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I want to buy a new turntable. Which one?

richamor

richamor

amateur house husband
Hi folks.

Right now I have a Dual 1229 in excellent shape with a Shure mX97xE cartridge. It sounds great playing through the Sansui AU666 intergrated amp to the Epicure Model 20 or the 2.0 speakers. I may hook the turntable uo to a Marantz receiver, not to sure about that yet.

But I want another turntable. I prefer the older stuff. I just gave away a technics SL-Q2. I would like a belt drive. And I need to keep the cost within reason. I've been looking at a Thorens TD166 MkII, but would consider pretty much anything in that genre.

Since you guys are a whole LOT more knowledgable than me about this, I thought I'd ask around for recommendations. Thanks in advance.:music:
 
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Or just search the forum here. Looks like we have about 14,500 threads in this forum, with 10 times the amount of posts....

I guess the first thing to ask is what you consider to be a reasonable cost. Knowing your budget, we can certainly make a LOT of recommendations.
 
I now run a vpi scout with a sme arm and grado statement sonata.I used to run a thorens td 160.When i upgraded i swaped my arm and cart.Here was the difference.The td 160 was much warmer.More tubelike.My vpi dug out whole sounds and textures that the 160 missed.Still concidering what the 160 is it holds up very well compared to my more modern deck.
It is much more cheaply built.It is a 70's product after all.It does have good tooling in the important places it needs.The bearing etc.It ran .1 % slow.Still i could of lived with it.I upgraded simply because i wanted a more modern looking deck.
Don't get me wrong my scout is better on so many levels.My 160 though is no slouch.
If i was looking for a used deck id get a 124 no doubt.That deck can be made to run as good as any new deck.Its built like a tank and has parts available.
 
I would like to keep it under 500 bucks and that would be an extreme for a vintage turntable.
 
careful with those suspended type tables(TD-166II etc...) if you don't have concrete floors, wall mount, or extensive damping platform... they are VERY susceptable to footfalls!
 
I gave you a cheap choice the td 160.I got mine mint off ebay for 210.I gave you also what i would buy.Whats quality and is good enough to be your last tt.The 124.
You won't get a good one for 500.
You were given very good advice about shelf mounting a suspended table.That is a must with any thorens.
 
bolly said:
careful with those suspended type tables(TD-166II etc...) if you don't have concrete floors, wall mount, or extensive damping platform... they are VERY susceptable to footfalls!
Click to expand...

Actually I have a Thorens TD125 MKII (suspended) that's on a wood floor, and you pretty much have to jump up and down to affect it at all.
 
richamor: Hmmm, if you already like the 1229 - how about another Dual then? I'd imagine you'd enjoy a 601 or a 1249. That should even leave quite a bit of your budget for a couple more cartridges and cart carriers... Or an additional 701 - then you'd have a very nice idler, belt and direct drive each as well a three of the best Duals ever...

A nice classic Thorens wouldn't be a bad idea either, though. However, I'd suggest to try one first, if you have a chance to, 'cause quite a few models have a really wobbly subchassis - not everyone's taste in terms of handling (and adjustment isn't really easy either...): I had a TD160 Super with Grace 707 arm and Yamaha MC-505 cart (my, that really was a yummy one - too bad that Yamaha gave up on making their wonderful MCs...) back in the 80s - and while the sound was just excellent, the wobble really drove me nuts. So, after only a few years, I sold it to a friend and replaced it with a much more modest and much less well regarded TD280II, which nevertheless was much more to my liking in terms of handling (and at least features automatic stop and lift-off... ;)) and sonically turned out to be pretty nice as well, as soon as I had its stock Stanton replaced...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
I really appreciate the help guys! Right now it looks like a Dual 701 or a Thorens 145. I do like an auto shut off.

Any more suggestions?:music:

Thanks again folks!
 
Perhaps it's not your game but many people have been very happy with the Systemdek IIX. Although not as popular as Thorens or Dual, it has been labled as a giant killer by some. I don't know if that's truley the case but I can tell you that I think it's a great table for the $$$$.

I have compared it to my VPI HW-19 Mk. III, and my Oracle Paris, and found it to hold up to them sound wise. Build construction is good (again in the important places i.e. bearing ect.)

And, It looks stunning. See below:




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IMG_6043.jpg
 
I've a friend that has one like that. Very nice, but they don't come up for sale very often. There's one on ebay now at close to 600 bucks. While it may be worth every penny, It's more than I have in the funds right now.:no:
 
Well, the Rega P3 with the RB300 has been around for 25 years now. Does that count as vintage?
Piece of cake to set up and an incredibly musical table. Does the PRAT thing astonishingly well. You just sit there and keep spinning records.
 
Looking at a TD 147 right now. Going to pick up a Dual CS 508 Saturday for 20 bucks. Guy said it's in great shape. IhopeIhope:banana:

That one can go in the garage system:music:
 
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