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Thorens TD 166 MK ii or Rega Planar 2 (Green Label)

Alfmonster

Alfmonster

Active Member
Hi everyone! I know this is a topic that has been posted about many times but I’m trying to weigh my options between a Thorens TD mk ii or a Rega Planar 2 (Green Label). Would the thorens have the greater ability to upgrade to eventually as good as some of higher end TT?
 
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Hi tnsilver! That is great advice and kind of what I had been leaning towards. I have never had any experience with a Thorens before (other than from internet research and drooling over restored ones from Vinyl Nirvana) but it seems like it’s one of those machines that can never permanently break bc it’s always upgradable/fixable.

Have you heard an Ortofon om-20 cartridge with a stock arm? Or do you have any recommendations for good cartridges for the TD166 mk ii stock arm?

Haha Alf has begun to resemble Alf!
 
I've used an Ortofon OM-20 and the OM-30 on the 7.5g tonearm on my TD-147. Both tracked well and sounded good. I have to say that I like my Denon DL-301MkII much better though. But being a low output moving coil cartridge, it requires a bit more from the phono stage. I'm currently using a step up transformer + a Budgie phono amp.

I've found that Grado Prestige cartridges can also sound quite nice on this tonearm. I bought an extra arm wand and go back and forth between a Grado Gold 1 and the Denon. The Grado may have a slight edge over the Denon on voices but the Denon beats it handily on detail.

The Ortofon OM was my go to cart for several years. I view the 20 and 30 to be "jack of all trades" cartridges that do everything at least pretty well (I've never heard the 40). On my TD-147, I'd put the 301MKII firmly in 1st place with the Grado second (based on it's good midrange) and the Ortofons third. If I listened to mostly rock, I'd move the Ortofons to second place. To my ears, OM does electric guitar better than Grado Prestige 1 carts (there is a newer Prestige 2 out now that gets good reviews). Of course, your mileage may vary.

BTW, welcome to AK!
 
ranch 22b said:
I've used an Ortofon OM-20 and the OM-30 on the 7.5g tonearm on my TD-147. Both tracked well and sounded good. I have to say that I like my Denon DL-301MkII much better though. But being a low output moving coil cartridge, it requires a bit more from the phono stage. I'm currently using a step up transformer + a Budgie phono amp.

I've found that Grado Prestige cartridges can also sound quite nice on this tonearm. I bought an extra arm wand and go back and forth between a Grado Gold 1 and the Denon. The Grado may have a slight edge over the Denon on voices but the Denon beats it handily on detail.

The Ortofon OM was my go to cart for several years. I view the 20 and 30 to be "jack of all trades" cartridges that do everything at least pretty well (I've never heard the 40). On my TD-147, I'd put the 301MKII firmly in 1st place with the Grado second (based on it's good midrange) and the Ortofons third. If I listened to mostly rock, I'd move the Ortofons to second place. To my ears, OM does electric guitar better than Grado Prestige 1 carts (there is a newer Prestige 2 out now that gets good reviews). Of course, your mileage may vary.

BTW, welcome to AK!
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Wow thank you so much for all of that info! I’ve been looking up the cartridges recommendations from you and @tnsilver all afternoon.


I listen mostly to Jazz. The turntable that I have been using is a beogram rx2 with an mmc5 cart. It wasn’t mind blowing other than that but it helped me get into vinyl. Now, one year later, I can’t seem to get enough. I’m hoping it works out and I can finally upgrade.


The cart that will be coming with the Thorens TD 166 mk ii (if this all works out) is the AT140LC. I’ve tried doing some research into it but the reviews seems to be mixed and because I’m not sure when I’ll be able to upgrade to a new cartridge, I’m just hoping this will be better than the RX2/mmc5 for now.


Thank you for the welcome and again for the help!!
 
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