Turntables

I just got myself a u-turn orbit plus. I’m pretty pumped about it. I think it fits all my basic needs. To top it off I ordered the SpinBase by Andover Audio. It will be aesthetically pleasing for sure. The real test will be how it sounds. 

Well, my Christmas present finally arrived. VERY happy to upgrade from my Music Hall 2.2 w/AT440MLb to my new VPI Super Prime Scout w/ Ortofon 2M Black cartridge. It also has the upgraded 10.5" Tonearm, 2" Prime platter & VTA on the fly.

GlowGirl said:

MedozK said:

Well, my Christmas present finally arrived. VERY happy to upgrade from my Music Hall 2.2 w/AT440MLb to my new VPI Super Prime Scout w/ Ortofon 2M Black cartridge. It also has the upgraded 10.5" Tonearm, 2" Prime platter & VTA on the fly.

The sound is SO nice. Have only listened to a few albums, but am eager to put some miles on this thing.

Congrats on your new system. That is one high tech looking turntable. Enjoy!!!!

Thanks, will definitely be fun going back through my collection and listening for what the better table gets me. 

brianlux said:

dankind said:

brianlux said:

I have still not found my close-to-perfect turntable.  My parameters are thus:

Total absolute maximum cost including tax and shipping, $1500 US.
-Very minimal to no motor noise.
-Ability to switch between 45 RPM and 33 1/3 without lifting the platter.
-Quality queuing lever.
-Relatively easy to use tone arm finger grip.
-No built in pre-amp. (Prefer to plug direct into my Marantz PM5005 phono port).
-Removable/ lift-able dust cover.
-Ortophon red cartridge.
-Piano black plinth.

However...   in the meantime, I have been able to improve the sound/ play-ability of my Project Carbon Debut hugely by removing the motor hold down screws and washers such that the motor is suspended by the rectangular o-ring. The thumping noise the motor was making is all but gone. After all this time- what a difference!  This relatively easy modification will allow me plenty of time to keep my eyes open for something more to my liking.  For now, I'm enjoying my records just fine!

I’d love to check out one of these. 

https://www.turntablelab.com/collections/turntables/products/thorens-td-103a-fully-automatic-turntable-black-high-gloss

Inspired by this beast: https://hifiheaven.net/shop/Thorens-TD-240-2-Fully-Automatic-Turntable-Piano-Black?language=en&currency=USD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIusX624Tv7gIV0uDICh1BsgPOEAQYASABEgLsVPD_BwE

I haven't looked very closely at Thorens.  Looks like I need to check them out more thoroughly.  My only surprise here though is that the TD-240 come with an Ortofon 2M Red.  For a TT that lists at $1299, that seems like an inferior cartridge.

And herein begins a very tricky rabbit hole in which I have found myself falling into:  The big WHAT CARTRIDGE? dilemma.  I have an Ortofon 2M on my Pro-ject Carbon Debut and the more research I've done, the more I'm thinking that beside a TT upgrade, I would do well to look into a better cart.  (And yes, I am back to looking for a new turntable.  After removing the shipping screws, the motor noise on the Carbon Debut did indeed cease, but now I have a very feelable vibration in the tone arm.  This damn Pro-ject has to go!)

My first consideration has been to go with a Technics SL1500C (comes stock with the 2M red) and upgrade to an Ortofon 2M Blue but I'm not sure that's a good choice.  I have read that the 2M blue rather bright and I am high pitch sensitive such that I'd like something more warm or "lush" sounding.  I've read about the Denon DL-103R being an excellent, warm sounding cart but then you get into all kinds of snags like "if the stylus it worn, you can't just replace it like you can with an Ortofon"?  I read that it has to be "retipped", whatever that means.  And "is it compatible with my Marantz tuner?".  And "and I looking at something too high end to match with the Marantz int he first place?"

It all soooooo confusing!!!

I got a free Thorens off of CL a few years back, and I love it enough to buy a higher-end model when the time comes. It took a while to get accustomed to a few interesting features (floating/suspended chassis; it's kind of like putting your record on a surfboard) and something that looks like it came out of a fishing tackle box for the anti-skate, but it is just so quiet (that weird floating/suspended chassis thing) and worry free. Give 'em a listen. 

Also, Turntable Lab will pretty much supply/upgrade a turntable with any type of cartridge, etc., they carry in stock; perhaps a West Coast hi-fi outfit does the same. Blue gets all the love from the Ortofon folks.

brianlux said:

dankind said:

brianlux said:

dankind said:

brianlux said:

I have still not found my close-to-perfect turntable.  My parameters are thus:

Total absolute maximum cost including tax and shipping, $1500 US.
-Very minimal to no motor noise.
-Ability to switch between 45 RPM and 33 1/3 without lifting the platter.
-Quality queuing lever.
-Relatively easy to use tone arm finger grip.
-No built in pre-amp. (Prefer to plug direct into my Marantz PM5005 phono port).
-Removable/ lift-able dust cover.
-Ortophon red cartridge.
-Piano black plinth.

