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Thinning my Turntable Herd.....Opinions Please?

Brad Muller

Brad Muller

Super Member
I'm in the process of parting with some turntables. I'm going to keep one, but I want some advise. I'll just let you know what's in the stable. 1. A Thorens TD 160 that was just serviced. 2. Pioneer PL-L1000. 3. Sony PS-X7. 4. Pioneer PL-41. 5. Thorens TD-124. 6. Rega Planer 3. I think that's it.:dunno:
 
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First off, I have some serious envy of your collection of tables. I have no seat time with any of those, but they are all pretty sought after tables (I'm guessing the Pioneers are awesome, I haven't heard much about the PL-L1000). If I needed cash I would likely part with the most valuable first, and work my way down. If I needed space, I would part with the easiest ones to replace. If I came to my senses I would likely hoard them all. The only one I would consider selling would be the Rega. Good luck sorting it out. You have me and quite a few others licking their chops waiting for the post in Bardertown. :biggrin:

Onebean
 
Have you done an A-B comparison of the herd? This is a hard question to answer...It's really personal preference...and only your ears can decide...Depends your taste... at first glance of your list, I would say the Thorens td-124... It's the most well respected table of the bunch...however, I have never heard the others. Me personally, I'm looking for detail and sonic bliss, and accuracy, some say that's not possible with a TD-124, some say yes. I would say, do an A-B test and eliminate the candidates using your ears...what sounds best to you is the winner...my humble opinion...

1. Thorens TD 160
2. Pioneer PL-L1000
3. Sony PS-X7
4. Pioneer PL-41
5. Thorens TD-124
6. Rega Planer 3
 
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Onebean said:
First off, I have some serious envy of your collection of tables. I have no seat time with any of those, but they are all pretty sought after tables (I'm guessing the Pioneers are awesome, I haven't heard much about the PL-L1000). If I needed cash I would likely part with the most valuable first, and work my way down. If I needed space, I would part with the easiest ones to replace. If I came to my senses I would likely hoard them all...

Onebean
Click to expand...

I like your advice! I have the TD-160 and the PL-L1000, and both of them are in the sidelines right now. I'm enjoying a Yamaha PX-3, a Sony PS-X600, and a B&O 4002 right now! But if I were to sell one of the two on the sidelines, it would likely be the PL-L1000. I absolutely love the jog shuttle, but I never loved its looks! And for me, that is a factor. We each have different perspectives on what we like. I find there are still a few turntables I've sold whose sounds haunt me. The AR-XA is one. Also, a Sansui SR-222, believe it or not! I think it was because of the combination of the table/arm, and the adc xlm cartridge. But I also like convenience, and automatics win for me.

jamiecantar said:
Have you done an A-B comparison of the heard? This is a hard question to answer...It's really personal preference...and only your ears can decide...Depends your taste... at first glance of your list, I would say the Thorens td-124... It's the most well respected table of the bunch...however, I have never heard the others. Me personally, I'm looking for detail and sonic bliss, and accuracy, some say that's not possible with a TD-124, some say yes. I would say, do an A-B test and eliminate the candidates using your ears...what sounds best to you is the winner...my humble opinion...

1. Thorens TD 160
2. Pioneer PL-L1000
3. Sony PS-X7
4. Pioneer PL-41
5. Thorens TD-124
6. Rega Planer 3
Click to expand...

I don't know which I would keep, but I've read extremely good things about the ps-x7! How do you like it?

I think another aspect we Should consider is the synergy between the table and the cartridge-stylus combination. To me it near impossible to match different tables. And comparing like cartridge on one table with one on another still not correct as the tables and cartridges could be poorly matched.

My suggestion is to set up two tables side by side and take note of which one you prefer playing. It will be a slow process, but trust me, you don't want to be haunted by the ghost turntables of seasons past! :rflmao:

In the end, it is such a subjective choice. I couldn't narrow down my own choices to just three! I like certain things about each of them. And then there is the Td-160! I was considering selling it, but quickly decided not to. I'm going to keep it on the sidelines. For now...
 
