dundurnish
New Member
Hi folks,
I was wondering about what the audiokarma community might opine about my quandary. I suddenly own two Thorens turntables:
* a TD166 mkii NOS (new old stock) that was still in the box with its components still in their original plastic, with the factory arm, and all the manuals and the external power source; I paid my turntable guy to put it together, test it, lubricate it, replace the belt and fit it with a Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge
* a TD126 mkiii electronic turntable in excellent vintage condition (not a mark on it, near pristine lid and hinges) from the original owner, fitted with upgraded RCA cables, and that came with two cartridges, both MC: the factory Thorens cart and a Denon that requires a new stylus and possibly can't be saved; the seller included a Denon HA-500 head amp to convert MC to MM on the Yamaha M-2 power amp I also bought from him
The TD166 mkii plays well and sounds great. It's a simple table but sturdy without much that can go wrong, and of course the motor is essentially brand new and should last for 30 years.
The TD126 mkiii works but definitely needs a tune-up, belt replacement, and probably a new cart. The platter, more often as not, requires a slight nudge to get going but seems to operate at proper speed thanks to the laser visual speed adjustment meter, which is cool feature. An after-market rubber mat came with it, in good shape. The TT is in lovely aesthetic condition with only one light out and no paint or finish loss or dings.
I am not handy so I will pay to have the 126 table brought up to snuff with an appropriate cart.
What do you think, audiokarma community, in terms of which will/should become my primary TT? I've read through the boards about the two tables and haven't seen the two compared and contrasted, especially with the NOS twist for the 125. I value your input, on tables and on carts. I have a feeling I might go with the 126 but I'd love to hear from you!
I was wondering about what the audiokarma community might opine about my quandary. I suddenly own two Thorens turntables:
* a TD166 mkii NOS (new old stock) that was still in the box with its components still in their original plastic, with the factory arm, and all the manuals and the external power source; I paid my turntable guy to put it together, test it, lubricate it, replace the belt and fit it with a Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge
* a TD126 mkiii electronic turntable in excellent vintage condition (not a mark on it, near pristine lid and hinges) from the original owner, fitted with upgraded RCA cables, and that came with two cartridges, both MC: the factory Thorens cart and a Denon that requires a new stylus and possibly can't be saved; the seller included a Denon HA-500 head amp to convert MC to MM on the Yamaha M-2 power amp I also bought from him
The TD166 mkii plays well and sounds great. It's a simple table but sturdy without much that can go wrong, and of course the motor is essentially brand new and should last for 30 years.
The TD126 mkiii works but definitely needs a tune-up, belt replacement, and probably a new cart. The platter, more often as not, requires a slight nudge to get going but seems to operate at proper speed thanks to the laser visual speed adjustment meter, which is cool feature. An after-market rubber mat came with it, in good shape. The TT is in lovely aesthetic condition with only one light out and no paint or finish loss or dings.
I am not handy so I will pay to have the 126 table brought up to snuff with an appropriate cart.
What do you think, audiokarma community, in terms of which will/should become my primary TT? I've read through the boards about the two tables and haven't seen the two compared and contrasted, especially with the NOS twist for the 125. I value your input, on tables and on carts. I have a feeling I might go with the 126 but I'd love to hear from you!
