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Technics or Thorens, need suggestions

I've been looking to get into Analog for quite some time now. So long that I've been collecting Vinyl with a dream of finally getting a nice TT.  Analog is an uncharted territory for me. I've been researching on my free time and have come up with a couple possibilities. 

Thorens TD 1600 
Technics 1200G

Budget is around 3-5k without a cartridge . I have Mcintosh C2600 which I intend to use for phono. 

I like the aesthetics of Thorens much more than Technics. 

My research showed that Technics is a superb TT for the price. How do these two compare? 

my systems: Mcintosh MC452/C2600/Sonus Faber Elipsa
                     mastersound 845 integrated/ diapason adamantes 3
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noromance's avatar
noromance
10,196 posts
 
Technics. I've not heard the Thorens but it's like asking to recommend a BMW M5 or a Maserati Quattroporte.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
This is what inside that Thorens. Yet another overpriced belt drive. 

Buy yourself a Technics "G" and forget about any other turntables. If you're comparing them by the pictures in the internet then you have to see and touch that SL1200G in real life. 

if wooded frame is what you like on Thorens then you have to look for Technics SP10R and some nice custom made wooden plinth. But it will be out of your budget. An alternative for lower budget (but not lower quality) is another vintage Direct Drive turntables (made in Japan), maybe Technics SP10 mkII.

My favorite is Luxman PD-444 and i prefer it over Technics. You can definitely find it under $4K with tonearms, spare armboards and including shipping. I have two of them and this is my reference! 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Absolutely the Thorens if you don't like listening to oscillating eddy currents and other direct drive artifacts. The Thorens will also have a much more flexible tone arm on it. The one on the Technics is a boat anchor. If you plan on using a high compliance moving magnet cartridge like the Ortofon  2M back you have no choice. It is much easier to add mass than it is to take it away.
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