A plethora of turntables - help needed!


So my son managed to jump and land on my old Thorens TD 145, so I’m now in the position to buy a new turntable. I was (ironically) going to live with the Thorens until the kids moved out and I could get a Linn LP12.

I own two amplifiers: Rega Brio 2 and NAD 3020 and a pair of Proac Tablette 50 Signature speakers, though I am willing to get new/bigger speakers as well.

I’ve narrowed down my turntable options to these (currently available with prices):

Systemdek IIX (Ortofon OM 10)
$465

Linn Axis (Basik Plus tonearm)
$400

Linn Basik (Akito tonearm)
$150

Thorens TD280 MKII (Linn K9)
$290

Rega Planar3 (Linn K5)
$380

Thorens TD2001 (Sure V15 MVR)
$464

Braun PS-500
(Auction)

Thorens TD166 mkii (Goldring)
(Auction)

I prefer a neutral sound, the less fuss the better. Any help from this sub is most appreciated!
farbrorseb
Jump and land on it? Olympic material?

Any of the older Thoren TD121-166 MKII (smaller foot print), add the tone arm you like with an adaptor. The Stock tone arms on Thoren are usually pretty good. Just a little tune up here and there.

ALL the stuff to turn them from good to a great TT is under 200.00 for everything. If you're a DIY 50.00. A fancy plinth is 2-400.00 or make your own.. I keep a cool 6-12 on hand just to fool with.

I usually get 2 good ones from 3 bad ones. Close...:-)

Regards
Is crash landing an Olympic sport now? ;)
I’ve had no luck finding a good deal on a TD-1XX, I’d love to own a TD-124!

I’m talking to the guy who’s selling the TD-2001. OK - it doesn’t have the fab looks of the older Thorens but it has a small footprint and the model seems to be praised and acknowledged as a serious deck that can give the newer TD-350, and the older TD-160 as well as the Linn LP12 a match. Pity it is too far away so I can’t test/hear it out first. But for sub $400 it seems like a bargain.

Would be fantastic to get some insight from someone on the forum.
I’ve used and had just about every light TT ever made.. Linn has something to work with. I’ve only found a FEW I really didn’t like they were always automatics..

BUT I do have a great time with Zero 100. I can make that pile of dung work perfect. It never EVER got close to sounding good, but I can sure make one work in about 30 minutes.. I have a few all polished up.. I’m not much of a Garrard fan. I have a 401 50hz and had a few 301s..

Click my page you’ll see a Russco.. I call them Garrard Killers... I keep 2-6 around for projects.. I love them...

Thoren 121-124s excellent I have a few that I actually use.. I think they are the best, hands down of ALL the oldies..

AR too, what a great design.. Very simple.. Wonderful TTs. The Tonearm was the challenge on ARs.. After market would fix one right up..

Regards
I have the Linn Basik / Akito in one of my systems and love it. That's a bargain price. The VM750SH Shibata cart I'm using really makes it sing. Haven't had any issues with it in all the years I've had it.