Custom Lenco L75 vs Technics 1200's

Hi lewm, yes I have gone to the extreme VTA change possible top to bottom as well as several points in between.  I have checked azimuth both with a bubble, with a grid and electronically by measuring distortion using AnalogMagic.  Separately, I did the same tests on my SME 3009 and did observe the azimuth change that Dover describes.  It seems this verifies both his and my methodology.  It is interesting that no one else has picked up on this discussion, which can be quite important depending on what arm is used.  As you say, it is easy enough to compensate for it with the right headshell, but it is important to know to look for it.  AnalogMagic has taught me that changing one position often affects others, but this information is very helpful.  Another parameter that seems to be not well understood is resonance frequency.  It is frequently outside of the desired 8-12 Hz range in my experience and it is very difficult to make adjustments to bring it in.  And it does make a difference.   

Fortunately, if one were to make a survey, I would guess that most modern and many vintage tonearms provide offset bearings (which is to say that the bearings at the pivot are offset at an angle to the arm wand which is equal to the headshell offset angle, for anyone who wonders what we are talking about.)  And it is a simple matter to assess one’s own tonearm for this design feature.  As one who is firmly in the Korf azimuth camp (I do not adjust azimuth away from 90 degrees no matter what), I don’t worry about it at all. And if I did, of my 5 tonearms in service, they all do have the offset bearings.

Also, I think we are talking about gimbal bearings.  With a true unipivot (not one of the several good ones that by one method or another stabilize the pivot), azimuth is all over the place, anyway.

Getting back to my original question being that I don't have any dealers in my area for technics or Denon. What do you guys prefer the Denon 3000NE or the 1300G?

There is a Denon dealer but he doesn't bring in the 3000. Bummers hard to listen to anything where I live.

@romad I thought I had already answered your question.  I bought a Denon 3000NE over the 1300G because of the price difference.  My SL1200GAE is better than the 1300G, but I used it to try to characterize the differences in comparing the two.  They are both excellent TTs, easily going to last forever type so you are right to take your time.  It is a shame you can't hear them, play with them, decide for yourself hands on.  Let me try again.  The Denon sounds softer, warmer almost like a good belt drive.  The Technics is brighter, has better detail.  You can make the Denon sound more like the Technics and vice versa by changing turntable platter pads.  So, these differences are subtle.  The Denon arm is more versatile because it has a sliding weight feature on the arm itself that allows you to change the effective mass of the arm to compensate for different compliance cartridges.  Both arms offer two counterweights for arm balance and are equally easy to set up otherwise.  The Denon arm advantage is real, however, and provides useful flexibility with a broader range of cartridges.  Esthetically the Denon wins by a mile, it is simply beautiful, where the technics is utilitarian.  Let me say this in closing, both of these are terrific turntables and you can't make a bad choice between them.  I own 5 turntables, the most expense of which, a VPI HW-40 costs over $20,000 now.  I use it sparingly, but both the Technics and the Denon get used daily.  I could easily be happy with either one as my one and only.

@billstevenson I think I am leaning more towards the 1200G now probably have to find used because out of stock. I don't want to pay 5k not sure why the price is so high now it was about $4200. I can buy a SP10 mk2 for $2200 with plinth arm and cart. along with power supply, but the guy has no records of service history only that his step father had it serviced about 7 years ago. It looks mint but I am scared if needs service. Nobody here can service it. The reason I like Technics is because you say it sounds more DD than Denon the Denon sounds more like belt drive and I don't care for belt drive. Thanks again for all the posts!