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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
ei001h
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,568 posts
 
To the OP, I am running the Technics SL1200G with a a Mac C2500 and MC302 amp.  The Technics is the best turntable to grace my system. Previously, I had a VPI Prime, VPI Scout, VPI HW III and a Rega Planer 3. The Technics is the best of the bunch and if you just want to listen to records, it is a set and forget turntable. 
ei001h OP
300 posts
 
Has anyone compared luxman to technics? The price difference, for me, isn’t significant for the aforementioned models.
What phono stage are people using for technics that would best mac c2600 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Technics tonearm on SL1200G is really good one, vta on the fly, removable headshell, optional subweights. If you really need a $4k tonearm you can remove Technics stock tonearm, order custom armboard and buy Reed 3P tonearm or something else. The drive on SL1200G is one of the best you can get!

In my opinion all those KAB mods was made for older $500 technics turntables, you don’t have to deal with is if you have top of the line SL1200G. 




mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
You can always add weight to the magic wand. Thorens tonearm bearings are excellent. Low compliance cartridges dominate the Japanese market so they put boat anchors on all their tables. They also have a thing for S shaped arms. It must be because they can't pronounce their R's. 
The only thing you can say about the Technics is that they are well made and slick looking and pretty cheap which is why people fall for them.
Americans love cheap well made garbage. Well, maybe not so well made in most cases. Buy American. SOTA is working on a tonearm by the way. They are running out of OEM manufacturers.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
If you had asked that question in 1980s, the answer would have been much easier. Either.

These days, I'd go with Technics. Thorens does not look like TD 126 Mk III anymore. On the other hand, no Thorens looked like TD 126 Mk III then, either.
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