Thoren's Vs Technics

[HypnoToad]

I have a couple of Technics tables.

SL1200 Mk2 & SL1700

They sound great but with all the hype about Thoren's does anyone have both turntables or has compared the two types directly.

I am talking about sound quality only.

I have been looking at a TD 147 and a TD 160, you can never have too many turntables as we all know, but without hearing them I am not sure.

What are the major differences in sound between the Technics and Thoren's.

 

[thedelihaus]

Some claim a more "soulful" sound to the Thorens.

I like the thorens, and they sound engaging.

The technics are considered a more immediate sounding deck. And I'll argue more accurate- at least with speed.

I also feel build quality is better on the technics.

The thorens can be hard to find parts for, and are more susceptible to foot-fall vibration.

However, if you got the room, to own a Thorens is to own a great table, a real classic, and will only appreciate in value.

 

[anytune]

Your Techs are excellent tables. There may be a slight measurable difference in performance compared with a Thorens, but I doubt you could hear the difference. It might be wiser spending your money on a new cartridge/stylus, than a new table.

 

[npg3]

Solid points...and thanks for the thread. I was thinking of doing the same with my 1600MKII...I am hanging onto it now.

 

[goldwax]

I have a Thorens TD 160 and I love it. At some point I'd like to get a good DD TT along the lines of a Technics (or possibly a vintage '70s one by a different Japanese company).

But if I only had a DD, I'd probably be in the market for a Thorens. Why not, right?

 

[ranch 22b]

Great question. I hope someone will chime in who has both Thorens and Technics. All the buzz about the 1210M5G has me very curious.

The comment about Thorens and footfall vibration is valid. My first Thorens, the TD-150MK2, about drove me crazy until I wised up and put it on a shelf mounted to the wall (I have pier and beam floors).

 

[jn229]

I owned a well tweeked Thorens 145, and at the time compared it to a Technics 1200. Both had V15 Shures mounted. Preferred the Thorens: But, the difference is very slight and personal. The difference is not worth the cost, diffinitly a side step.

 

[Balifly]

A Thoren TD 160 with Thoren arm and Shure M95ED cartridge was available a few weeks earlier. Instead a Pioneer PL-550 was chosen, because I did not feel my present set up is up to the task.
Some other AK member has taken up the challenge :thmbsp:
A Luxman amp, Boston Acoustic speakers, Denon DL-160 cartridge will be good companions for a Thoren TD 160 turntable

 

[Sid Hartha]

I have one of each.

stock Thorens TD-160C, Stanton 680 "Hi Fi" cartridge with EEE-S stylus.

Technics SP-15 3-speed turntable in stock plinth, Audio-Technica AT-1010DTS tonearm, Stanton 681 cartridge with EEE-S stylus.

The Thorens is by far the quieter table. The Technics is more precise, and has a better arm. It's a draw...

 

[Bluespower]

I'm looking to answer the same question you are except that I'm coming from the opposite direction. I just bought an SL-1700 Mk2 off the Bay for cheap but have not received it yet. I held out for the Mk2 because I wanted the VTA adjustment and I liked the idea of the secondary suspension. My hopes are to buy the pieces I need to add the manual cueing control (effectively changing it into an SL-1800 Mk2). The front panel cueing and arm return had already been disabled by the previous owner.

I love both of my Thorens (TD-160 & TD-145 Mk II) but I keep reading how well the 1200 - 1800 series are respected. Well now I'm going to get a chance to find out for myself. If the table makes a good impression, I could very easily see myself making some of the 2nd tier mods that seem so popular.

I'll be interested to hear your findings and I'll be happy to share mine once I get the beast and have it set-up...

 

[gip111]

In the late 70's I owned both Technics sl-1200 and a Thorens 166 mkII and there was a difference, perhaps the lighter arm versus the more massive Technics arm? Both sounded good and the SL-1200 felt like a more solid build but I preferred the sound of the Thorens and sold the Technics. In my opinion the Thorens sounded more detailed using the same cartridge.

