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Thorens to Technics?

P

phil1031

New Member
Hey,
So I have a Thorens TD 165 with the following mods :

- New plinth
- Rega RB202 tonearm
- tonearm board from vinyl nirvana
- dynamat treatment underneath
- new base board
- new rubber feet from vinyl nirvana
- Ortofon 2M Red (upgrading to blue soon)
- replaced faceplate

I love this turntable. I've also always wanted a 1200mk2. I guess what I am wondering is, if I got a 1200mk2 in really good condition, would that be a better table?

Thanks,

Phil
 

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phil1031 said:
Hey,
So I have a Thorens TD 165 with the following mods :

- New plinth
- Rega RB202 tonearm
- tonearm board from vinyl nirvana
- dynamat treatment underneath
- new base board
- new rubber feet from vinyl nirvana
- Ortofon 2M Red (upgrading to blue soon)
- replaced faceplate

I love this turntable. I've also always wanted a 1200mk2. I guess what I am wondering is, if I got a 1200mk2 in really good condition, would that be a better table?

Thanks,

Phil
Click to expand...
I think it's a bit like asking if a Cadillac is better than a Corvette.

They are both great tables, but they are different. I'd be happy to have either, and even happier if I had both. :)

And just as you would put different tires on the Corvette for those nice twisty roads, while you may have nice squishy tires on the Cadillac for that nice floating sensation as you cruize the freeways, each calls for different cartridges to really shiine.
 
If it’s working well for you and sounds good, I’d keep the Thorens. The only problem I had with my 160 was susceptibility to footfalls. I eventually used a TT shelf to solve that problem.

I’m sure both tables have pros and cons, but the 160/165 are well regarded and you’ve already done a fair amount of work on yours. I’ve heard the Red isn’t a great cart, so using a better cart is probably priority one.
 
I think change is what keeps this hobby interesting. Both turntables are good enough that at this point, the matter of personal preference is a big factor.

My opinion is go for the Technics. You'll never know what you're missing unless you try it, and there will always be another Thorens to buy if you really want to go back.
 
Welcome to AK. Cool looking TD-165!

"Would a 1200mk2 be a better table?" I think the answer to that depends on what you are looking for.

I am fortunate to own a SL-1210M3D and a couple of Thorens turntables. I love the Technics for ease of use, especially the ability to easily swap out cartridges. It has never given me any trouble and there is no belt to have to replace. The speed is always dead on.

That said, both of my Thorens tables get more play time. I had to perform some maintenance when I first got them, and put them on wall shelves to isolate them from floor vibrations but once I did that, they have been solid performers. Both have stock tonearms. One leans a little heavy (16.5 grams) and the other a little light (7.5 grams) and finding appropriate cartridges was a bit of a challenge but I love the Denon DL-103 and 301MKII cartridges that I now use.

If you do end up buying a SL-1200MKII, I've found that Ortofon cartridges match quite nicely with them. For several years, I used an Ortofon Concorde OM cartridge on mine. Once I caught the moving coil bug, I've been switching out between a couple of high output moving coil carts. BTW, in case you don't know, Technics has rather recently brought back several models of "1200 style" turntables.
 
phil1031 said:
I love this turntable. I've also always wanted a 1200mk2. I guess what I am wondering is, if I got a 1200mk2 in really good condition, would that be a better table?
Click to expand...

No!

Not better. Different? Yes!

The Techie will be slightly tighter & 'punchier' at midbass (though short of an idler in that regard) but the Thorens will be more detailed and nuanced. So 'better' depends on which attributes mean more to you. From personal experience, I know that no amount of advice can substitute for personal experience, so I'd suggest you get that Techie and satisfy your curiosity. After a few months using/comparing them, you may want to sell one or keep both. But at least you'll know exactly why you made your choice. Again; no advice can substitute for your own personal experience in such regards.

Enjoy the music!
 
