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Thorens TD-125 mkii - a significant improvement over the TD-160?

Hi - I currently own a Thorens TD-160 mki with TP-16 tonearm and Denon DL-110 cartridge and the combination sounds great.  Would a TD-125 mkii and an SME tonearm be a significant "upgrade" in terms of sound, or would I be better off just upgrading my cartridge?


Thanks!

jawks

Showing 2 responses by pratorious

pratorious
124 posts
 
I have owned the TD-125 with SME M2-9 arm and Clearaudio Maestro. I currently use a TD-160 with an M2-9R and Clearaudio Maestro. I believe you will be rewarded with the greatest result in sound quality by upgrading your arm on the TD-160. Cartridge too if you feel like going crazy.
pratorious
124 posts
 
Hmmm... I never replaced an arm myself though I know many people do often. If you trust the TD-125 with SME arm is in as good condition as your current turntable, and the price is right, then that could be a simpler move. I just prefer the TD-160 for simplicity, visual and mechanical, and never felt I degraded my sound when I traded in my TD-125. Both of mine came refurbished from Vinyl Nirvana so I believe they both were performing as well as could be expected.

If you are curious you can likely research the ease of DIY swapping tonearms at Vinyl Engine and judge whether you want to take it on.
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