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
ei001h
Hi,
i fancy tts with suspension i prefer them over mass alone.
1200G is an improved design to its predecessor with much less motor cogging and a better constructed arm but still inferior to the one that Thorens supply.
Both are excellent tts, more solidity and speed with Technics more balance and air with Thorens.
TD6001 is even fancier with the electronic arm lifter.
You have to listen at both yourself, don't buy something only from suggestions or interviews.

Noromance, I have nothing against Technics. I think they make a great cartridge for the money. I dislike all direct drive turntables because every last one I have ever heard on a system I deemed to be excellent sounded less than stellar and that includes older SP 10s. (Have not heard the newest version so I can't comment on it.) 
There are so many excellent belt drives out there with wow and flutter specs down around 0.03%. The SP 10 is 0.015%. If you think you can hear the difference then you need to take Michael Fremer's place on the staff of Stereophile. 
Ill get a dedicated phono sometime later, so I'm not restricted to Mac for a long time. Any comments on luxman vs. technics vs. thorens? Also please consider the prices I can get on Luxman and technics. 
I heard the Thorens TD1600 at a show September last year (please let there be one this year!), and it sounded excellent through some all beryllium driver vintage Yamaha NS1000s. I remember posting on here some of my impressions (low noise and huge dynamics) from that show. 

The Thorens TD1600 also looked classically beautiful, re-appropriating and I daresay even improving their own original design over that one later infamously 'borrowed' by Linn for their LP12.

Possibly still most iconic look in audio.

In earlier times the Thorens would have been a no-brainer. It simply trounces the stylish Technics if seen as furniture.

Some information on the 1600/1601 here from tnt audio's scribe, the one and only Mark Wheeler. 

https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/thorens_td1600_1601_e.html

Having said all of that it's very very difficult to go against the technical phenomena that is the Technics 1200G.

I think this is a classic heart versus head decision.

Since I'm somewhat less sentimental than I used to be, I'd get the Technics.


$2.5k for the G. Buy it. Use it. Don’t like it? Sell for what you paid at least!