

Very good explanation, Learsfool, and good question, Tvad....... From what I've gathered by reading a gazillion reviews of Rega TT's in preparation for my upcoming purchase of a brand new Rega P3-24 with a Rega Exact cartridge mounted and set up by my dealer (Yea !!!....only a week away.....I can hardly wait !), the VTA of both the RB-301 and RB-700 arms is pre-set for Rega cartridges. Using other brand pick-ups will require the proper use of single or multiple 2mm. shims under the arm base to provide the proper VTA. VTA adjustments should not be necessary with the Rega cartridge line. One of the many reasons for my choosing the Rega Exact instead of the Dynavector 10x5 or Benz-Micro Ace is that I feel the "systems approach" of matching a Rega cartridge with a Rega arm and a Rega table makes sense. Obviously, others may disagree, but that's how I feel.
Now,....let's all relax, cue up our favorite record, and enjoy the music !!

Hey folks - thanks for all the responses. Based on suggestions, I think I'm going to start off by changing to a Sumiko Headshell and get the Audio Technica AT150MLX cartridge.

Then I'll get the KAB fluid damper and the Isonoe footers. I'm not sure about the tonearm rewire, as my tables are so old I don't have the original boxes to ship to KAB, and I'm not sure that's something I can do myself.

In fact, after reading through various posts on here, I'm worried about just swapping out the headshell and cartridge. What kind of tools am I going to need to get this set up properly? I see mentions of stylus force gauges, protractors, etc. This is all a new process to me. It's beginning to sound more complicated than I thought it would be and I want to make sure I'm going to be able to pull it off ;-)

Swapping the headshell requires no tools, and changing the cartridge
requires only a screwdriver to fasten the cartridge screws, and a pair of small,
needle nose pliers to attach the cartridge wires to the headshell.

You will need an alignment protractor to align the stylus, and a small, flat
make-up mirror to set azimuth.

Honestly, if you decide to change your headshell and cartridge, a MintLP protractor would be the best $110 you ever spent on the Technics. I'd suggest also buying the magnifying loupe for an additional $10. If you use the MintLP protractor, then you will not need an additional mirror.

As far as shipping to KAB is concerned, why not contact Kevin? He might have
an empty Technics box and packing he could send to you so you could pack
your table in it and return it to him. No guarantees, but it's worth asking, and
he might have some other ideas for shipping solutions.

You don't HAVE to spend a great deal of money, but you will have to invest
some time and patience if you choose to change your headshell and cartridge.
It comes with the territory.

As an alternative, KAB sells modified Ortofon and Stanton cartridges that are
plug-n-play with the Technics. You wouldn't need a protractor or any of the
other tools.

Finally, the option of a Rega with an Exact cartridge also appears to be a
hassle-free alternative.

Many options.

Tvad, that is an excellent question. Adam18 has basically answered it for me, as well, thanks. I have heard that if you want to try a different cartridge on a Rega, you have to buy their spacers to do so, as Rega's cartridges are not quite the standard size. Another reason for the after market stuff is that in this hobby, as I am sure you are aware, there are a great many people much more interested in the equipment than the music, and these folks usually can't leave well enough alone, they have to keep messing with stuff.

I should emphasize that this is NOT a criticism of the great many DIYers who use musical reasons as the basis for their experiments. I would love to build my own SET amp, for instance, or my own horn speakers like my uncle did, if I had any engineering skills whatsoever. Maybe after I retire, but that's a long way off yet. In the meantime, I figure that the manufacturer knows alot more about it than I do, so I will not mess with my Rega setup.

12-09-08: Learsfool
... in this hobby, as I am sure you are aware, there are a great many people
much more interested in the equipment than the music, and these folks usually
can't leave well enough alone, they have to keep messing with
stuff.

I believe most people who add VTA devices to Rega tables are seeking to
increase the performance of their systems and are just as interested in music as
you are...even considering your profession as a musician. They are simply
seeking to make their in-home musical experience as real as possible.

I consider the ability to adjust VTA an important element of correct set-up, not a
tweak.