performance wise the modded 1200 is the way to go
Mod 1200MkII or Buy Rega RP6? or MMF-7 Package
Setup: Technics 1200MKII, stock arm, Denon 103; Cambridge 640p; Onkyo PR SC5808; B&K Ref 2700; BG Radia 520s.
I got the 1200 about 2 years ago and am currently pleased with it (can sound better than Oppo 83SE), but of course have the addiction.
I could easily go the mod route on the 1200: new main bearing, PSU, rewire, strobe delete, new tonearm (RB303), etc. Spend about 1300 if I go with KAB's stuff, up to 2000 if I go with OL's.
The question is this: For that kind of budget, between $1300 and $2000 would I be better off simply moving to say an RP6 at $1500? I get the desired tonearm, better PSU over the RP3, and that 'new car' smell. I could live there for a bit, and then put $500 to a new cart?
There's something very appealing to me about modding the 1200 (the DIY/Mod bug no doubt), but I have to consider both the time investment and the ultimate result. (Compare: I sold my heavily modded track day Miatas and bought a Lotus Elise and have no regrets--now I'm modding the Elise...see the pattern?).
The other option is find a nice rig here in the $1000-1500 range. See Item 1329017929 for example, an MMF-7 with upgraded PSU, cart, etc.
I got the 1200 about 2 years ago and am currently pleased with it (can sound better than Oppo 83SE), but of course have the addiction.
I could easily go the mod route on the 1200: new main bearing, PSU, rewire, strobe delete, new tonearm (RB303), etc. Spend about 1300 if I go with KAB's stuff, up to 2000 if I go with OL's.
The question is this: For that kind of budget, between $1300 and $2000 would I be better off simply moving to say an RP6 at $1500? I get the desired tonearm, better PSU over the RP3, and that 'new car' smell. I could live there for a bit, and then put $500 to a new cart?
There's something very appealing to me about modding the 1200 (the DIY/Mod bug no doubt), but I have to consider both the time investment and the ultimate result. (Compare: I sold my heavily modded track day Miatas and bought a Lotus Elise and have no regrets--now I'm modding the Elise...see the pattern?).
The other option is find a nice rig here in the $1000-1500 range. See Item 1329017929 for example, an MMF-7 with upgraded PSU, cart, etc.