Technics or Thorens, need suggestions

The SP 10 is 0.015%. If you think you can hear the difference then you need to take Michael Fremer's place on the staff of Stereophile.

@mijostyn  Certainly you don't hear that in terms of pitch. But as the machine speeds up and slows down, it causes the arm to exert variable tracking pressures on the left and right sides of the grooves due to variable skating forces. This creates a bit of a 'shimmer' in the sound stage. To hear what this is about, sometimes its useful to compare the LP to the same title on tape. There is a 'locked in' quality about the soundstage with better speed regulation- its more palpable.


BTW I agree that the arm is one of the weaknesses of the Technics, but its a lot better arm than was on the old SL1200s (it has superior arm tube material, better bearings and the bearings have no slop in them at all); not bad when you consider the price. But I've installed the Triplanar arm on a number of the new SL1200s and the difference is pretty remarkable. Seriously if you've not heard one in person, its an entirely new machine from the ground up, having only appearance and the fact that its a turntable in common with the older SL1200s; I've not heard a belt drive that can keep up.

I have serious doubts about the credibility of anybody who dismisses or recommends a turntable (or any other piece of equipment for that matter) on the basis of genre. Also bear in mind that certain reviewers can also be prone to be guilty of this cardinal sin to a varying degree. They are easy to spot after a while.

Keep an open mind and judge the value of a component on its merits alone.

As soon as I saw the title, I knew mijo would be here shortly to bash the Technics.

I was using a Marantz TT15-S, and while I liked the sound and the looks, I don't like the way the belt and motor is setup.  I have been eyeing a newer Technics since the release and I pulled the trigger 2 days ago on a gently used 1210GR with an Ortofon black and a few upgrades at a nice price.The table really sounds fabulous.  Definitely no regrets. I also agree that the table looks much better in person(not that it looks bad in pictures.) I have a good friend that is generally a fan of belt drives, I bought the Marantz on his recommendation and the first thing he said is, I don't like the looks. I certainly don't agree, and he probably won't either when he gets to see(and hear) it. 

Anyone need a like new Marantz TT15 for a good price? :P

Many years ago I owned an SP 10 and never thought much of it sound wise but to be fair, I was using an early 1980's Sony receiver and an entry level Grado cartridge. Currently, I have a very good phono stage and I'm using a Thorens TD 160 MK1 that I've been modifying. I've built a hard maple plinth for it, have dampened the chassis and sub chases, upgraded to Wireworld phono cable, added a Herbies record mat, grungebuster washers and isolation feet, upgraded the headshell and leads and installed an Audio Technica 33 mono anniversary cartridge. Eventually, I will upgrade to a better tonearm, probably a Jelco. Yes, it's a FrankenThorens but I'm unsentimental about its stock build and each change I've done to it has rendered a sonic improvement aside from maybe the headshell. It will stay as a mono table. If I were to buy a new table, I'd opt for an upper level Rega.

Many years ago I owned an SP 10 and never thought much of it sound wise but to be fair, I was using an early 1980’s Sony receiver and an entry level Grado cartridge.

SP-10 or SP-10 MK2 ?
First is from the late 60’s, second is from the mid 70’s.
The difference between those two Technics models is HUGE

Technics chronicle available on their website, there was so many models release between the SP-10 and SP-10 mkII

Technics SP-10 mkII today is better than any Rega turntable and better than ALL belt drive turntables under $2k.

Refurbished SP-10 mkII will outperform almost everything on belt drive territory up to $4k.

Rega is simply not on that level at all.

SP-10 mkII in some nice wooden plinth with Micro Seiki copper mat and modern high-end tonearm like Reed 3p is absolutely killer turntable. Upgrade is possible, but only to another Direct Drive. here is my ex SP-10 mkII.

Even much cheaper SP-20 with some nice tonearms like these is better than all those funny belt drives. Add SAEC SS-300 mat and nice disc stabilizer and you're done, an excellent vintage Direct Drive in original Technics Obsidian plinth SH-10B3.