All are very desirable but I would choose whichever Thorens is in better shape, preferably the TD-124, although there is much benefit to the utter simplicity of the TD-160.

Final answer: keep the one (or two) that you like the best.
 
I've been dealing with the same process. It's not easy to make the first call but once they're going the freedom of space they take up - physically and mentally - is great. Also cash or trade or whatever in return is good. Good luck.
 
keep one of the Thorens and one of the Pioneers, and whichever Sony or Rega that is auto-return.
if you sell them without cartridges, then buy enough headshells to mount all of them and
use the proceeds to buy a "better" cart, if there's an MC with your name on it
then also buy a pre-preamp or headamp or SUT.

and keep collecting LPs, play them on the table with the "lesser" carts

and enjoy the music
 
If the the TD-124 has been properly serviced and re-plinthed, and mated with a quality arm, the answer should be obvious.

If not - and you're not willing to invest in it - move it along.
 
jamiecantar said:
Me personally, I'm looking for detail and sonic bliss, and accuracy, some say that's not possible with a TD-124, some say yes.
Click to expand...

Of course it is possible. It's totally dependent however on the table's level of servicing, the suitability of the plinth, and the quality of the arm and cartridge. A TD-124 can be a world-class performer.
 
beatcomber said:
Of course it is possible. It's totally dependent however on the table's level of servicing, the suitability of the plinth, and the quality of the arm and cartridge. A TD-124 can be a world-class performer.
Click to expand...

Agreed BC, would you say in order to compete with the recently serviced OP's TD-160 the 124 will have to be up to at least original spec? And also depends what arms and carts are on the 124 and 160?

I just got my 124 mrk 1 and I am in the process of cleaning, oiling and looking for a suitable plinth design, 2 arms and cart combo for mine. I'm still researching but, thinking maybe a solid core 4-6" height plinth. I've also read the open lossy plinth can be nice too...an SME 3009 II improved, detachable headshell with Shure V15 cart for the 1 arm and don't know yet what to use for the other...

Brad Muller, I'd be interested in your A-B results if you do one...
 
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The 124 is the one I would keep. Fine table that is easy to service, and when in proper fettle it is competitive with most $3 to $5K modern tables. Some say even better. That would be my choice, and there is no close second. I would sell all the other tables and invest the money into higher grade arm,cartridge,plinth, and phono stage...if any of those areas can use an improvement.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Brad Muller said:
I'm in the process of parting with some turntables. I'm going to keep one, but I want some advise. I'll just let you know what's in the stable. 1. A Thorens TD 160 that was just serviced. 2. Pioneer PL-L1000. 3. Sony PS-X7. 4. Pioneer PL-41. 5. Thorens TD-124. 6. Rega Planer 3. I think that's it.:dunno:
Click to expand...

Here is a quote from a guy selling a TD-124 on Ebay if this helps at all - Thorens TD 124 and Ortofon RMG 212 tonearm !!! "It had a more solid sound than my Linn LP 12. I built a switching box so I could test turntables head to head and in multiple listening parties audiophiles preferred the TD 124 over the Linn 3 to 1."
 
jamiecantar said:
Agreed BC, would you say in order to compete with the recently serviced OP's TD-160 the 124 will have to be up to at least original spec? And also depends what arms and carts are on the 124 and 160?
Click to expand...

Much depends on how degraded the condition of the TD-124 is.

But the real question is: how does a TD-160 fare compared to a TD-124? I must admit, I have never spent time with a TD-160, but I do own an AR-TX (early XA), which has a similar design. The AR has more of an airy presentation, with extremely quiet backgrounds, and the Thorens has more body and thrust. (Marc Morin has done a bunch of work on my AR, addressing some of its inherent design shortcomings, and it can now go toe to toe with the TD-124.)
 
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