Any opinions on the Thorens TD 148a

Jay73, It is an excellent turntable for the money. It is isolated which is very important. There are a few qualms I have with the tonearm but they are minor. It does not have as stable a suspension as a Sota or SME so it does need to be on a solid immovable surface. So situated it will handle foot falls very well. With a matching cartridge feedback will not be a problem. This is a lot of turntable for the money.

Dear Jay73, thank you for sharing your experiences. I have had a Dual 1019 for 51 years (!) now without any noticable issues sofar but its time to move on. The only thing that made me curious is the info from the following URL,

https://theaudiophileman.com/thorens-td-240-2-turntable-review/

Thanks agian and have a good weekend. The Netherlands

I completely forgot about this thread.

Well, I ended up getting a Mofi Studio Deck with a Hana SL MC.

So far, so good. 

Sorry I can't provide any input on the Thorens as I did not get it.

Thnx

Thorens took the base chassi and automatics from the TD240-2, and put it into a solid high-quality MDF-frame. They upgraded the motor, the electronic control circuits for the motor, internal wiring and contacts, added a glass platter on top that is heavier and more resonance free than the aluminium platter of the TD240-2, and they made a new tonearm. The armtube is from the acclaimed TP92 (as used in the high-end TD1600/1601), resonance damped and of full aluminium. Then they made a spring loading tracking force, similar idea as the TP19-1 tonearm on the TD240-2, but the tonearm on the TD148A is not simply a TP19-1 with the armtube from the TP92. The gimbala construction, bearings, counterweight etc are of much higher quality - so lower friction and lower resonances. 
All in all it's a very upgraded TD240-2 and a good choice if one wants a full automatic turntable with great sound quality. It do sounds very musical with Thorens easy-going flow to the music. Not as high-energetic full on and forward sound as a Rega, but musical, highly entertaining and very pleasing. 
It sells now with the Ortofon 2M Blue included and this is a good combination, the 2M Blue matches the turntable very well. And better cartridges, can of course be used. 
I have the TD309 full manual, it has the edge on sonics - as full manuals for similar price as a full automatic has, but the TD148A is a very good sounding full automatic. 

@raphaelmabo,

Thanks for your input, that information is good to know.