OP

IMHO, I would lean towards the 1200GR2 to save. the G is the flagship model and yes, it has all the bangs and whistles. Since you claim that you are just keeping a small number of vinyl’s then YES, go with the more inexpensive version that that will serve you many years (decades) to come. 

I was in the same boat as you were. and chose the more entry level of the Vpi line. well, years later I did not regret this decision. Today I did start building my vinyl collection and the move I did was to Upgrade the Phono cart and the Phono Preamp. Now that gives more value than just moving up a step in the model series.

Good luck on your decision

@lewm @corelli @larsman 

I listen to vinyl 70%, CD 30%. (I must like it, every aspect of it) I don't stream, I know little about analog. My world revolves around vinyl.

I was being cynical referring to the famous cartoon. 

And being wrong is my home address, I am ALWAYS wrong. I come here to get corrected and sometimes to learn

This is great information thank you. 

Most of my records will be 12-in mixes of electronic music from the ’90s. Like razormaid mixes. The two albums that I bought brand new recently are dinosaur Jr and mazzy Star which are guitar music

I was going to go with the ortofon black cart for around 1k

OP

which black, this one has a Sapphire Cantilever/Shibata Stylus Shape

MC Quintet Black S

The Quintet Black S is the best example of Quintet’s overall excellence.

The Quintet Black S is graced with a Nude Shibata diamond, considered one of the best stylus profiles available, mounted on a high-performance Sapphire cantilever.

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Their 2M Black has Aluminum Cantilever/Shibata Stylus Shape

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I like Audio Technica, this MM, user replacable stylus is Boron Cantilever/MicroLine Stylus shape $329. If it has an x in it’s model number, it’s boron.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/all/at-vm745xml

Here’s one of their Moving Coils, Boron/MicroLinear $649.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/type/moving-coil/at-oc9xml

If you can afford the SL 1200 G, please go for it. You won’t regret it. I have two turntables: a Technics SL 1200 GR with Ortofon cartridges and a Denon DL 103 with an MC preamp. It sounds heavenly; since then, I’ve bought 60 more LPs in addition to my original 400. I also have a Denon DP 3000 NE, which I can also recommend—it costs only 2,200 euros. What amplifier with MM/MC phono input do you have?