However...   in the meantime, I have been able to improve the sound/ play-ability of my Project Carbon Debut hugely by removing the motor hold down screws and washers such that the motor is suspended by the rectangular o-ring. The thumping noise the motor was making is all but gone. After all this time- what a difference!  This relatively easy modification will allow me plenty of time to keep my eyes open for something more to my liking.  For now, I'm enjoying my records just fine!

I’d love to check out one of these. 

https://www.turntablelab.com/collections/turntables/products/thorens-td-103a-fully-automatic-turntable-black-high-gloss

Inspired by this beast: https://hifiheaven.net/shop/Thorens-TD-240-2-Fully-Automatic-Turntable-Piano-Black?language=en&currency=USD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIusX624Tv7gIV0uDICh1BsgPOEAQYASABEgLsVPD_BwE

I haven't looked very closely at Thorens.  Looks like I need to check them out more thoroughly.  My only surprise here though is that the TD-240 come with an Ortofon 2M Red.  For a TT that lists at $1299, that seems like an inferior cartridge.

And herein begins a very tricky rabbit hole in which I have found myself falling into:  The big WHAT CARTRIDGE? dilemma.  I have an Ortofon 2M on my Pro-ject Carbon Debut and the more research I've done, the more I'm thinking that beside a TT upgrade, I would do well to look into a better cart.  (And yes, I am back to looking for a new turntable.  After removing the shipping screws, the motor noise on the Carbon Debut did indeed cease, but now I have a very feelable vibration in the tone arm.  This damn Pro-ject has to go!)

My first consideration has been to go with a Technics SL1500C (comes stock with the 2M red) and upgrade to an Ortofon 2M Blue but I'm not sure that's a good choice.  I have read that the 2M blue rather bright and I am high pitch sensitive such that I'd like something more warm or "lush" sounding.  I've read about the Denon DL-103R being an excellent, warm sounding cart but then you get into all kinds of snags like "if the stylus it worn, you can't just replace it like you can with an Ortofon"?  I read that it has to be "retipped", whatever that means.  And "is it compatible with my Marantz tuner?".  And "and I looking at something too high end to match with the Marantz int he first place?"

It all soooooo confusing!!!

I got a free Thorens off of CL a few years back, and I love it enough to buy a higher-end model when the time comes. It took a while to get accustomed to a few interesting features (floating/suspended chassis; it's kind of like putting your record on a surfboard) and something that looks like it came out of a fishing tackle box for the anti-skate, but it is just so quiet (that weird floating/suspended chassis thing) and worry free. Give 'em a listen. 

Also, Turntable Lab will pretty much supply/upgrade a turntable with any type of cartridge, etc., they carry in stock; perhaps a West Coast hi-fi outfit does the same. Blue gets all the love from the Ortofon folks.

Thanks, I'll check further into Thorens.  May not work for me as it appears Thorens requires a pre-amp which means more money and more stuff.  I want to be able to plug right into my Marantz PM5005 tuner.  Drat!

This search just keeping getting more frustrating.  Earlier today I was looking into Rega models again and read a bunch of stuff that had me convinced that a Rega Planar 1 or 2 or 3 were only going to lead me down a path of varying upgrades and that the best thing to do was break my budget a lot further open, suck it up, and go with the Planar 6.  And then I saw this:

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/has-the-rega-planar-6-plinth-sagging-issues-been-fixed.863961/

See the two photos on the first page (post #14 and #18).  This is what $2000 bucks get you?

Hit it, Neil!

Saw it on the tube, bought in on the phone, then I got it home, it's a....

The Thorens TD 102-A appears to have a built in preamp. Have you checked that one out?

dankind said:

Brian, your Marantz doesn't have a phono stage? If it has a phono stage, you don't need a preamp. If you're using the aux, then, yes, you'll need a preamp.

It does indeed!  Late last night, after I saw your other post here, I found an article about phono stages and realized I have that on the Marantz and don't need a pre-amp.  I'm leaning toward the Technics SL-1500C but still considering Thorens.  Thanks for your input, Dankind! 

GlowGirl said:

brianlux said:

dankind said:

brianlux said:

dankind said:

brianlux said:

I have still not found my close-to-perfect turntable.  My parameters are thus:

Total absolute maximum cost including tax and shipping, $1500 US.
-Very minimal to no motor noise.
-Ability to switch between 45 RPM and 33 1/3 without lifting the platter.
-Quality queuing lever.
-Relatively easy to use tone arm finger grip.
-No built in pre-amp. (Prefer to plug direct into my Marantz PM5005 phono port).
-Removable/ lift-able dust cover.
-Ortophon red cartridge.
-Piano black plinth.

