Thorens TD 240-2 VRS. RD-148-A.....

[Irv]

Hi Group,
I've been looking into 3 speed fully automatic (Oh No!) TT's and am intrigued two Thorens TT's and was wondering if anyone had any info or comments on these two units.

Thorens 240-2 listed for $1,100 (but I did see three for $799).
Vrs.
Thorens 148-A listed for $2,000 (OUCH)!

I did all of the reading about all of the pros & cons with an Automatic TT, but you know, I really like the convenience.

What are the differences between these two?

Thanks!
Irv in Maine

 

[Audiofreak71]

Welcome to AK. I’ve owned the 240-2 and was not impressed at all , for the money you can do much much better. I’ve been through many new tables and was disappointed in all of them . Now that’s not to say a new table is not good , that is far from the truth but what I will say is the money I spent on the new tables could and did get me an outstanding refurbished vintage table.

I have a Thorens TD-125 with an SME 3009 arm fully refurbished and custom plinth and it is an exceptional table . I also have a fully refurbished custom ARXA and it is another exceptional sounding table. I know you are looking for an automatic table and you can find one of those as well and a very good one for the money you’re looking at spending.

Here are mine


Audiofreak71

 

[Irv]

Hi Audiofreak71,
Thank You for your informative reply!
You say that I CAN find a very good Automatic turntable at the price point that I am looking at...
Could you give me some names & models to check out?
(Am I 'ignorant' in looking at/for Automatic TT's)?
- I've read of the pros/cons with an automatic TT.
I figure that if I am willing to spend $800 -$1,000 -$2000(For the TD 148-A---well, maybe) THAT dollar amount surely should buy a very good TT, albeit not a true 'Audiophile TT'. [At the same price level] !!!
- God help me if all the Purists chime in.

What's your opinion?

Thank You!
Irv in Maine

 

[Audiofreak71]

Hi Audiofreak71,
Thank You for your informative reply!
You say that I CAN find a very good Automatic turntable at the price point that I am looking at...
Could you give me some names & models to check out?
(Am I 'ignorant' in looking at/for Automatic TT's)?
- I've read of the pros/cons with an automatic TT.
I figure that if I am willing to spend $800 -$1,000 -$2000(For the TD 148-A---well, maybe) THAT dollar amount surely should buy a very good TT, albeit not a true 'Audiophile TT'. [At the same price level] !!!
- God help me if all the Purists chime in.

What's your opinion?

Thank You!
Irv in Maine

Nothing wrong with an automatic table imo , but if you don’t mind a manual table you might have a bit ore flexibility down the line with being able to change tonearms etc . As far as good automatic tables that are imo so called audiophile tables look at the Denon tables like the Denon DP-62 , the automatic JVC victor tables are good as well. But if you don’t mind a manual table then skies the limit.

Audiofreak71

 

[stratokaster]

If you look at the TD-148 closely, you'd see a lot of its parts are very similar to Dual 4xx models which were literally the lowest end Dual turntables when they were first introduced, and Dual was (and still is) not a high end brand either. I'm very skeptical that the TD-148 is as good as its price implies.

 

[Irv]

If you look at the TD-148 closely, you'd see a lot of its parts are very similar to Dual 4xx models which were literally the lowest end Dual turntables when they were first introduced, and Dual was (and still is) not a high end brand either. I'm very skeptical that the TD-148 is as good as its price implies.

Hi stratokaster, Yes I read that the some Dual units had basically the same parts.
I see your point about its price and value.
-Thanks.
Irv.

 

[jrtrent]

I understand the appeal of an automatic player, and I considered the now discontinued TD 190-2. However, I was not able to find a place to audition it and was unwilling to part with the cash under those circumstances.

You've probably seen whatever reviews are available, but this excerpt from a TD 240-2 review makes sense to me:

"As for sound quality? This is not an audiophile turntable in sound terms. It struggles to compete with a Rega Planar 1 sonically, and it’s a little lively in the mid-range for some ears. For a lifestyle turntable though, it provides the biggest and meatiest bass this side of a direct drive. Playing a slice of Ian Dury confirmed that, while a Barbra Streisand LP playback emphasised how the Thorens can successfully dig deep into the mix to lift even subtle and shy orchestral effects towards the ear. . . it remains an easy to use, and well built, design, offering a strong sonic signature that will please many vinyl fans." https://thevinylfactory.com/features/turntable-review-thorens-td-240-2/

That review also mentions the tie-in to Dual, saying it appears to borrow from both the 455-1 and 505-4. Interestingly, the specs Thorens gives for the 190-2, 240-2, and 148A are identical with respect to rumble and wow and flutter.

Even if the TD 240-2 struggles to compete with the $475 Planar 1 doesn't mean you won't like what you hear. In addition to Paul Rigby's comments above, I enjoyed a quote from a poster at Vinyl Engine who wrote, "The thing with the Thorens/Dual automatic turntables, is their musicality. They are not the most detailed around, they may not give the deepest insights into the records nor broadest or sharpest sonical image or perfect speed stability and lowest distorsion and resonances. But, they plays music with a heart . . ." http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=56976

 

[KentTeffeteller]

If you look at the TD-148 closely, you'd see a lot of its parts are very similar to Dual 4xx models which were literally the lowest end Dual turntables when they were first introduced, and Dual was (and still is) not a high end brand either. I'm very skeptical that the TD-148 is as good as its price implies.

These late Dual based or Dual/Fehrenbacher Thorens rebadges are not up to full Thorens build quality or performance. And also are very overpriced for their level of performance when new. I'd look for a nice Technics SL-1600 for a upper crust automatic turntable which performs nice, is lower maintenance, and reliable over many years. If you want a Dual, go back in time, find a nice 1019, 1218, 1219, or 1229 and get it rebuilt by a good Dual technician and enjoy Dual at their best.

 

[lini]

Irv: The TD240-2 basically is a somewhat modified CS455-1M. I've got one of the latter myself, and upgraded with a better cartridge as well as an original Dual lead-ring platter and rubber mat it's quite a nice turntable. However, when I bought my exemplar ca. 15 years ago, it was available for not quite 250 Euro (least expensive, matte black variant). So that was an attractive price for that thing, and I don't regret my puchase. Whereas for 1100 or even just 800 bucks I wouldn't recommend it, 'cause for that much money you can easily get a nicer, used full-auto model and one or even two (or three, in case of the US$ 1100) pretty good, new cartridges.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Can't really comment on the TD148A, but to me it would appear to be a rather oddish mix of classic Dual and newer parts, intended to resemble the looks of a classic Thorens TD145/146/147, but not really looking as classy.