MoFi Ultradeck or Technics 1200GR

I'm assuming the OP likely made a decision by now, but I'll weigh in if others find this thread.

I also demoed both at the same dealer, and we used my Sutherland 20/20 on both tables. I did not have the luxury of having the same cart in both, but I also told the dealer to pick the carts he felt paired best with each within my budget, and I was judging on an "out the door" package. Obviously the same cart on both is ideal, but I'm a consumer, not a reviewer. I was looking for the table that would work best for me and my system.
The UD was paired with the MasterTracker.
The 1200GR was paired with the Hana SL.
I took 5 records with, and we did one track from each on both tables.
Associated gear with BAT amplification and Rockport speakers. I don't remember on all the cables.

I also agree with @avanti1960 - the GR was a little more dynamic and detailed, while the MoFi was more laid back. What's interesting to me was that the MoFi seemed to really play best to older recordings and acoustics, while the GR stood out with modern and more synth/electric music. I can see the argument that to some the UD would feel a little loft at the top, but I don't feel it lacked detail. And to me, the GR felt a little overly analytical and etched at some points. The attack from the piano on one track stood out as somewhat unnatural to my ear, but that was only because I was in an A/B and really nitpicking. To be fully honest, they were both excellent, and each had their own trade offs. And yes, some of the sound differences could have been attributed to the carts, I get that. 

Remember that system matching is important as well, and for me that's what it came down to. My system already runs bright, and I felt that the GR set up was going to be too aggressive and somewhat exaggerated/artificial sounding in my system. I came home with the UD, and I have been extremely happy for over a year now. Everything still runs great and sounds great.

If you can demo, that's the way to go. Pick the table that works for you!

^ really good comparison of two nice affordable turntables! 

Good work displayname. I think you chose wisely (he didn't turn into dust in 30 seconds) In mechanical devises simplicity is generally best. Extraneous vibration is a big problem for cartridges and the design of the MoFi with it's dampened plinth and delrin platter will be much less likely to pass extraneous vibration on to the cartridge.  The Technics is flashy looking but it's platter is more likely to ring and the many cavities in it's plinth may resonate and ring also. It has a heavy tonearm which will be limited ti lower compliance cartridges whereas the MoFi arm is light and will handle high compliance cartridges and with the addition of head shell weights all low compliance cartridges. The MoFi is simply a more elegant and flexible design. I personally do not like removable head shells with added contact points. Most of use do not juggle cartridges. If you compare cartridges using two turntables all set up is a much more effective way of doing it. 

The Technics is flashy looking but it's platter is more likely to ring and the many cavities in it's plinth may resonate and ring also. It has a heavy tonearm which will be limited ti lower compliance cartridges whereas the MoFi arm is light and will handle high compliance cartridges and with the addition of head shell weights all low compliance cartridges. 

@mijostyn I think you have very little information about Technics turntable and most likely you have never owned any of them. Technics tonearm is nowhere near high mass! While the MoFi cartridges for some reason are fairly low compliance 8-10cu (too low for MM), so the MoFi tonearm must be much higher mass than Technics, because Technics is not designed for low compliance cartridges, Technics headshell is lighweight. Technics always was great for MM/MI cartridges with compliance up to 30cu, but not for a low compliance cartridges.

The UD was paired with the MasterTracker.
The 1200GR was paired with the Hana SL.

@displayname You are comparing apples to oranges, you're not comparing turntables, you are comparing cartridges of the different type (MM vs. MC mounted on two different toneamrs) and all your preferences is a cartridge preferences, not a turntable. Also your Hanna is not the best cartridge for Technics tonearm. Such comparison makes no sense. Your test does not prove anything regarding turntables. If you want to compare turntables you must use same tonearm and same cartridge and same phonostage on both of them. With the arms/cartridges that you have the last thing you have to do is to swap them between those two turntables, but you can't. 

@displayname You are comparing apples to oranges, you're not comparing turntables, you are comparing cartridges of the different type (MM vs. MC mounted on two different toneamrs) and all your preferences is a cartridge preferences, not a turntable. 

As I stated in my review, I'm not a reviewer. I was a consumer looking for the best turntable system for my system. I made that decision based on the sound I heard and my preferences. 

 Also your Hanna is not the best cartridge for Technics tonearm. 

Not my Hana. This was the dealer's choice. He could have selected any cartridge he wanted to pair with the Technics, including the MoFi carts which he does stock. I'm going to trust his experience over mine. He had every reason to pair both tables with the best cart in my budget because he was trying to make a sale. 

If you want to compare turntables you must use same tonearm and same cartridge and same phonostage on both of them. 

In an scientific testing sense, I agree. But no normal person shops like that, especially at this price point. Maybe at higher end tables, but at this price point swapping out tone arms doesn't make sense for anyone.
 
We controlled as many variables as possible. Same speakers, same amps, same room, same phonostage, same cables. The only gear changing was the turntable/cart combo, and the phonostage settings (to match each cart accordingly). 

As I said at the end of my last post, I would encourage anyone to work with a local dealer, and let your ears decide. Make choices that fit your preferences and match best with your system.