 

[junkaudio]

my thorens td320 mkII and td126mkII (now sold :tears sound better to my ears with a ortofon mc10 than my technics sl 1210 mkII and even sl-1000 (sp10 based) .builquality on technics is better but a good thorens even with stock arm can win :yes:

 

[yamahammer]

I have both a TD166mkII and a Technics sl 1200mkII I agree the Thorens sounds better to my ear with the Stanton 681eee carts i guess you could desribe the technics as more sterile sounding then the thorens

 

[Marantz 500]

I have a Thorens TD166 MkII and a Thorens TD320 as well as a Technics SL1210 MkII. Especially the TD320 has a very engaging sound, some might perhaps call it "musical". I really like the Technics as well, but i have to say the TD320 actually sounds a bit better to me using the same Ortofon OM30 cartridge. The TD320 beats the TD166 though, and I would probably pick the Technics over the TD166. I think I will keep both the SL1210 and the TD320 forever, they're both very good. A TD160 or TD520 with an SME tonearm might be clearly better than the Technics, but I feel the TD320 and the SL1210 are at the same quality level. The TD320 was slightly more expensive than the SL1210 when new. The current line of Thorens turntables seem overpriced and make the SL1200 look like extremely good value.

 

[SLM3Tech]

I have a Thorens TD166 MkII and a Thorens TD320 as well as a Technics SL1210 MkII. Especially the TD320 has a very engaging sound, some might perhaps call it "musical". I really like the Technics as well, but i have to say the TD320 actually sounds a bit better to me using the same Ortofon OM30 cartridge. The TD320 beats the TD166 though, and I would probably pick the Technics over the TD166. I think I will keep both the SL1210 and the TD320 forever, they're both very good. A TD160 or TD520 with an SME tonearm might be clearly better than the Technics, but I feel the TD320 and the SL1210 are at the same quality level. The TD320 was slightly more expensive than the SL1210 when new. The current line of Thorens turntables seem overpriced and make the SL1200 look like extremely good value.

Of course, once you add an SME arm to the TD160, you'd have to add one to the Technics (armboards are available) as well to make it a fair comparison. Honestly, from what I've read, I think I would really enjoy a Thorens. It seems like they pay more attention to speed correctness than the other entry level audiophile units and have for decades. The TD 550 is just !gorgeous! IMHO, not entry level, of course. But, considering price and the fact that I have two 1200MK2's... ...I just don't feel the need for another table. There are a number of Thorens table I would hastily snatch from the hands of the one gifting it to me: TD 124, TD 550, TD 350, !!!!Prestige!!!! That thing is crazy!

 

[Deczor]

I'd have to agree with the sentiment in most of these posts. Thorens, like most english gear, is bent towards a more warm sound. It's a combination of the arms, heavy platter and plinths. The British seem to want to go for the least fatiguing sound they can whereas japanese seem to go for dead accurate.

It all depends on what you like, and if you are in a position to compare both then you'll see what we mean. If you buy a thorens and don't like it you can probably sell it again for what you paid, so it's a no loss situation really.

Personally, I reckon my SL-120 with the SME 3009 is about the best turntable I'll need. Would love to have a Garrard again, but they are so high maintenance it's just not worth the effort.

Actually, that's another point. Your Technics decks will go forever whereas a Thorens does need maintenance over time. They aren't as bad as some though.

As usual, you are the best judge of what is a good pice of kit.

 

[scootchu]

I have both. If I had to use a general set of terms. Thorens = Less forgiving, but unbelievable when dialed in. Technics SL-1200 = Easy to set up, but less tweekable.

The sound of each with the right cart is impressive. I enjoy both. Style points go to the Thorens.

 

[bangsezmax]

I'd have to agree with the sentiment in most of these posts. Thorens, like most english gear, is bent towards a more warm sound. It's a combination of the arms, heavy platter and plinths. The British seem to want to go for the least fatiguing sound they can whereas japanese seem to go for dead accurate.

Not to quibble, but the Thorens' are from Switzerland. That said, some claim that the TD-150 "stole" the suspension idea from Linn, and most Thorens tables that came after that were variations on the theme.

I own/have owned several Thorens and several Technics. I like the Technics for "everyday" listening. I like the Thorens for "now we're really going to listen to some music" listening. I think you ultimately have to give the nod to a well-tuned Thorens in terms of sonics. But they're both worthwhile tables.

 

[merrylander]

Solid points...and thanks for the thread. I was thinking of doing the same with my 1600MKII...I am hanging onto it now.

The only reason I sold my SL1600 Mk2 was because I had the Yamaha PX-3 and PX-2 and it seemed a shame to have such an excellent table gathering dust.

 

[Deczor]

Swiss? Crimeny! How could I not know that? I guess i looked at the design and the name and just thought "english".

Thanks for corecting that.