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Get my turntable fixed or buy a new one?

Here's the situation.  In 1988 when turntables were dissapearing I bought a Thorens TD-320 for $600 that included a signet cartridge.   It has served me well over the years.  It was In Storage for about four years along with the rest of my system.  I recently unpacked everything, hooked it up and found that the turntable wasn't working.  I am faced with this dilemma, I can probably get the Thorens fixed.  Found some guys in the Philly area that work on them.  On the other hand it's almost 30 years old.  Is it worth getting it fixed or should I get a new one.  If you vote for new, give me some ideas as to what brands and models you would recommend of comparable quality.

My current system includes:

Krell KRC-3 pre, Krell KSA 200S amp, Parasound Z-Phono phono pre, Revel Performance F32 speakers and Ayre CD Player
128x128pipebro
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
No estimate yet.  Won't get one until I send it in.  Before I do that I'm going to replace the power cord in case that's the problem.  Tough to rate the Parasound.  I recently got it on audiogon and listened to it for about 15 minutes when I had the turntable working.

pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
P.S.  Thanks for the system compliment.  I really enjoy it because I love music.
kenwood61's avatar
kenwood61
26 posts
 
I would imagine you should be able to get your turntable fixed for $80 - 150, if it is someone that knows what they are doing. It doesn't necessarily have to be a shop, even though that helps. But, I have heard enough stories about shops that don't know what they are doing, to be careful about getting solid recommendations. You mentioned "sending" it in. I hope you don't plan on shipping the turntable to someone for an estimate, unless you pack the table extremely well, and know you will have the work done, no matter the estimate. Otherwise, you might be wasting money.

The cool thing about turntables, is vinyl is hot and here to stay for awhile. So that means there are many options on the market, but new and used. If you decide to replace your turntable, you can get some good deals on Rega tables. For the money, I don't think you can do better on new. I have my Dad's first turntable, an AR XA that has been modified with a Rega RB250 tonearm. That tonearm is rated the best value for it's sonic performance and price point. I bought a second one for the turntable I'm working on now.
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firberger
104 posts
 
Pipebro, Good Luck with the process. I vote fix, keep and buy another new one later . I am in the Philly suburbs and have looked for a local reliable vintage Thorens repair person/shop. Would appreciate hearing from you who you found to do the work . I have a beautiful restored TD160 by Chris Thornton between 10 and 12 years ago. It seems to have a grounding issue and have tried a number of trouble shooting methods,  from cables to grounding to a different phone pre but believe  it is the TT. I have no desire to take it apart myself. I get a moderate but distinct  HUM. Using a Rogue Sphinx v1.
pipebro's avatar
pipebro OP
32 posts
 
The Thorens repair shop I found is as follows:
BC Electronics
2346 Bristol Oxford Valley Road
Levittown Pa.
215-547-7600
I found them online.  They specifically work on Thorens turntables.  Too bad my turntable went bad after I moved from Pa.  Lived in Phoenixville for 11 years.  Also found a place called Vinyl Nirvana but he's not accept any new jobs until May.
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