How about a more cost effective bearing upgrade? Apply some value engineering into reducing size and weight and concentrate on the actual bearing interface. Something that sold for £150 -£200 would have a much bigger market. Most people are put off buying Mike's excellent product as it costs far more than they paid for the SL1200 in the first place. I think 'development cost' would have to go down to labour off love though but maybe a sounder commercial proposition in the long run. BTW I read that future Funk platter mods may be based around a dedicated ruby bearing.

Paul.