displaying reviews 1 to 20 of 514 |
 by chaskelljr1963
When I started upon my journey to get into Vinyl for the first time, and started doing so after settling onto a Phono Stage (my Adcom GFP-750 does not have one built-in.... and it ended up being a PS Audio GCPH (unmodded)), I started out at looking at Turntables from the following manufacturers (exact Model Numbers to follow):
(01). Music Hall (MMF-5.1)
(02). Project Audio (RPM-5.1)
(03). Rega (P3-24)
And as a last resort (before I waked up and knew better):
(04). Technics (SL-1200 MkII)(when they were still available at sensible prices.... I may have missed out on owning this gem, but I have a gem of my own which I will mention next.... I guess the reason was that I did not want a DJ's Turntable in my Audiophile Rig, and I was hung up about having a Direct-Drive Table in my rig. So much for my ignorance (please forgive me). With some mods done to it, the Technics SL-1200 is a decent and respectable High-End Table... so my ignorant thinking has cause me to lose out on this one.... but my loss is your gain, right??? Well, not exactly).
And then, this thought hit me. Why don't I look at e-Bay and see what they have available as a used vintage table, and thought that a vintage table may be the best thing for me.
Why??
If you shop around carefully, you can get a still get a quality table at a sensible price (and only if you're willing to put up the fact that this table maybe 30+ years old). But make sure that you get one that is in decent shape to start out with, that way, if you should have a desire to renovate it and have it modded later on, then a table that is in decent shape to begin with should make renovations and modifications go a LOT smoother.
And then, that's what has brought me to THIS table:
(05). Thorens (TD-160)(this is the one I ended up buying)
My description of this table is everything that Chris-_007 and JaS has said about it, and a lot more.
It has great bones to be an older table, parts are still available (belts to name one.... and other parts are also available as needed.... I recommend getting modified or looked at throughly at a place in New Hampshire (I believe) named Vinyl Nirvana, and speak with Dave when you do.... he's a great guy to talk to when comes to tables, and he knows his stuff).
The Thorens TD-160 checks all of my boxes for what I am looking for in a table for right now, and I am envisioning what it will become once the renovations and modifications are complete. This is probably the ONE AND ONLY table I will EVER buy. EVER!!!!
Currently, I am saving up for a Jelco SA-750D Arm (looking for a 9-Inch Version) and plan to mount either an Ortofon 2M Blue or a Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III on it when it is all said and done.
Stay Tuned For Updates...
--Charles--
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 by JPWill
I've had this turntable since 1976 and have not had one issue. True German craftsmanship! It came with the Shure V15 Type III cartridge. One of the best.
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by maspadaro
Great table, sturdy like a tank and has all the things you need in a TT. Automation, size/speed selector, a true workhorse.
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by cruciform
Such a beautiful piece of machinery.
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 by KRab
Mine's been going since 1978......solid performer
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by Vsanzbajo
Incredible build quality, and awesome sound.
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by Vsanzbajo
This one is an incredible sounding turntable. I really like it. Easy to use. A real pleasure to play with.
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 by wega
A friend asked me to look after this TT. It only started to turn on 33 after being pushstarted, but 45 worked fine. After checking the Service Manual (found on Vinyl Engine), I decideded to replace the C 01 Electrolytic Capacitor. That did the trick and the deck worked fine after re- adjusting both speeds with the internal pots.
This is a nice deck from the late '70s that outraces each new Denon 250,- $ or similar plastic deck. Stable and reliable DD Motor even if the electronics need some maintenance after35 years. Good midclass tonearm with SME mount, so it is easy to change and upgrade headshells and cartridges. Nice feature is the holder in the left-back for a spare headshell. I would recommend this deck as a possible bargain if you find a runner- otherwise you should be prepared to replace dryed-out capacitors.
Have fun, Stefan
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by gliebzeit
Yeah, I just popped my ST-4 out of its box after around 20 years. It still has the Audio Technica Signet TK7E cartridge (minus stylus!) and the drive belt is not stretched too much.... it still spins the turntable. It did sound very impressive when it was new. The w/f was the only drawback, once you had the lift mirror adjusted properly.
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 by Benwah63
Love it and OMG the sound is wonderful !
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by Berre
The tonearm definately IS adjustable in height. (RTFM) Their is a screw on the right side in the lift assy. Push down the lift as the screw is a hex that needs to be un-locked prior to adjustment. Then adjust height of arm with screwdriver: clockwise is lower, anti-clock is higher.
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by kanishka
Simple to use but with options for lot of improvements. Proper isolation, acryl platter and correct cartridge matching will take this table to another level. Couldn't find any better table than Genie in this price range. Absolute glory for anyone wants to have a budget TT.
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 by froma
It's the bigger brother to PL-30LII. It's still a very good player. The 30 gets a score 5 and his get the score 6. But the big brother PL-70LII gets a score 9 ;)
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 by cmfast
My dad gave me his old SL-20 recently. I would've killed to have it when I was a teenager. But, now I see its shortcomings. FWIW it does a decent job for a starter deck. Just don't expect too much and you'll be happy. Drive system is reliable. Arm does what it's supposed to do. The lightweight plinth and stamped platter seem to be the achiles heels keeping it from reaching a mid-fi level of performance.
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by cmfast
This deck looks a little cheap, but pick one up and you'll get a hernia. The recessed platter has more mass than you'd suspect. The plinth is substantial and probably could be better with some strategic damping. Performance wise it's pretty decent for an automatic. Lots of adjustment and options including a variable repeat (mechanical) function. The drive seems pretty decent too. The weak point is its mediocre arm. No VTA adjustment can frustrate. If the auto mechanics are good then it'd be a good 2nd or casual deck.
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by cmfast
If you see one of these for cheap, grab it without hesitation! Much better than it has a right to be! The SME knock-off arm is a good implementation of a simple knife-edge bearing design and an all-around good performer. The drive system is admirably stable and quiet. For a mid-70's, mid-fi deck this Sansui does everything right. Took a point off for the ugly grey veneer. The 626 is the same deck, but in a wood veneer.
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