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Hi y'all! newbie here. buying a new table, and wanted some opinions.

BrokenCircle

BrokenCircle

New Member
Howdy!
so I've been a collector for a bit now but am just starting to break into the audiophile world and am looking to upgrade my table with a table that is reliable but that I could also start to work on. I'm on a shoestring budget, and have narrowed my tables down to two. I am currently running a Numark TTusb (it was a gift) with a Shure m92e cart. I'm not crazy about it, particularly aesthetically and it gets so much vibration due to how lightweight it is (I have added a double layer of 1/4" ply with a sheet of fiberglass insulation sandwiched between under the plinth to help out, but its time.) I have narrowed it down to a couple of options for sale in my area (asheville, NC) off craigslist. they are-

Pioneer PL-10, not sure what cart (the seller hasn't answered), very good condition for $100

Realistic Lab 290 with the original r47edt cart. I'm not sure what the stylus is in it, also very good condition for $45.

Or should I save my dollars and wait? My budget won't ever grow too much, so you kinda know where I am looking. I am just wanting a decent table that I can upgrade slowly.

I am running a shitty technical pro rx503 amp (which I will be replacing soon, hopefully) and Magnavox s8754 speakers.

Thanks y'all!
 
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Welcome to AK!

Your journey is just beginning, so get what you like or afford for now. Trust me on this it will not be the last one you buy.




Barney
 
Thanks for the welcome! I've been a lurker here for a bit, and am excited to finally join. I recapped one of the magnavox today (my first time breaking into any sort of small electronics) which was exciting and went pretty well and am doing the next one tomorrow. I can feel an addiction coming....
 
Welcome to the AK forums. Get what you can afford, save up a few nickels towards the inevitable upgrades. Most of all, enjoy the music.
 
I can't make a recommendation, but this thread ties to me as well, so I thought I'd join in rather than start a new one. I inherited some vinyl and low end turntable, (Kenwood KD-35r). I've been looking at old and new. Thorens on the vintage side and Pro-Ject on the new side. I keep leaning toward the Thorens. I'm anywhere in the $600 to $1200 range. TD-166's and TD 125's and 160 Super's (respectively). I just don't know enough about them and have never experienced them. I found a nearby store that had a Thorens TD-147 that he wanted $1,000 for. I thought that was a little on the high side, although I think it had an SME tone arm.

Anyway, good luck on your search too. There's just so much out there and to consider, it can get overwhelming. I'll be interested in what the veterans have to say here. Cheers!
 
tlyons71 said:
I can't make a recommendation, but this thread ties to me as well, so I thought I'd join in rather than start a new one. I inherited some vinyl and low end turntable, (Kenwood KD-35r). I've been looking at old and new. Thorens on the vintage side and Pro-Ject on the new side. I keep leaning toward the Thorens. I'm anywhere in the $600 to $1200 range. TD-166's and TD 125's and 160 Super's (respectively). I just don't know enough about them and have never experienced them. I found a nearby store that had a Thorens TD-147 that he wanted $1,000 for. I thought that was a little on the high side, although I think it had an SME tone arm.

Anyway, good luck on your search too. There's just so much out there and to consider, it can get overwhelming. I'll be interested in what the veterans have to say here. Cheers!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

Here is a source you may find interesting: http://vinylnirvana.com/vintage-turntables-for-sale/stock-thorens-td-147-495-plus-shipping/

Wild estimate on the unknown model of SME tone arm - $300.00. :idea:
 
tlyons71 said:
I can't make a recommendation, but this thread ties to me as well, so I thought I'd join in rather than start a new one. I inherited some vinyl and low end turntable, (Kenwood KD-35r). I've been looking at old and new. Thorens on the vintage side and Pro-Ject on the new side. I keep leaning toward the Thorens. I'm anywhere in the $600 to $1200 range. TD-166's and TD 125's and 160 Super's (respectively). I just don't know enough about them and have never experienced them. I found a nearby store that had a Thorens TD-147 that he wanted $1,000 for. I thought that was a little on the high side, although I think it had an SME tone arm.

Anyway, good luck on your search too. There's just so much out there and to consider, it can get overwhelming. I'll be interested in what the veterans have to say here. Cheers!
Click to expand...

I have a TD-160 in my main system ( just got it a couple of weeks ago) and a Technics SL-1800 in my bedroom system. Two very different tables. The Thorens is very warm and involving, an absolute pleasure to listen to. The Technics is brighter and more crisp. And they have the same carts and styli. I think the Thorens could be an acquired taste for some. I played WAY less than a grand for mine in excellent condition.
And B.C...yes, welcome. Definitely shop around...There are a lot of tables out there for not too much $$ that are better than your Numark. A Pioneer PL-400 was the table I cut my teeth on. Nice and affordable. Happy hunting!
 
Agreed, $1000 for the Thorens is more than the market value. That said, it's better than anything new for under a grand. But for much less you could snag a decent Kenwood DD, and some with a botique arm like the KD500 and 600 models, TOTL in their day.
 
Your two options are both good, that said, the Pioneer PL 10 in good order would be my choice. It is a well built, simple, manual belt drive classic. It takes standard SME type headshell options, has a very good tonearm, good motor, and heavy platter. They're easy to maintain, reliable, and very fine sounding. I own a PL-12 of my own. I really love it, and I love it even better than I do my PL 530 DD automatic. Which is saying a lot.
 
That was actually one of the TT's I was using as a reference point. I've been checking Dave's vinyl nirvana resources for a couple months now. He had a very nice TD-125 for sale less than a month ago but I missed out.

http://vinylnirvana.com/vintage-turntables-for-sale/the-master-thorens-td-125-mkii-wgrace-707-arm/

Anyway, another tell tale sign on the TD 147 was when he plugged it in and, for whatever reason, it wouldn't power up. I'm sure the place is legit and there was a lot of nice hi-fi equipment there, but, to me, that was a sign for me to keep looking :no:

Thanks.
 
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