Direct Drive

I’m a big fan of the Technics Direct Drive tables. Still have one that I purchased new in 1978 for $150 and while I didn’t use it much for many years I recently set it up in my office system and it sounds great and is quiet and keeps perfect speed.

You have a nice system and it would be worth the extra $500 to jump up to the 1200GR. I would do the same myself if my old table would ever break down but that is probably unlikely.  

Yes, the Ortofon red is quite good as a first cartridge. I tried it and was pleasantly surprised. I’ve since moved on to MC carts and am loving the detail they provide.

Hard to go wrong with DD turntables. I had a Technics SL1200mk2 for 20 trouble free years and finally moved up to a 1200G. Technics makes outstanding TTs. Can’t go wrong. They have such a strong grip on the sound. The new technics tonearms run better gimbal bearings than the older mk2 standard...you can feel the difference, which is kind of incredible if you know that handling the old tonearm felt like handling ’air’.

Lot’s of other great designs out there. But it’s really easy setup-wise having a Technics.

Good luck!

@pedroeb....Well, I'm a fan mostly due the logic of 'method in +/- = method out' v. the function of an arc. Cart selection will vary per taste, as usual.

Obviously, you'd be back to the best table you can strive for....

Actually I went to the Clearaudio site, products tonearms scroll down and they're all there....although there's more of them about...

I've been curious about diy'g a tang, as that's about as well.

If you've the chance to hear one regardless of the cart....won't hurt, 'cept the price. *L*

+1 on the 1200G - not certain about the other models but I hear they have nearly the same motor. Set aside funds for a phono pre-amp and a cartridge. The 2M is muffled like others have said and should be avoided. A 1000 or 100 with a Denon 103 would be a good match, but a good SUT would cost you as much if not more than the rest of the rig. I’ve heard good things about the Nagaoka MP 500 for a MM cart, but I have no real world experience. I listen to a like of big band which I expect requires the same characteristics as classical, and a fast cart is a must. If there is a weakness with the technics it’s the arm. I’ve compared a belt drive with a Groovemaster arm and the Technics with a stock arm, both running a Miyajima Zero on 78rpm’s, and the Technics still beats the BD, despite the arm.  

The Technics 1500's phono stage and Ortofon cartridge are really just "get you started" inclusions.

Compared to the Clearaudio concept, the Technics will sound like it has more "get up and go" but it is a bit ragged tonally in the midrange and treble - not really what you want for Classical music, particularly.

Unless OP has a large stock of vinyl albums, it's questionable as to whether getting an entry level (ish) turntable makes sense.