OK... I'm good...

[royphil345]

Technics SL-1200MK2 arrived.

Got it level, DL-103R mounted in the official Technics headshell...

Set the tracking force to 2.5 grams and the anti-skate to match...

The sound is so "right" I wouldn't know where to start doing any fine-tuning by ear. Main difference seems to be much richer (more complete? or... stabile?) sound over the old Sony PS-X5 and the Rotel belt-drive I've also owned.

The stuff I said about the Rotel phono stage being thin sounding may be complete rubbish (the mids are slightly recessed compared to the NAD). I will eventually give it another try with the new table. It's sounding great with the NAD PP2. Maybe a little too thick in the mids to be considered true "audiophile". Not at all in any way that's the least bit unpleasant to listen to. That's for sure!!!

The music just "flows" from this table / cart combination. Think I'm finally done shopping and can get down to just enjoying the music.

Oh and... Is the difference worth getting up to take the needle off the record?... YES!!!