2. analog
  3. 135159-102231

I'd like to hear recommendations for Turntables under $5,000

I had a reconditioned Thorens TD-160 Super. I'd like to know from people who own them, What you recommend looking at? My focus is less than $3,000 but I'm in like with some of the old VPI Classics, Prime, Prime Signatures  which is why I say 3-5K in the title and am looking for recommendations on anything in this range? Make and model. 
jahatl513
nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 

Dear Lew, Yes Antoinette was Austrian but in those times French

was the obligatory language for the elite. However I am more

interested in what you said than Marie. If I can get your Kenwood

for $3500 I will transfer the money tomorrow.  After that I will

ask my Slavic brother chackster which one, his or yours, is better

and for much less money than $5000.

tzh21y
1,377 posts
 
The reason I went with a direct drive table is because i heard it do things that I have not heard a belt drive do outside of mega bucks.  The attack piano and drums are just incredible.  The technics 1200g gives you a lot for the money.  For me it came down to this table and the Michell.  The Michell is excellent and very worthy of the best arm you can afford.  It has a warm and airy sound that is just hard to beat at any price.  The technics does not have the air and soundstage of the Michell but it does certain things very well.  I have had belt drives most of my life because I never heard a direct drive perform like they do now for the money.  Its a tough one for sure.  I still think about that Michell if that tells ya anything.  Analog at its finest for a very reasonable cost.
lewm
6,770 posts
 
Nandric, I am sorry that you mistook my estimate of the market value for the Kenwood L07D as an offer to sell at that price.  However, if you outlive me, you are welcome to petition my wife for the right to purchase mine, provided I have not figured out a way to take it with me by then.  If I can leave my bad back here, I will definitely carry the L07D with me to the other side.  Chakster wants $5000 for his L07D?  Which is to ask also, Chakster has an L07D?

The adjective "warm" applied to a turntable suggests to me either a resonant plinth or speed irregularity due to stylus drag or belt creep.  However, I have zero basis for indicting the Michell on any of those grounds, because I never heard one and am not even sure what it looks like.
nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 

Dear Lew, This is the second time that you refer to your wife as

the possible solution for my ''problem'' to get your Kenwood L07D.

My impression is then that you would sooner part from your wife

then from your Kenwood. We have the same hobby but are different.

I asked my son to bury me with my cartridges and (between) my

speakers. I have no idea why you are so obsessed with TT's?

My reason is the fact that I don't own a horse.  

hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog
144 posts
 
The VPI turntables/ tonearm are definitely more of a tweakers setup. There is good support at the factory level, and a forum community that can be quite helpful. I owned a Aries Scout and then Scout II, and there was a lot to like about those TTs. I never did love the unipivot tonearm.

I considered the Gyro SE and the Acoustic Signature WOW XL hen replacing the Scout II. Ultimately, I decided on the AS with TA-1000 tonearm (will upgrade to XXL platter when budget allows). Both are excellent ‘tables, and I could be very happy with either.
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