IMHO yamaha a-s701 and a-s801 would be a great buy for the money if they have some missing features like Rec Out... it really miss to me. My second Technics SU-VX700 does it but of course it is year 91.
I bought Yamaha A-S701 and REC SEL is gone. I have had a habit that each amplifier had rec selector. Now I have first amp which doesn't have rec selector knob.
I´m only in 6-7hours break in period. Everything is nice besides bass. I´m waiting when bass come to cart :) Probably another 20 hours needed. Its fantastic cart!
I wonder too what differences would be there.... I have never seen any real comparison review between old one lets say MK2 or MK5 and the new GR model.
I used many alignment method and I always back to classic Technics 52mm :-) It sounds the best. Engineers in factory are not crazy if they suggest 52mm