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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
raymonda
847 posts
 
Wow! Something is really wrong. I hope you get it sorted out. However, if you send it back and stay with the Thorens, you will be very impressed with what a new tone arm will do to your table.

if you can try to get a Michell Technoarm or Audiomods. I've used both and they wring the best out of an already very good arm.

Sorry about your current disappointment.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
Stewart07.....The VPI mod will be available for the 3D arm with the use of an attachment to the arm, so you can just send away for it to modify your own.  To be truthful, I have a 3D and couldn't care less about the wiggle when not in the groove....its extremely stable while tracking.  If as you say there is no sonic improvement, I'll pass.
helomech OP
766 posts
 
Raymonda,

From what I've gathered from other forums and experienced VPI users, the newer Classic 1 models aren't up to par with the older models, particularly because of the difference in motors. I know I had the Classic set up correctly and troubleshot everything in my system. I'm 99% sure it was a motor issue (the slow speed) and main bearing noise (mechanical noise which lubrication could not remedy). 

I may have just gotten a lemon. Due to the copious amount of scratches that were on the platter, I suspect I might have been sold a demo/previous open box unit. I realize it's a soft aluminum platter, but still...

I'll check out those other tonearms. Thanks for the suggestion, they might be a better match for my carts.
fbpearce
33 posts
 
I once mounted an Origin Live Zephyr on my restored TD 160. This was a nice combination. I bought a Well Tempered Amadeus which is a keeper for me. 
helomech OP
766 posts
 
Update: I took a gamble on an Acoustic Signature Wow XL with their TA-700 tonearm.

There was very little info about these tables on the Web, aside from a couple good reviews from the common fluff Hi Fi mags. 

What attracted me to the Wow was the high mass design and that the engineering focus was quiet operation and high build quality. 

The concept is quite simple overall: good speed stability, rigidity and a robust main bearing.
 
I was a little disappointed that the tonearm doesn't allow for any easy azimuth adjustment. I had to shim the cartridge to achieve the proper azimuth. It was a bit of a pain and almost a deal breaker on the arm.

Anyway, I'm currently breaking in my SS Carmen on this table and I'm very pleased so far. It well exceeds the performance of the other tables I tried in almost every respect. I will say that my old Thorens gives it a run for the money in terms of PRAT, but that's not surprising since both have solid speed stability and a few similarities in design.

I plan to write a more comprehensive review on this table when it has gotten some mileage, probably in a new thread.Thanks again to all who participated in this discussion.



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