Technics or Thorens, need suggestions

I have the 1200G.  It is amazing.  The aesthetics are just a little too familiar to all of us but, as an industrial designer, I do have to say that it is a classic style and will always be.  For what it's worth I was looking to get a better looking TT...but since buying it, I have pretty much upgraded all my components and need to admit that it still looks better than anything on the rack.

You appreciate all the love that went into the 1200G everyday you use it.
The arm and gimbal are stellar...it's a medium mass arm that will work with so many carts. almost 2 years on mine without a hickup.

You won't be sorry with a 1200G.  Too bad you can't listen to the Thorens and the Technics side by side.  I'll bet the Technics will put it to shame.
 

I’ve used BOTH for 50 years. Mcintosh and Thoren. Thoren has some very nice units. If you want to spend  money, Thoren can relieve you of some.. Lots of goodies for most  Thorens. The vintage stuff is just wonderful, and hold it’s value. Technics is a good unit. Just not a Thoren, as simple as they are..very easy to work on and PLINTH ready.

Mac has  great phono sections, in all their units. You can tweak from there. They are known for their dual phono, MM, MC, adjustable gain (the newer).  With an Amprex or Tellie valve swap, anything but the original, valves, you’ll be sittin’ in tall cotton.. I have 50 years of Mac Preamps, C8,11,20,22,2500, MX110,120,121. Valve or SS, all have good phono sections.

Time to go feed the chickens.

Regards

I'll take the thorens after reading that article/ review. 

oldhvymec,

"I’ve used BOTH for 50 years. Mcintosh and Thoren. Thoren has some very nice units."

I read somewhere, a few years ago, about Thorens basically being a different company than 50 years ago. Not that any company is the same.

In any case, and you surely know better than me if that is the case, old Thorenses and new Thorenses may not be same kinds of animals. I have no experience with new ones, but old ones were something to admire. That TD 126 Mk III, used, would be a serious contender if I had posted the question from the original post. Now, could new ones hold a candle to those old ones? If you have any experience, could you elaborate? I am interested.

Back in the 70’s, when I was selling audio retail, I bought a Thorens TD125AB MKII turntable on a salesman accommodation at 50% off retail. I used it with a Shure V15 Type2 MM cartridge. I liked the table but hated the cuing with the Thorens tonearm. I ditched it and bought a Phillips GA212 Turntable. Come to think of it, I didn’t have the Phillips very long. Eventually, I bought a JVC Direct Drive turntable (I remember I paid $850.00 for it) in 1978. I loved that turntable.

The Technics SL1200G is the best turntable I have ever owned, and just coming from a VPI Prime which cost me the same money, it is a night and day difference to me. The PRAT is much better, it is the first turntable that sounds better than my Esoteric SACD player and believe me, that is saying a lot. The cuing is so precise, you don’t hear any kind of needle chatter, the bass has true authority, and the music flows so easily. I expect that it is my final turntable.   The best part is once you have the cartridge dialed in, you do not have to futz with turntable, you can just spin vinyl.