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Smoothest and best sounding turntable/cartridge combo up to $1600??

As the title of the thread reads, I am looking for recommendation for the best and smoothest sounding turntable/cartridge combo up to $1600.  I am replacing a restored and recently upgraded Thorens TD-145 turntable with a Audio Technica brand new 440MLb cartridge. I am finding that floating suspension turntables require more isolation against floor vibration.  Other than that, the table is very good. 

I also would prefer a more contemporary design.

Note: I will probably put the the Thorens on sale after reading the comments and recommendations to this thread.  Thank you for your feedback  

sunnyjim
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

TO  STRINGREEN: Yes I am sure I could build such a isolation base, but I decided to buy an Aurelex vibration base from Music Direct ($79.00 which offers marginal improvement in sound. but footfalls still occur but less so ) Despite these minimal gains,  I am still not hearing  the benefits of this "upgraded Thorens TD145. It could be the limited headshell overhang adjustment, or that the Geo-Disc is not adequately calibrated for this type of headshell and tonearm  I am going to check those parameters again, especially since I  snapped in the AT 440MLb  stylus onto the body of the AT120E.  Unfortunately, the sound is still not as full as I expected in the midrange.

However,  a few reviews cautioned about this negative quality, and also that 50-75 hours will be needed for burn-in .  At this point, I am putting that particular problem on the back burner, and beginning to look for a new table. - A few members recommended either the Grado  Sonata,cartridge or the Denon 302MKII, ( low output of .035  requiring an out boarded phono box) but I am reluctant to put any more money into the project, and more or less have decided to lick my wounds and sell the table.with or without AT cartridge. I am just not hearing what I want, and I am done with this upgrade vintage BS..        

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,443 posts
 
I have a Nad c588 with Ortofon Blu. Got it for $700 veryhappy...list was 900 plus 200....$1,100...
aberyclark
1,356 posts
 
Get a Technics 1200/1210 GR and a Ortofon RED. Then upgrade the cartridge as you get funds. The Technics will last a lifetime
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Sunnyjim, you are unlikely to fine a better turntable than the Thorens in the price range you are looking. You are much better off spending the money on a new cartridge. There are many ways to deal with the foot fall problem. The first is a wall mounted shelf. Next is you can remove the bottom cover and slide some foam between the coils of the springs adding dampening to the suspension. Also cartridge compliance will have an effect but I am not sure how. It depends on the resonance frequency of the Thoren's suspension. Ideally, it should be down around 2 Hz. When you press firmly on the platter it should bounce twice every second. If it is bouncing faster it might start interacting with the tonearms resonance frequency which depends on the effective mass of the tonearm along with the weight and compliance of the cartridge. Putting a stiffer cartridge might stop the problem altogether. Your AT is listed at 10 X 10-6 cm/dyne.
Look for a cartridge at say 8 X 10-6 cm/dyne.  That is going to be hard to find in a MM cartridge. Soundsmith might make one. Not sure. There are many MC cartridges but you would have to have a step up devise. 
I would try the foam damping first and if it works go for a High Output Soundsmith or a Clearaudio MM cartridge. The Grados and Ortofons may be too compliant for your arm. I just had a brilliant Idea! Get a Nagaoka MP500. It is a fabulous cartridge for the money and it has a compliance of 8.5 X 10-6 cm/dyne. Read the reviews!  Get that, dampen the springs and save $800:)
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I hope he has something else now, this thread is from 2016 !
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