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

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.

I already have 2 Technics SL-1200 MK2s, but based on things I'd read elsewhere assumed that these would never really be "hi-fi"

Trust your ears and don't care about professors around that speak without to have listened
I have owned many super turtables starting from the first Transcriptor , Thorens , Linn Sondek , Michell , passing through Well Tempered Reference and my latest SME20/a and now I'm enjoing a SL1210 MKII cos I'm waiting to find a super TT
Well, the SL1200 is so good I can wait long time ...
Obviously you should be able to set up a SL1200 at its best .. and not for disco!