Sorry to hear about your headshell trouble with an otherwise good deck. Sending the whole TT for a HS replacement is quite "insane". I understand for some it would be about the principle of getting it replaced for free or making it right with customers, but I would've rather get an OEM HS replacement for $55 + s&h and move on. Please check out the link: TPBAA201 Panasonic Shell Unit Hope this gets sorted out for you and no other issues concerning the HS or the deck itself.
I'm a Technics fan boy through and through. Have a made in Japan GR and two made in Malaysia G's. Very disappointing to hear about this. I never loved the GR cueing. It's much better on the G, but you shouldn't have to pay double for a good cueing lever. I would say that the fit and finish could be improved upon. I don't like Clearaudio products. I've owned one and the cueing lever on the Satisfy tonearm was a fiasco. But Clearaudio provides nice tonearm leads and a pair of cotton gloves with their TT's, though. Technics should do the same, especially for the G with the brass platter and all. They could also supply an extra 6mm mat for azimuth adjustment. The table retails for 5 grand Canadian. Technics could add 50 bucks to the price and make that happen. They take customer loyalty for granted in many cases.
