Recommendations - Thorens, Rega, Pro-Ject?

[Whitehall]

Time to upgrade my TT - a vintage automatic Sansui with plastic base. Paid $75. It's reasonable sounding but I know there are lots better out there. I've a new "Black Pearl" cartridge that's good to keep for now - paid $100 for it!

I'm cheap. Thinking a used Thorens 150/160, a new red Pro-Ject, maybe a used Rega (probably more than I want to spend.)

Anyone with suggestions or advice? Maybe I can spent $300 or so, I like automatic since two martinis cuts into that eye/hand coordination.

[jcmjrt]

I'd probably go with the Thorens in that price range. Of course, I haven't heard the project....but it just doesn't look right to me. I prefer classic TT style.

[whell]

For $300, you ought to be able to reel in a Thorens 124 with an upgraded arm and cartridge. Can't go wrong with one of those!

[scott0527]

For $300, you ought to be able to reel in a Thorens 124 with an upgraded arm and cartridge. Can't go wrong with one of those!

124's are going to be about $450 and up with out an arm. Plus they can be kind of noisy if they aren't tuned up. Spectacular table though when operating up to snuff.

Back to the orignal post. If you like automatic, none of the tables you mentioned are automatic. Maybe you should look for a nice Dual 1229. Or a Thorens TD145 at least has automatic shut off. With any of the older tables it is possible you'll have to do some "re-work" to get them back in shape. Simple mechanical stuff usually.

[Mark W.]

I have a Pro-Ject 1.2 and love it. Your Black Peral should work very nice with it or the newer Pro-Ject tables.

I bought mine for $100.00 used

[VinylHanger]

TD-145 would be a winner. 2 martini's can also have a sleeping effect, auto shut-off helps in this regard. As for sound, it is very nice. Definetly a step up from plastic fantastic Sansui stuff. The HK decks are also very nice. One of my favorite decks was a TC-35, the bottom end deck, but very musical. I have been wanting one of the 65's for years. As soon as one falls in my lap. They too are auto shut-off. As for full auto's, I don't think I have had any of those. Though I could be wrong, I am having the 2 beer syndrome tonight. :beer: :beer: :D

[melofelo]

buying used...i'd go for a deck with either the best arm for a fixed plinth design or with a suspended design like the thorens...that way when the upgrade bug bites again...its either an arm swap or a base swap...
or with a bit of patience maybe find a suspended deck that has something like an rb250 or linn basik arm as standard...
stick any of your decent lower priced elliptical MM budget cartridges on to get started...stick a nad pp1/pp2 or equivalent phono stage and tweak the life out of the whole package before spending more...
the usual suspects apply depending on availability...rega p2 / p3..the later thorens td 160's etc..and other yank/jap/brit brands...
also look out for 'sleeper' package decks still under the price radar...still a few bargains to be had for a few obscure models

if you want sheer out an out performance on a tight budget...i'd forget the 'bells and whistles' approach and go for the decks designed with sound instead of cosmetics in mind...and simplicity of maintenance

[mhardy6647]

I am not impressed, based only on appearance, with the entry-level, new production Thorens offerings. Everything under $1k either looks chintzy overall or looks to have a pretty crude tonearm. The better new production Thorens tt's look promising, but they're not inexpensive.

I wonder if the Goldring tt's, ostensibly low-priced Rega clones, are any good? The price is certainly right.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=MHGR1.2&product_name=Goldring%20GR-1.2%20Turntable

http://www.audioadvisor.com/images/products/MHGR1.2_000.JPG

I am quite entrigued by the new "Marantz" tt (essentially a rebadged Clearaudio Emotion) which looks like reasonable bang for the buck.

http://www.musicdirect.com/images/MARANTZ/AMARATT15S1_LG.jpg

[melofelo]

the goldring deck looks like a p2 clone...i think akai and/or nad also cloned the p2 a while back too...
it probably is the same in terms of performance...but personally i'd want a glass platter instead of MDF on the clones...
that marantz looks sweet ! :thmbsp:

[mhardy6647]

Yeah, something about a platter made of MDF just seems a little... wrong.

[Whitehall]

Auto-off is probably the most valuable automatic feature because one can be called away while the record is spinning without worry. However, I'd not sacrifice sound for it. Always loved the vintage Thorens styling.

I agree that I would never buy an MDF platter! Glass seems such a better choice although zinc or whatnot would be OK too. Iron is not OK I understand.

Thirty years ago I had an AR TT. Sounded great but always looked a bit "Tonka Toy".

How important is having 45 rpm? There are a more than a few audiophile pressings at that speed and in theory they should sound sweet.

[theodoric]

Drive over to The Analog Room (Fruitdale at Meridian, behind the Fish'n'Chips - no sign), and poke around.

[melofelo]

feel free to pm if you need reviews on the p2 or p3 before making a final choice...i have some balanced reviews from the mid 80's brit mags lying around somewhere...including a few shootouts
although unfamiliar to me the moonbeam looks good according to this review too..so might be a hard call
http://202.186.86.35/audio/story.asp?file=/2004/12/23/audiofile/23sota

[mhardy6647]

aaah, the Analog Room. Haven't been there for over a decade. Their analog gear runs towards the... expensive.

[Whitehall]

The Analog Room Boys Club members turn up their noses at anything less than a Rega P3.

I guess I should be grateful that they were willing to lower themselves to sell and install the Black Pearl in my Sansui.

But I'd love to get the same or better sound from something used and cheaper.

[melofelo]

a used AR EB101 in good condition is well worth a look...makes better music than a p3 to my ears