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Recapped C33 vs Newer Preamp

For what its worth, I have a Thorens TD125 MKII with a SME3009 MKII on it and I don't actually like it as much as my Technics SL1200 Limited Edition. Its one of the black ones with the gold tone arm and platter.
It got a more linear sound and has better bass than the Thorens.
The Technics runs a Ortofon VMS20E, nothing special and its really very good....
 
I need to be careful of how I say this.......but to use a example, who else had a teacher back in say middle or high school who was a absolute PIA, but turned out to be one of your favorite teachers because they made you think, explore and therefore learn how to learn.

This was the most often experience this middle twenties someone had with Gordon Gow, Dirk Roos and DOB. My gosh it could be frustrating.......

Recently married, starting a family, please please just give this prospective customer a easy "blow it out if the water answer" so I can go ring up the sale, but no, sends me out to the client's home some evening in the future to measure his speakers response, then time tweaking his turntable, and then maybe making a sale. Sometimes it would have been so easy, but no, made us both learn something so a purchase could be a knowledgable one.....

Do I have to tell you Kev, that the thing most interesting to me about your turntable judgement is what you were hearing,that is, what is the why behind it, and not that you heard a difference.
 
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I had that teacher(s) back in the 70's and totally get it. When my kids were going through school in the 90's & early 2000's I wondered "where did they go." Not many like that anymore. Regardless, I am now on a mission to make what I have sound the best it can, as opposed to buying something new or different that may sound different. I'll be reporting back. Thx.
 
chris / kev ... it also could be that the technics is just easier to obtain excellent results with while the thorens isn't - a direct result of excellent engineering.
 
You never knew what clients would consider sounded "right".

I have had owners who were entranced by a tonearm/ cartridge that would resonant like a bell when stimulated by the records bass because it made the sound "lively" . Same thing with turntables that did not isolate the record from the bass exciting the room almost to the point if feedback.

Certain reviewers back in the day had a HUGE dedication to MC phono cartridges that had a decided excessive resonant peak in the high frequency response. They applauded the added "air" etc. etc. even though it drove many up the wall.

Since products were always changing there was some much to learn and still today even though many tools might make it easier, many of those tools can almost give you too much information.
 
damacman said:
chris / kev ... it also could be that the technics is just easier to obtain excellent results with while the thorens isn't - a direct result of excellent engineering.
Click to expand...
The Technics is a lot easier to set up, no doubt about it.
Since I am not really a big vinyl guy, something like the technics suits me better, its easier to deal with...
 
c_dk said:
Do I have to tell you Kev, that the thing most interesting to me about your turntable judgement is what you were hearing,that is, what is the why behind it, and not that you heard a difference.
Click to expand...
I would admit that the SME is likely a better tone arm, however they are very fiddly and finicky to set up, the technics is so much easier and maybe thats it.....So easy to set up the VTA on a Technics....
I could spend more time with the SME but I am just not into vinyl that much....I recently put the Thoren's in my Lab as a test turntable and the Technics in my main system...
 
When I purchased my current TD125, the seller had a number of tables for sale, including a VPI HW19 II for the same price. The VPI was probably the better table but the Thorens spoke to me like the VPI didn’t, so the Thorens came home.
 
If you ever attended a talk by Gordon Gow you just might think that it was more important to Gow how well your turntable was set up than the "sound" of his electronics.

Add that to how well your speakers were working in your room and you might get as frustrated as Skizo was and call him out in the middle of his presentation of his new amp.

This was the golden age of Mac in my opinion......basic detailed customer service.
 
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