Thorens. Vintage or New?


I’m looking for a turntable and am considering a new Thorems TD-1600 or a vintage TD-125 mkii (restored and modded with a sorane ta-1 tonearm by vinyl nirvana). Any advice on sound/build quality/reliability of new vs old?

coos

Showing 1 response by coos

The TD-125 would be built to order and customizable.  An example is here: https://vinylnirvana.com/product/the-master-thorens-td-125-mkii-w-sorane-ta-1-tonearm-in-solid-zebrawood

In addition to the new solid plinth, dustcover and tonearm, here's the service list: https://vinylnirvana.com/restoration_services/restoration-thorens-td-125125-mkii-turntables

My present setup is a Herron VTPH-2A / deHavilland UltraVerve 3 (hand built by Kara Chaffee) / Pass Xa.25 / Klipsch La Scala (vintage 1990 birch plywood).  I listen to rock, jazz and blues and it's on a basement slab.

I tend to gravitate towards well built and good value for the sound they produce.  Kinda thinking the 1960s German made and carefully restored TD-125 would be a better fit than a new shiny made in Taiwan TD-1600.  Price difference is only about $500.