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- #21
I'd lean toward marketing, with the impetus for the change likely due part availability and/or platform consolidation.
The original 1200G(AE) used a dedicated motor drive IC and a uC while the 10R just uses a single uC. Performance-wise, with my best W&F track, both are neck and neck with the SP-10MK3. In their marketing for the 10R they go on about how nice the drive waveforms look, and they do, but the MK3 does dandy with trapezoidal drive. Assuming the GR DNA is similar to the G or R, it's hard to imagine a meaningful improvement.
The reason for me to even look at another table is I miss the detachable headshell my Robin arm had. Makes having multiple mounted cartridges a reality. My Satisfy arm on my Performance DC does not have this. Changing to another arm that does could easily be more $ than the entire Technics table - unless one goes with the G model with the magnesium arm. I think the Groovemaster 3 arm will fit my base, but by the time you buy their headshell, you are pushing $3K. At that point maybe the model G starts to be attractive. Plus the benefit of not replacing belts with direct drive.