2. analog
  3. 1287642697

Help with used TT choices: Music Hall vs Thorens

I am getting back into vinyl after 15-20 years and need advice to get the best bang for my buck. I have the opportunity to purchase a Music Hall mmf-7 for a very reasonable price or a Thorens TD-166 for about $250 (MUCH closer to my budget). Is one much better than the other? Should I wait and save to be able to afford a better table or will I be able to live with one of these for a long time? I'll be using a Cambridge 640 P phono-pre. My system: Spica TC-50 speakers which produce great soundstage, imaging and low level/ambient sound. Cayin TA-30 tube amp, CAL Alpha DAC/NAD for transport, Pinnacle subs. At it's best (to use the words of my wife) it sounds like we're in the recording studio. I'm hoping for a TT that gets me more of that.
dakajoba

Showing 3 responses by dakajoba

dakajoba OP
11 posts
 
Thanks Tketcham. I believe it is the original mmf-7, which from what I've read has the aluminum arm. I believe the 7.1 introduced the carbon arm. When you said you won't be able to hear the nuances in chamber music (not much of what I listen too), would I be able to hear the low level cues of the recording environment on a good acoustic folk/rock recording?
dakajoba OP
11 posts
 
Thanks. I should have included this info: They both are being sold with cartridges mounted. I'm not sure about which cartridge is being sold with the Music Hall but it may be it's original cartridge ("Goldring Eroica H high output MC"), although I'm not sure. The Thorens TT is the TD-166 "MK II" and has an Ortofon OM 10 mounted.
dakajoba OP
11 posts
 
Tketcham - thanks so much for your insight. I still don't know which arm or cartridge is on the table but looks like the seller (an acquaintance) will loan me the table for a while. That should give me a great insight as to whether I am ready/willing to get back into vinyl. This recent interest for me started when I visited my mother-in-law who put a Carole King LP on her trashy old all in one stereo with little JBL speakers and I immediately heard things I don't on CD. My digital front end is by far from the best but I think it is decent. I hope vinyl can top it in so far as musical involvement. Most of my music is along the lines of the artists you mentioned.
More to discover