I'd definitely keep the Thorens and then buy a SL1200 to try. To me, the Thorens is more special, but I've become sold on the spring suspension machines. Others will say the opposite, so it's a thing you have to try for yourself so you can put the question to rest in your mind. I owned a Super OEM that was everything a DD DJ-style deck should be, but in a relatively short period of time I stopped loving it. It was certainly competent, but I found myself taking it and the sound it made for granted, and I was annoyed by the pitch functions and platter light that I didn't want or use.

My Thorens machines will very likely be with me for many years to come. But, I wouldn't be as quick to say that if I had not owned a DD DJ-style deck, in addition to others, already. This is a hobby that requires trying out different things to find what works best for you.
 
Thanks again for the info. I dont have enough room for two turntables at the moment, so I will probably just be keeping the Thorens for a while. If I ever decided to sell it though, in order to get a 1200, any idea how much I could ask for it? I probably never will though. I couldn't imagine trying to ship this thing...ha.
 
phil1031 said:
Hey,
So I have a Thorens TD 165 with the following mods :

- New plinth
- Rega RB202 tonearm
- tonearm board from vinyl nirvana
- dynamat treatment underneath
- new base board
- new rubber feet from vinyl nirvana
- Ortofon 2M Red (upgrading to blue soon)
- replaced faceplate

I love this turntable. I've also always wanted a 1200mk2. I guess what I am wondering is, if I got a 1200mk2 in really good condition, would that be a better table?

Thanks,

Phil
Click to expand...

No
 
phil1031 said:
Yeah, now that I think about it, I would probably regret it if I got rid of it. It really is a good table and sounds great. I think when we get a bigger place, I will just have to get a 1200 as a second table.
Click to expand...
You will probably end up using the Technics more, but why not keep both. I have 5 turntables set up love using them all, but the Technics gets the most use. Get a damper and psu from Kab though if you get the Technics.
Chris
 
cafe latte said:
You will probably end up using the Technics more, but why not keep both. I have 5 turntables set up love using them all, but the Technics gets the most use. Get a damper and psu from Kab though if you get the Technics.
Chris
Click to expand...

Or get the Technics and put the Rega arm on it.....
 
lazycat said:
Possibly. But people like to play. lol
Click to expand...
Just my opinion, but to loose the ability to raise and lower the arm easily and loose headshell I would want a bigger step up than a Rega. I would actually be tempted to fit an arm off a G as it measures amazingly and you retain all features of original arm. G arm is 600 bucks so not cheap but not expensive for what it is either.
Chris
 
cafe latte said:
Just my opinion, but to loose the ability to raise and lower the arm easily and loose headshell I would want a bigger step up than a Rega. I would actually be tempted to fit an arm off a G as it measures amazingly and you retain all features of original arm. G arm is 600 bucks so not cheap but not expensive for what it is either.
Chris
Click to expand...

I did replace the original with a fettled RB300 and it was quite an improvement. Using a Roksan Tabriz now - much better than the Rega and good enough for me.

Never did try a damper - seemed like too much faff.(Says Mr Armswapper..)
 
lazycat said:
I did replace the original with a fettled RB300 and it was quite an improvement. Using a Roksan Tabriz now - much better than the Rega and good enough for me.

Never did try a damper - seemed like too much faff.(Says Mr Armswapper..)
Click to expand...
Damper is a big difference and a 2 minute fitting. Nothing wrong with the Rega you just loose the adjustments of the original. Anyway arm swap or damper they can sound stunning.
Chris
 
cafe latte said:
Damper is a big difference and a 2 minute fitting. Nothing wrong with the Rega you just loose the adjustments of the original. Anyway arm swap or damper they can sound stunning.
Chris
Click to expand...

Can't agree more about the sound, bit of a change after using a LP12 for 26 yrs. A change for the better.......
 
For sure, the 1200 is better when user wants to accommodate multiple cartridges. The 1200 adapts to universal SME type headshells, and changing one headshell/cart for another, the just connected headshell can be adjusted for VTA and/or azimuth very quickly.
 
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