Robert
Tapehead
I've had a 1210GR now for a few weeks, and before that ran a stock 1200 Mk2 for about 8 months.
Do I miss belt drive? - no, the GR to me is unswervingly neutral, clean and stable. It reminds of good digital in many ways, but then so do top end Rega decks so I don't think it's the drive system alone.
What is lacks is a warmth found on many, particularly suspended decks such as Linn, some Thorens, Michell. You can introduce some of this with a felt mat, more successfully on the GR than the Mk2 as the former puts more mass in the platter without reliance on a heavy rubber mat to increase the platter mass. Better arm on the GR, and the feet definitely work better than those on the Mk2.
Will it be my last main/reference TT? - No, I'd like that to be a Niad but I'll never afford one so plan on picking up a Planar 10 at some point.
Do I miss belt drive? - no, the GR to me is unswervingly neutral, clean and stable. It reminds of good digital in many ways, but then so do top end Rega decks so I don't think it's the drive system alone.
What is lacks is a warmth found on many, particularly suspended decks such as Linn, some Thorens, Michell. You can introduce some of this with a felt mat, more successfully on the GR than the Mk2 as the former puts more mass in the platter without reliance on a heavy rubber mat to increase the platter mass. Better arm on the GR, and the feet definitely work better than those on the Mk2.
Will it be my last main/reference TT? - No, I'd like that to be a Niad but I'll never afford one so plan on picking up a Planar 10 at some point.