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Upgrade Opinions, Thorens vs VPI

I'm looking to possibly upgrade to a better turntable.

My current setup is a Thorens TD166 MKII with the original tp11 tonearm. The table has a few mods including a solid cherry plinth and birch bottom with sorbothane feet. It also came with the 10mm spindle bearing, same one used on the TD160.

Amp: Rogue audio Sphinx 
Preamp: MM preamp built into the Sphinx
Cartidge: Shure M97xe with SAS stylus
Speakers: Monitor Audio Silver 8

The components listed above are my recent upgrades. I now think my table is due for an upgrade. 

I am considering installing a Jelco SA750D tonearm on my Thorens, since the tonearm is likely the weakest performing part of the table, or going with a completely new table.

I am considering the following tables:

Rega Planar 3 (possibly not a big leap?)

Rega RP8

VPI Classic 1 

Acoustic Signature Wow XL with Rega arm.

I am leaning toward the VPI, partly because I really like its look, but I do want the best sounding table under $3000 (subjective I know). Overall, I'm pleased with the current sound from my Thorens, so maybe the best bang for my buck would be a new tonearm. Some members have claimed that a Debut Carbon will blow the doors of a TD166, but in my personal experience, it's the opposite. So I'm thinking I'd probably need to spend over 1K for a real sonic upgrade over my Thorens.

Anyone have experience with VPI tables versus Thorens TD16X series? Any advice is welcome.
helomech
sturgus
65 posts
 
Helomec, congratulations on the VPI purchase, very nice table. I think the recommendation for Soundsmith is a good one. I would also take a look at the Nagaoka MP300 or 500. These are also Moving Iron, and very nice sounding. Happy Listening.
Sturgus
Post removed 
helomech OP
766 posts
 
Thanks to everyone here for the advice and insight. 

I'll report back after I've had some time with my Classic.
phoenixengr's avatar
phoenixengr
35 posts
 
If your Classic has the built in controller ("mini SDS" powered by an external wall wart), it will not be compatible with the SDS, ADS or any other outboard controller. No matter what the ADS does to the 115V AC signal that it outputs, the table’s wall wart will convert it to DC and the table’s controller will regenerate a 24VAC signal for the Hurst motor. It will not control the speed, improve stability or reduce noise.  To even suggest otherwise is patently false.
helomech OP
766 posts
 
The outboard power supply label shows 48V DC to the motor. 

I got the Classic all set up a couple days ago and have been less than thrilled with its performance. I realize that equipment needs time to break in, but the motor was very loud and I could hear it from across the room. The platter was making a 1/rev scraping sound that I was able to hear through my speakers, even at only 40-50 db. Also, the table ran quite slow when checked with a strobe disc. It seemed to smear the sound quite a bit. I let the table spin for a couple hours, checked the speed again and it was still drifting, regardless of belt: groove position.

I triple checked all setup parameters, nothing was wrong with the setup.

I really wanted to love the Classic but unfortunately it's not for me. Maybe I just received a lemon, but in my experience, exchanging products for one of the same or similar, rarely leads to full resolution.   

For those who were wondering. My old Thorens with M97xe cart trounced the Classic with the SS Carmen cart. Of course, that was judging the Classic without much break-in time. My guess is the Classic would have been competitive once the cartridge broke-in, and speed issue was resolved, but for me, not worth the cost difference. 
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