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Get my turntable fixed or buy a new one?

Here's the situation.  In 1988 when turntables were dissapearing I bought a Thorens TD-320 for $600 that included a signet cartridge.   It has served me well over the years.  It was In Storage for about four years along with the rest of my system.  I recently unpacked everything, hooked it up and found that the turntable wasn't working.  I am faced with this dilemma, I can probably get the Thorens fixed.  Found some guys in the Philly area that work on them.  On the other hand it's almost 30 years old.  Is it worth getting it fixed or should I get a new one.  If you vote for new, give me some ideas as to what brands and models you would recommend of comparable quality.

My current system includes:

Krell KRC-3 pre, Krell KSA 200S amp, Parasound Z-Phono phono pre, Revel Performance F32 speakers and Ayre CD Player
128x128pipebro

Showing 13 responses by pipebro

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Thanks for the response. I took it apart to clean connections.    The belt is fine, the motor isn't turning.  Thanks for the cartridge suggestions.
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
$1500-2000

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Thanks for the response.  It was very helpful.  Everybody's definition of "Serious" is probably different.  I bought my first album in 1959 and have been collecting through the mid 80's.  In total I have about 700 lp's.  The majority of them are in good shape since about 1969 when I got my first quality turntable, a Garrard.  I think I'm going to have the Thorens fixed if the price is right. They also have upgrades available.   Worse case scenario I can trade it in on a new one.
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Yes it does.  Probably the motor or it's not getting power.

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Thanks for your response.  That was very helpful!

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Here's the strange thing.  When I first unpacked the Thorens it didn't work.  I used some good old radio shack contact cleaner on the power connector and the on/off switch and it started working.  About three weeks later it stopped again and I can't get it going.  That tells me it's something sinple like a short or something since the motor was turning for a period of time.  I'm going to see about having it fixed.
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Thanks for the response.  I thought about getting a multimeter and doing some testing myself.   I used to be an aviation electronics tech in the Navy.  But it's been so long I might not remember what to do. I still might try that.
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
P.S.  Thanks for the system compliment.  I really enjoy it because I love music.
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
No estimate yet.  Won't get one until I send it in.  Before I do that I'm going to replace the power cord in case that's the problem.  Tough to rate the Parasound.  I recently got it on audiogon and listened to it for about 15 minutes when I had the turntable working.

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
The Thorens repair shop I found is as follows:
BC Electronics
2346 Bristol Oxford Valley Road
Levittown Pa.
215-547-7600
I found them online.  They specifically work on Thorens turntables.  Too bad my turntable went bad after I moved from Pa.  Lived in Phoenixville for 11 years.  Also found a place called Vinyl Nirvana but he's not accept any new jobs until May.
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
When I bough my first album in '59 I was pretty young.   As a result, I don't have a lot of mono records so the two turntable idea doesn't work.  The Parasound phono pre handles MC cartridges so that's not an issue.  I have a VPI record cleaning machine.  The Ayre CD player is a CX-7.  It was on the Stereophile recommended components list.  I think it was class A or B.  I love the sound.  It's warm (class a output) and detailed.  When I bought it I compared it to the Krell at $10,000.  I preferred the Ayre.

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
Wow!  Small world.

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
I had some projects that kept me away from the turntable.  Wanted to close the loop.  I bought a multimeter and checked the input voltage from the power cord.  Zero.  Found a replacement on Amazon, plugged it in, table started to turn.  I am so glad I don't have to buy a new table.  Thanks for your help.
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