Which Thorens?
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Brian
An Old Geezer
The easiest to tweak would be the 150 as it has the removable armboard system similar to the 125/126. I had a 150 and when the 160 came out sold it and bought the 160. I do not regret having the 160 and still use it however, have missed the ease of the 150 for swapping arms. I also think the build quality of the 150 is a bit better.
Have you considered a Rega? How much do the two tables sell for?
My first table was a TD125 MkII, and the Rega was a considerably better sounding table (almost as good as a friend's Linn Sondek)....never heard a TD 150 or 160, though...
flat_spin
Let's go space truckin'
Actually I already have a Planar 2.
Love it a lot but I've had it ten years and fancy moving into the mysterious realm of suspended tables. Plus it seems to be a bit pointless upgrading the arm for, say, an SME, which would cost more than the original price of the table. I was thinking a Thorens/RB250 combo. Surely either of these Thorens' would be a step up?
Brian
An Old Geezer
As you are not apparently eyeballing 2 specific units that are currently within reach, I'd suggest adding to the list the Thorens TD125 and 126 series. I have a 125 as well as the 160 and the 125s are not that expensive and in stock form are better and also respond well to upgrades. Another pair of tables to consider are the Empire 598 and 698. I have a 598 and admit each of my tables, 160, 125 and 598 each with the came cartridge mounts imparts a different sound and non sound more correct than the other but, like speakers impart a different voicing.
I for one can not live with 1 table and it is easy to see why most manufacturers put 2 phono inputs on preamps/integrateds/ receivers.
I for one can not live with 1 table and it is easy to see why most manufacturers put 2 phono inputs on preamps/integrateds/ receivers.
melofelo
Addicted Member
as you are in scotland...keep an eye out for the 'homebrewed' aristons also....rd 60, rd 80, rd 110, rd 90, rd 40, rd 11 or the later rd11s( appraisal here..http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/oldeworldehtml/aristonturntable.html
...i often see some on epray but not many sellers are willing to post ( which is good as royal mail is a nightmare )
...in my humble opinion...nearly all of the suspended aristons will give any of the mid priced suspended thorens a good run for their money...depending on how high up the thorens range you go...
between the thorens td150 and 160...also keep any eye out for the later td160s ( super ) which came with an rb250 as standard in the late 80's early 90's..
i think it was either the mk IV or mkV incarnation of this deck...
if you are considering the earlier versions of the 150 or 160...
have a peek here for a retrospective appraisal...
http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/oldeworldehtml/thorenstd150.html
also keep an eye out for the heybrook tt2 which should give all of the above stiff competition and the dunlop systemdek suspended decks are also worth a close look..
...i often see some on epray but not many sellers are willing to post ( which is good as royal mail is a nightmare )
...in my humble opinion...nearly all of the suspended aristons will give any of the mid priced suspended thorens a good run for their money...depending on how high up the thorens range you go...
between the thorens td150 and 160...also keep any eye out for the later td160s ( super ) which came with an rb250 as standard in the late 80's early 90's..
i think it was either the mk IV or mkV incarnation of this deck...
if you are considering the earlier versions of the 150 or 160...
have a peek here for a retrospective appraisal...
http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/oldeworldehtml/thorenstd150.html
also keep an eye out for the heybrook tt2 which should give all of the above stiff competition and the dunlop systemdek suspended decks are also worth a close look..
Actually I already have a Planar 2.
They might, and then they might not. You'll likely not know until you give them both a listen. I know that when I got my Planar 3, a friend and I did an A/B with his Linn-Sondek (this back in the 80's with the original LP12), and the Linn was little bit better, and by that,I mean a little ...there wasn't much in it at all.
I do know that my Planar 3 sounded markedly better than my Thorens TD 125 MkII....that wasn't even close.
If it were me, I'd keep the Rega and put the money into a better cartridge. My experience has always been that the biggest improvements come at the front of the signal source: cartridge->table->arm->preamp->amp->speakers, in that order.
