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Low Cost Turntable

A vintage AR turntable I have is considered beyond repair, so I'm considering a Music Hall 2.2 MMF, Rega P2, Technics SL-1200, or Thorens TD-170. I bought a Shure M97XE cartridge to replace the V-15 II in the AR before I learned of the problem with the AR. I'm obviously not a vinyl guy, but do think turntables make nice toys. Any reason to choose one of the contenders over the other? Advice?

I will be using the turntable with a Channel Island Audio phono stage and power supply, a Proceed PAV and Amp 2, and a pair of KEF 104/2s. A Sony DVP-S9000ES does CD/SACD duty.

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tfkaudio
589 posts
 
I would personally choose the Rega. But they're all good machines. The Rega has a better tonearm than the MMF or Technics. Also, the MMF might come with a cartridge already mounted. If you already have a cartridge, you might not want to pay for another.
The Thorens plays 78's. It might be the only one on your list that does. If that's worth anything to you.

Cheers.
sinisterporpoise68
63 posts
 
I would also recommend the Rega. It's a good simple table with a lot of options for inexpensive future upgrades. But I'm sure you'd also be happy with the base model. As a former Music Hall MMF-5 owner, I think the Rega arm is the dealbreaker.
rlwainwright
1,901 posts
 
If I was you, I'd scoop up the Denon 37F that's on Audiogon right now for $200 - you'll not do better for the money...

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1220301849

-RW-
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