However...   in the meantime, I have been able to improve the sound/ play-ability of my Project Carbon Debut hugely by removing the motor hold down screws and washers such that the motor is suspended by the rectangular o-ring. The thumping noise the motor was making is all but gone. After all this time- what a difference!  This relatively easy modification will allow me plenty of time to keep my eyes open for something more to my liking.  For now, I'm enjoying my records just fine!

I’d love to check out one of these. 

https://www.turntablelab.com/collections/turntables/products/thorens-td-103a-fully-automatic-turntable-black-high-gloss

Inspired by this beast: https://hifiheaven.net/shop/Thorens-TD-240-2-Fully-Automatic-Turntable-Piano-Black?language=en&currency=USD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIusX624Tv7gIV0uDICh1BsgPOEAQYASABEgLsVPD_BwE

I haven't looked very closely at Thorens.  Looks like I need to check them out more thoroughly.  My only surprise here though is that the TD-240 come with an Ortofon 2M Red.  For a TT that lists at $1299, that seems like an inferior cartridge.

And herein begins a very tricky rabbit hole in which I have found myself falling into:  The big WHAT CARTRIDGE? dilemma.  I have an Ortofon 2M on my Pro-ject Carbon Debut and the more research I've done, the more I'm thinking that beside a TT upgrade, I would do well to look into a better cart.  (And yes, I am back to looking for a new turntable.  After removing the shipping screws, the motor noise on the Carbon Debut did indeed cease, but now I have a very feelable vibration in the tone arm.  This damn Pro-ject has to go!)

My first consideration has been to go with a Technics SL1500C (comes stock with the 2M red) and upgrade to an Ortofon 2M Blue but I'm not sure that's a good choice.  I have read that the 2M blue rather bright and I am high pitch sensitive such that I'd like something more warm or "lush" sounding.  I've read about the Denon DL-103R being an excellent, warm sounding cart but then you get into all kinds of snags like "if the stylus it worn, you can't just replace it like you can with an Ortofon"?  I read that it has to be "retipped", whatever that means.  And "is it compatible with my Marantz tuner?".  And "and I looking at something too high end to match with the Marantz int he first place?"

It all soooooo confusing!!!

I got a free Thorens off of CL a few years back, and I love it enough to buy a higher-end model when the time comes. It took a while to get accustomed to a few interesting features (floating/suspended chassis; it's kind of like putting your record on a surfboard) and something that looks like it came out of a fishing tackle box for the anti-skate, but it is just so quiet (that weird floating/suspended chassis thing) and worry free. Give 'em a listen. 

Also, Turntable Lab will pretty much supply/upgrade a turntable with any type of cartridge, etc., they carry in stock; perhaps a West Coast hi-fi outfit does the same. Blue gets all the love from the Ortofon folks.

Thanks, I'll check further into Thorens.  May not work for me as it appears Thorens requires a pre-amp which means more money and more stuff.  I want to be able to plug right into my Marantz PM5005 tuner.  Drat!

This search just keeping getting more frustrating.  Earlier today I was looking into Rega models again and read a bunch of stuff that had me convinced that a Rega Planar 1 or 2 or 3 were only going to lead me down a path of varying upgrades and that the best thing to do was break my budget a lot further open, suck it up, and go with the Planar 6.  And then I saw this:

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/has-the-rega-planar-6-plinth-sagging-issues-been-fixed.863961/

See the two photos on the first page (post #14 and #18).  This is what $2000 bucks get you?

Hit it, Neil!

Saw it on the tube, bought in on the phone, then I got it home, it's a....

The Thorens TD 102-A appears to have a built in preamp. Have you checked that one out?

I did, thank!  It looks like a new model and I couldn't find much in the way of reviews but will consider it.   

brianlux said:

After a TON of research, I finally decided to go with the Technics SL-1500C and made the call. 

"Sorry, out of stock."

And another call.

"Sorry, back-ordered."

And another call.

"Sorry, no gots."

Sheesh!

When I was ordering gear from my dealer recently, they mentioned how hard Technics has been hit due to the pandemic and it’s very difficult to get their products right now. 

BB162610 said:

brianlux said:

After a TON of research, I finally decided to go with the Technics SL-1500C and made the call. 

"Sorry, out of stock."

And another call.

"Sorry, back-ordered."

And another call.

"Sorry, no gots."

Sheesh!

When I was ordering gear from my dealer recently, they mentioned how hard Technics has been hit due to the pandemic and it’s very difficult to get their products right now. 

Yeah, I talk to a couple of reps from three different companies and they're all saying Technics probably won't be shipping until summer or maybe even early fall.  One guy said that electronics in general have been hard hot due to pandemic factors.

dankind said:

Hey, @brianlux , it's me, your Thorens pusher again.

How you doing, buddy? Jonesin' for a noiseless motor and an incredible soundstage? 

I know how it is, pal. I've been there. But not anymore. Because I found Thorens.

You want user friendly. As long as you use, Thorens will be friendly.