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Less Than $500 turntable List..

Thank You ALL...

Good Morning,

Well I have to say I am impressed with all the information I now have to make a choice. I did own a Technics SL-1500 a while ago, it needed work with the speed issues and the cables went bad, etc. After I fixed it it sounded very nice with a Grado Black cartridge.

I may put my Thorens to better use by buying the Stylus for $110 and using it more. I will let you all know what comes out of this purchase or not.:scratch2:

Also need to see how much I get for my TT's that I sell for the final $$$ amount to purchase a new one.

I looked at the Music Halls, Projects, and Regas on NeedleDoctor and really was not impressed. I have a Dealer here in AZ that I will visit for a listen to testing of some of My music.:thmbsp:

The Denon has a Full Auto TT also, looks nice.:scratch2:

Thanks for ALL the help here.
John.:music:
 
About the Thorens 166 MKII... I owned one, hated it, did many mods to make it sound better, it sounded great, but after all that work, I ended up hating it more so I sold it.

P.S. the TD166 MKII is a bad turntable, third to the 115, and the 105. I hope you have the tp63 wand... the TP62 is garbage... PITA to set right.

I bought a 145, moded it the same way I did the 166, I have added the TP16 III tonearm and it sounded way better (the TP16-I tonearm is the achilles for all older Thorens). A friend of mine is a DJ and he has two 1200s and I have to say that my 145 beats them... even with his none DJing cartridge on.

If you want a direct drive go for Denon I have heard they are sonically better, I know the 1200 isn't because I can hear the humming of the motor when I go to my friends house, and some of the sound quality from the records is muffled by the humm.

I just bought a lenco L75, which is an Iidler. I will be adding two tonearms, an RB300 and a Syrinx PU2... luckily for me the Syrinx fits perfectly on the Lenco no extra drilling!!!:thmbsp:

But if I was to go for a direct drive I would look at Denon or Micro Seiki... they come with better tonearms than the Technics... and are sonically considered to be better, I'm sure that you can get used ones for under $500 and in great condition. I know because I was about to buy a kick ass Micro Seiki with an MA 505 tonearm for $200!! the 505 is worth more than $200 alone and it would blow the Technics tonearm under any criteria!!

Like someone else said, I'm surprised to see so many people praising the sl1200, specially when they don't give an alternate brand of DDs.
 
csari0 said:
But if I was to go for a direct drive I would look at Denon or Micro Seiki... they come with better tonearms than the Technics... and are sonically considered to be better, I'm sure that you can get used ones for under $500 and in great condition. I know because I was about to buy a kick ass Micro Seiki with an MA 505 tonearm for $200!! the 505 is worth more than $200 alone and it would blow the Technics tonearm under any criteria!!

Like someone else said, I'm surprised to see so many people praising the sl1200, specially when they don't give an alternate brand of DDs.
Click to expand...
Do you know a place where you can simply choose whatever used turntable you want? Yes, there's ebay, but you risk receiving a pile of junk after it's shipped. You can look for a Denon or Micro on craigslist or Audiogon, but you might be looking for a year until you find something. Audiogon mostly lists high end tables. That's why people are suggesting the Technics. It may not be perfect, but it can be purchased new, parts are readily available, and they are built to last.
 
I know the 1200 isn't because I can hear the humming of the motor when I go to my friends house, and some of the sound quality from the records is muffled by the humm.
Click to expand...

My SL1200MK and '79 "MK1" are quiet as a mouse. There must be a problem with your friend's rig.
 
johnda said:
I would love to get my hands on the new SL-1200MK2, but my SL-2000 will have to go belly up first, and since I just oiled it, I think that may be a long way off. I did have an original SL-1200 and gave that to my son-in-law for his music class.
Click to expand...

You gave away the much better SL-1200, and kept the SL-2000? That was very generous of you.:thmbsp: I don't think I could ever be that nice a guy, LOL...:D
 
If moving up I'd list the features I wanted in addition to the improved sonics. Maybe you want arm lift and/or return at the end of play? Maybe you want exchangeable arm tubes (straight or S)? Maybe you want quartz locked speed and adjustments? Maybe you want wood base? How about universal headshells so you can swap cartridges easily?

Point is there are things to consider. Why not give us the list of desireable features and ergonomics and we can look into our memory and see what fits? I, myself, might want to go for a newer Thorens even though it's above your price point. Maybe waiting for a bit more $$ might make sense?
 
Jleon92f, you might consider getting a Rega RB250 or RB300 ta for your Thorens. I Have a RB250 on my TD 150 and couldn't be happier. You might find one on A'gon or Ebay for $300 or thereabouts. Just a thought.........
 
BrocLuno said:
If moving up I'd list the features I wanted in addition to the improved sonics. Maybe you want arm lift and/or return at the end of play? Maybe you want exchangeable arm tubes (straight or S)? Maybe you want quartz locked speed and adjustments? Maybe you want wood base? How about universal headshells so you can swap cartridges easily?

Point is there are things to consider. Why not give us the list of desireable features and ergonomics and we can look into our memory and see what fits? I, myself, might want to go for a newer Thorens even though it's above your price point. Maybe waiting for a bit more $$ might make sense?
Click to expand...

