Rega Planar 6 vs Technics SL-1200GR2 – Quality of Life Differences?

@jt449 

I assume you have heard CDs or Streaming thru the other changes.

You never know what that new cartridge would have sounded like on the Rega, or thru the prior equipment.

Where’s the old cartridge? I’d get a spare headshell and listen to it on the Technics. That will teach you something about the phono stage change. I always say, when it comes to Phono, it is ’Preferred’ not ’Better’, and try to have return privileges. 

I arranged a re-tip of a friend’s Benz Micro Ruby Wood LOMC, and played it here enough hours to ’break it in’ before comparing to other cartridges. Thru my SUT and MM Phono that I have heard all cartridges, mine and friend’s, thru for years. i.e. no other changes, just the cartridge.

I have 3 arms and can play all of them simultaneously (staggered positions to play the same content just heard), so I can compare within seconds.

It sounded ’thin’ here.

This past week, I went to his home, installed and played it thru his system, it sounded very good there, played thru speakers I used to own and am very familiar with, having heard them in his system before. I think the difference was his SS Phono Stage, mine is via a Vintage McIntosh MM Tube Phono input.

I was very happy for him, and it taught me something by ear rather than words.

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Interesting to read that you are aware of the Rega VTA/Shims, and decided not to bother, and it sounded quite good to you.

My personality, I would have to get the shims, and it took me a lot of persistence, but I now know the overhang and two null point measurements for the Rega RB880 arm (and others)

So a quick update.  First, thank you all for your comments.  This was a back and forth in my mind, as a number of you commented - it could be a coin flip.

Ultimately, I was concerned that if I purchased the P6 I would wonder about the P8.  

In turn, I decided to purchase the GR2.  I am sure there are Rega enthusiasts who would say, well won't you wonder if you buy the GR2 what it might be like if you bought the 1300G?

Maybe.  Likely.  I don't think the desire to upgrade ends.  But somehow, maybe irrationally I have decide I am more comfortable short to medium term more comfortable with the GR2 vs the P6.

May I live to regret my choice?  Probably not in this case.  I don't think I was going to go wrong either way.  But I appreciate the comments and experience of all those of your who commented.  I took each comment very seriously.

I am currently negotiating a cartridge and optimistic about what why analog system will be in the future.

The real plus side?  My son has expressed interest in my Sansui SR-717.  I plan on finding some inexpensive speakers and an amp for him locally and building something fun for him.  Introducing him to this hobby will be the real win.  

@ctlesq 

"somehow, maybe irrationally I have decide I am more comfortable short to medium term more comfortable with the GR2 vs the P6."

It'll be much more entertaining to sit there and watch it spin but not as serious. LOL!

I got the arm that comes with the P8 (RB880) as soon as it came out and subsequently got the rest of the table. The only reservation I would have is if you have to install on a very bouncy floor and can't put it on a wall shelf or some other type of isolation. It is very light and IMHO sounds like nothing, which is what you want from a table. I don't tinker and knowing I have to ability to adjust VTA on the fly would annoy me.

Admittedly, I don't know anything about the Technics other than it is direct drive which I would think has some kind of componentry that could cause some kind of electrical or magnetic interference with the cartridge. 

I don't know about the Technics arm, but I would be the Rega RB880 would far outperform it. It is the only Rega table that comes with it.

@ctlesq 

I was in the same spot in 2017 (8 years ago - already?)  P6 vs the newly introduced GR. 

I had a well regarded high mass belt drive table and little things were going wrong- occasional motor stopping and note wavering to name one.  

I had never heard a Rega deck before and wanted to hear the fast dynamic PRAT that a Rega table was suposed to deliver.  I also wanted to hear the Technics.  

The Rega table came with the new at the time Ania cartridge.  The dealer actually had my speakers (Harbeth).  I listened and it did sound decently energetic.  I listened to two ablum sides.  About halfway through the second side I detected a slight pitch waver.  Oh boy, that ends that.  Combined with the cheap feel of the dust cover hinges and the fact that the tables can be prone to vibration AND that non Rega cartridges need tonearm spacers for proper VTA and possibly a lower profile counterweight and I said why would I want to?  

Bought the Technics sound unheard and it has been an absolute marvelous machine these past eight years.  I have not heard one instance of pitch waver and don't even think about the possibility.  VTA adjustment supports my Lyra cartridge perfectly and never a hint of vibraration induced issues.  

Dynamics are impeccable- such life and energy along with the smoothness of vinyl we enjoy.