popbumper Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I guess it needs to happen - I have a small but "cherished" vinyl collection (read, "mostly scratched but I'd sure like to hear them again) that has been sitting unloved since, well, about 1985. I have a Dual 506 belt drive table with a Grado FTE cartridge, but the table no longer keeps speed, and I really don't want to fart around with fixing it (I could, but why)? Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced used rig, or is it even worth investigating a new TT? I do not want to spend big $$, I never did - I'm not exactly a "vinylphile", but I would love to resurrect some old favorites. Thanks! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Chris, For about $100 you can find a nice Thorens TD165 or similiar model with the stock arm. Add a Shure M97E for about $60 and you have a really nice, musical sounding vinyl setup. They are a little bouncy so make sure you have a good sturdy place that doesn't giggle too much. I had this setup with a Shure V15 and it sounded better than the Music Hall MMF5 I had in the same room and way better than my old 1976 Technics with lots of different carts (I thought it was the cart that sounded thin and lifeless....duh!). Sure, there are better setups but for under $200, it's a great option IMO. I'm sure others will chime in with their inexpensive favorites but that's my two cents. Good luck! - Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Not to be contra to Gary's opinion (he's way more experienced than I) but I'm still having trouble with the Thorens 125 I purchased some time ago. I'd go any other route if I had it to do over. Plasticy gimball and very loose suspension. My Technics SL1700 direct drive does a better job of it, at least the tonearm doesn't destroy my vinyl by dancing all over the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I think my Technics SL-1300 with the Shure V15 Type III cart sounds nice as well...bought off od HDRBuilder's recomendation... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Roland Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 I have two Thorens TD 125s, a Mark I and a Mark II. Both have SME 3009 II tonearms, cost about $400.00 used and are excellent tables--built like a tank. I have been very satisfied with them. I also had a TD 160 with the stock Thorens arm--very nice table. I think the AR turntable with the Sumiko tonearm is also very good. I use a Shure V15VmxMR cartridge which to my ear is very neutral, tracks very well and is highly detailed. Good luck with your search for vinyl heaven! George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 You might want to look at a Pro-Ject Turntable in Basic Black for under $300, (new). Decent cart included. I had one and found it to be an excellent value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 or the new Rega P1 WopOnTour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 Not to be contra to Gary's opinion (he's way more experienced than I) but I'm still having trouble with the Thorens 125 I purchased some time ago. I'd go any other route if I had it to do over. Plasticy gimball and very loose suspension. My Technics SL1700 direct drive does a better job of it, at least the tonearm doesn't destroy my vinyl by dancing all over the place. Michael, Did you get my email about me not getting your email? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popbumper Posted September 29, 2007 Author Share Posted September 29, 2007 Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses! Now on to the homework.... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 Chris check your email. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 Not to be contra to Gary's opinion (he's way more experienced than I) but I'm still having trouble with the Thorens 125 I purchased some time ago. I'd go any other route if I had it to do over. Plasticy gimball and very loose suspension. My Technics SL1700 direct drive does a better job of it, at least the tonearm doesn't destroy my vinyl by dancing all over the place. Michael, Did you get my email about me not getting your email? Yes Scott, but I'd typed it in Forum so couldn't resend. Check 'House of Klipsch 2 ch' for my new setup. I'm moving rooms and cabinets in hopes of getting the Thorens up and running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 I'm really liking the Technics SL-1400 MK2 with Shure M97xE. Not expensive and non-tweaky. It's probably the combo of deck and cart, but even scratchy records are relatively listenable, and good records sound really quiet, with lots of detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuned4life Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 I like my technics sl 1600 MKII as good as any table I have ever owned. Its not as pretty as some but it sure is funtional and built like a tank. I like not having to lift the dust cover to access the touch buttons. I really like the quartz lock speed and strobe. green LCD light when its dead on, red if its to fast or to slow.but the thing I like most about it is the touch button start/stop and the touch button cueing. No more broken vn35e stylus's. I havn't had a stylus mishap since I have been using the sl1600 MKII's. I have the shure m97e for albums that are less than perfect. the shure V15 type III with vn35he stylus for nice albums. I have had the thorens TD124, TD160, and TD165. the Dual 1229, 1229Q, and cs7000. Marantz 6300's. I admit my hearing isnt the greatest but my used 200.00 technics sl1600 MKII sound as good if not better than any of the rest of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 pop, Dumb question, but I must ask, Have you ever put on a new belt ????? I'm sure you have................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Well it takes some practice to keep her at a constant speed, 33 is a much easier then a 45 and well your arm will fall off if you have any 78s. Its like churning butter, while her name is Susan, no way she is lazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Top notch Bart !!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 A few tidbits Pop! http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1196002259 http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1195853365 If you want to splurge a little:-0 http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1194363813 http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1194037190 http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1193838719 http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1196036523 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 The recommendations for the Technics are good. I have had a number of various Thorens in the last century..., and all of them eventually had problems of one sort or another. I finally sold them all and bought a Technics SL-1200-MK2 (built like a tank, weighs the same as a tank, direct drive, no vibration problems, etc.) put a M-97Xe on it and it has worked perfectly for the last 7 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonbart Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 I actually brought a tank built like a well put together turn table. Drives well 7 forward gears, runs over all sorts of stuff with ease. Strange thing is it came with a CD player in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 I love the "tonearm" hanging off that "platter". I'll bet the "needle and cartridge" are something else to consider in it's performance....[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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