Hi,

New list of features: Straight arm, mechanical anti-skate instead of the line and weight,affordable cartridges w/replaceable stylus, My Denon 110 was nice until the stylus went.$110 out the window. Metal platter, 5-7 lb range.
Feet that prevent shock to record when area around tt is tapped. A suspension similar to my AR-XA, belt drive. Stylus force between 1-2 grams. auto stop at end of play is a nice feature too, but not needed if I have a nice place to put it.

thats all I can think of for now.

Thanks for ALL the help.

I really enjoy my vinyl, and would like to keep doing so.

Thanks,
John.:music:
 
csari0 said:
About the Thorens 166 MKII... I owned one, hated it, did many mods to make it sound better, it sounded great, but after all that work, I ended up hating it more so I sold it.

P.S. the TD166 MKII is a bad turntable, third to the 115, and the 105. I hope you have the tp63 wand... the TP62 is garbage... PITA to set right.

I bought a 145, moded it the same way I did the 166, I have added the TP16 III tonearm and it sounded way better (the TP16-I tonearm is the achilles for all older Thorens). A friend of mine is a DJ and he has two 1200s and I have to say that my 145 beats them... even with his none DJing cartridge on.

If you want a direct drive go for Denon I have heard they are sonically better, I know the 1200 isn't because I can hear the humming of the motor when I go to my friends house, and some of the sound quality from the records is muffled by the humm.

I just bought a lenco L75, which is an Iidler. I will be adding two tonearms, an RB300 and a Syrinx PU2... luckily for me the Syrinx fits perfectly on the Lenco no extra drilling!!!:thmbsp:

But if I was to go for a direct drive I would look at Denon or Micro Seiki... they come with better tonearms than the Technics... and are sonically considered to be better, I'm sure that you can get used ones for under $500 and in great condition. I know because I was about to buy a kick ass Micro Seiki with an MA 505 tonearm for $200!! the 505 is worth more than $200 alone and it would blow the Technics tonearm under any criteria!!

Like someone else said, I'm surprised to see so many people praising the sl1200, specially when they don't give an alternate brand of DDs.
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for your reply. I bought my Thorens new, never had a bit of trouble with it.KNOCK,KNOCK wood desk.... I have just recently replace the Cartridge to the Grado Green. Set up is not too bad, you need Patience.

I need to address the cueing, the fluid has left or something.

But other than that she's OK. One hinge broke and I fixed it, the RCA ends went ,replace with Gold ones, plays great again.

So, maybe a new Thorens will be the choice.

Thanks for your help. It is ALL about the music anyway!
John.
 
Big $$$$ units

Hi,

I did some looking, the Thorens's are way out of price range, one $3500.00 model comes with a .99 cent cork matt. The Project model has no on off switch that I can see in picture.
:scratch2:
Later,
John.:music:
 
Last edited:
jleon92f said:
Hi,

I did some looking, the Thorens's are way out of price range, one $3500.00 model comes with a .99 cent cork matt. The Project model has no on off switch that I can see in picture.
:scratch2:
Later,
John.:music:
Click to expand...

The switch is underneath the plinth, I believe under the left corner.

What was it that left you unimpressed with the Rega, Pro-Ject, MH turntables? Was it simply appearance? They look the way they do, and use certain features that they do (counter-weight on a string) because they're tried and true methods, and, more to the point, they're simple. There's much less to go wrong, and much less to interfere with the sound. It's my personal opinion that this is how turntables should be, as simple as possible - the less mechanical and automatic features the better.

Frankly, just as strongly as I recommend a Pro-Ject over the Technics, I'd recommend you try to hunt down a used Thorens that's better than what you have, like a 125 MKII. I know you want a new turntable, and I think that's a good idea, but if none of the new ones in your price range float your boat and you're very careful about whom you buy it from, a vintage Thorens would be a good choice. I really like the looks of some of those higher-end Thorens models, but they're waaaaay too expensive, and I've heard mostly less than flattering things about their new sub-$1000 turntables.
 
friend of mine has owned P3 for many years and recently purchased a P25... he says it is better than the P3.... well he even more recently bought a Yamaha PF-800 and says it destroys!!! the P25!

look for a Kenwood KD-650(I own one), a Pioneer PL-630 or similar direct drive high quality Japanese units... good performing machines! :)

IMO of course
 
Hi,

" It's my personal opinion that this is how turntables should be, as simple as possible - the less mechanical and automatic features the better. "

Like the AR-XA's

Thanks,

John.
 
YOu can occasionally find a first generation Music Hall MMF-7 used on Audiogon for $500...I think that deck is great value at that price point...split plinth with sorbothane separating them...motor separate from the plinth...got rave reviews from the Michael Fremers of the world as a deck that punches above its weight when it was first released (Stereophile Budget Component of the Year winner)...

I have read some on this forum slag Music Hall for its customer service...can't comment on that - I bought my MMF-7 used on Audiogon four years ago and have not had one single problem with it.
 
John, it seems to me that you are a pretty mechanical guy, a few plinth mods and a good arm on one of those AR’s that you have may be just the ticket, I modded my Thorens TD-145 here, it is not finished yet and it will blow a new $500 TT away.

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