New Technics vs. old

Sleepwalker, you mention that one difference between the SL1200 and the SL1700 is that in the latter unit one can access the pitch control with cover down. Do you actually listen to vinyl with the dust cover down? If so, we come from different planets audio-wise. The differences you cite between the old 1200 and the old 1700 pale in comparison to the differences between those two and the new G, GAE, or GR. That’s my point.

Sleepwalker, As far as I can determine, the SL1700mk2 is one version of the old original SL1200, and even the SL1700 dates back to the early 1980s.  I guess it is different from the original SL1200 and most of its descendants in that it offers semi-auto operation.  Same goes for the SL1200mk7, which can still be purchased new, in that it too is in the same family with the old original SL1200 line.  None of those turntables are in the same league with the latest SL1200G, GAE, or GR.  The latter have a much better motor, better chassis', better platter, tonearm, etc., compared to any of the earlier models.

I can't see how the SL1700mk2 and the "barbaric" SL1200mk2 would be qualitatively different from one another, except in terms of extraneous features.  It is indeed unfortunate that Technics chose to preserve the outward physical appearance of the old SL1200 line and to keep using the "SL1200" naming system, when they introduced the G, GAE, and GR, but there's no need to confuse the OP, nevertheless.  Yes, the GAE, GR, and G would be highly recommended.