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Buying advice -- Rek-o-Kut and Thorens

G

gscooper

New Member
Hi all,
I have the opportunity to buy a restored Rek-O-Kut N-H34, or a Thorens TD-165. I am a complete newbie, but from what I have read so far, this could be a great way to get into vinyl!

But I need some advice. Here are the specs:

Rek-O-Kut N-H34: Seller says there is a newly installed Rek-O-Kut belt, and "serviced 100% the motor, bearing, wood and hand polished top plate." It has a new tonearm (Pioneer) and a new middle-grade AT cartridge (seller was not home and couldn't remember the model offhand).

Thorens TD-165: Seller claims "in like new conditions with new Thorens belt, Ortofon OM10 Cartridge (no needle)."

Neither have a dust cover, but I figure that's something I can figure out later.

I have posted photos below.

Any advice on these (including price I should be willing to pay....) would be much appreciated!

Best,
Greg
 

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OK. I am no expert here but have had experience with similar tables to the ones you are asking about. These are two very different tables. One semi modern and one very industrial. Both great tables in their own right. But it all boils down to what you want as far as what a table can do for you. Do you want a table that once set up properly gives you a hell of a punch and is able to run through a brick wall and still perform? Or do you want a table that sounds very good and gives you automated conveniences to make your listening experience less about the equipment and more about the musical enjoyment.

Really how much are you willing to mess around with this? Do you want a cool project or are you looking for a daily driver?
 
Both are quality machines. Both belt drive. Unless I'm wrong there's no automatic features to be had on either.

From a performance standpoint I'd probably give the nod to the Thorens, that tonearm has to be better than the Pioneer arm. OTOH the Rek o kut is likely more rugged than the Thorens.
 
Well, my hope is that I don't have to mess around much with either. It sounds like both have been well taken care of and restored, so really I suppose I'm looking for which is going to give me the best sound. The tonearm was the one thing I was worried about with the Rek.....same seller is asking more for the Rek than the Thorens, but the Thorens needs a new needle and the cartridge is not new. I do like the look of the Rek, and the whole industrial/radio station quality/construction is sort of neat....

Any thoughts on a decent price?
 
FWIW, that Thorens you showed a picture of has aftermarket feet which has to be an upgrade over the OEM ones and a respectible cartridge that can be upgraded depending on your $$$ available.

I can't tell if the baseboard has been upgraded to thick MDF but that will make an great improvement in sound if done.

I don't know ROK TTs but have two Thorens, 165 and a 166. The 165 has a Grado Prestige Black cartridge, MDF baseboard and Vibrapod feet and sounds great. The MDF and feet really made a difference.

The arm and cartridge on the ROK would cause me concern. HTH, Preston
 
Thanks for all the advice. So the seller is asking $250 for the Thorens. Thoughts? I can get a replacement stylus for the Ortofon OM10 easily, right? And relatively easy to install?
 
I think that sparty hit the proverbial nail on the head. It's really dependent on what kind of table you want. I have a Rek O Kut (B12) and a Thorens (TD150) and like them both. The B12 is an idler-driven ROK, and I really like the pace, rhythm, and timing in the way it presents music. There's just something pleasing to me about the way those old heavy platters present leading-edge information like drums and bass lines. But the Thorens is a solid table as well, and very tweak-able if you become so inclined.

The Ortofon stylus replacement is very simple, btw. Just slide the old one off, and slip the new one on.
 
If the arm on the ROK is a good one (or if you want to upgrade the arm anyway) the decision would tip towards the ROK for me.

Also because there are a lot more Thorens than ROK's here. ;)
Dunno how the Thorens/ROK percentage is distributed in the USA.
 
The N-34H is a very rare turntable. Use a strobe disc to make sure the belt is driving it at the right speed, I had one that drove me nuts due to a belt thickness issue.
 
I'm heading out this afternoon to get the ROK. (Another seller beat me to the Thorens, making the decision somewhat easier :) ). The seller claims to have speed tested, and I plan on getting a strobe disc myself to do the same, and ensure things stay up to speed. Thanks for all for the advice. Very excited to bring it home!
 
No dice! Very sketchy selling conditions, item not nearly in the condition advertised, pics were very deceiving. UGH. Who'd have thought finding a decent table would be so hard? Ebay & Craigslist are both failing me..... (and my city is devoid of anything approaching culture in this sense!).

Thanks anyway,
Greg
 
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