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A plethora of turntables - help needed!

So my son managed to jump and land on my old Thorens TD 145, so I’m now in the position to buy a new turntable. I was (ironically) going to live with the Thorens until the kids moved out and I could get a Linn LP12.

I own two amplifiers: Rega Brio 2 and NAD 3020 and a pair of Proac Tablette 50 Signature speakers, though I am willing to get new/bigger speakers as well.

I’ve narrowed down my turntable options to these (currently available with prices):

Systemdek IIX (Ortofon OM 10)
$465

Linn Axis (Basik Plus tonearm)
$400

Linn Basik (Akito tonearm)
$150

Thorens TD280 MKII (Linn K9)
$290

Rega Planar3 (Linn K5)
$380

Thorens TD2001 (Sure V15 MVR)
$464

Braun PS-500
(Auction)

Thorens TD166 mkii (Goldring)
(Auction)

I prefer a neutral sound, the less fuss the better. Any help from this sub is most appreciated!
farbrorseb

Showing 3 responses by farbrorseb

farbrorseb OP
3 posts
 
Is crash landing an Olympic sport now? ;)
I’ve had no luck finding a good deal on a TD-1XX, I’d love to own a TD-124!

I’m talking to the guy who’s selling the TD-2001. OK - it doesn’t have the fab looks of the older Thorens but it has a small footprint and the model seems to be praised and acknowledged as a serious deck that can give the newer TD-350, and the older TD-160 as well as the Linn LP12 a match. Pity it is too far away so I can’t test/hear it out first. But for sub $400 it seems like a bargain.

Would be fantastic to get some insight from someone on the forum.
farbrorseb OP
3 posts
 
I waited too long and missed the Basik/Akito (dang!)

Garrards are a bit too much 70s scifi control room for me (am I banned now?)

I found a reasonably priced LP12 but I’d feel a need to do the upgrades ASAP, hence out of my league.

I’m set on buying the TD-2001! The reviews are all superlative and if that’s true it could rival the LP12. I’m thinking about building a new plinth in my cabin woodshop. 
Thanks all!
farbrorseb OP
3 posts
 
I bought the TD-2001! I’m so stoked. The Shure V15 V-MR cartridge itself makes this an excellent deal.

@jerryg123 - If I could borrow a time travel enabled Delorean I would go back a couple of weeks and put my savings on Man Utd - Liverpool 0-5 and then buy myself a penthouse with the most ridiculous audiophile setup there is, and TOTALLY forget I really only meant to save my TD-145 from my sons Olympic ass shenanigans..

The Thorens TD-145 is simply such an eye pleaser in every respect, and it had served me so well. Even tinkering with it was pretty easy. The only issue I ever really had was with the plastic anti-skate control (which snapped straight off during said sons Olympic ass shenanigans).

I’ll bring it with me to my local audiophile store when I get the TD-2001 checked on and see if they could fix it and sell it.

Again, thanks for the fun and helpful discussions. I’ve only been a lurker on this forum, but seeing as I got much better response here than on those other forums, audiogon has now become my favorite!
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