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Seeking Turntable Advice

Hi TT mavens: I'm lookong for some turntable advice. Actually, it's for two stereo systems -- one is my son's and the other is mine.

In my son's case, his equipment is very basic, to wit: an ARC SP-9, a Crown DC-150A2, a pair of "starter" Rega speakers, an old CD player and my old Thorens TD 160 Mk II that I bought in the mid-70s. I need advice regarding the the Thorens TT.

Specifically, the TT has NEVER been serviced since I bought it, but it runs. There is a hum in one channel. My question is whether it makes sense to put any money into restoring the TD 160 or should I bronze and donate it a stereo museum?? If the former, are there any upgrades or improvements that I should think about? Also, any thoughts about who could do the work?? I live in the greater Philly area. If the latter, any suggestions for a new TT and cartridge for my son?? Perhaps a used Rega, e.g.,an old P1 or P2.

In my case, ironically, I have maybe 75 to 100 old records (many of which are scratched) that I acquired in the 70s and 80s. My system is centered around a CD player. I have tons of CDs, so I don't think I want to go crazy with a TT. By way of background, my rigs is made up of the following equipment: ARC Ref CD-7 CD player, an ARC Ref 3 preamp, an ARC VS 115 power amp and Paradigm S8s (v.2 with the Be tweeter - unreal!!) and the Paradigm Signature Servo sub.

Personally, although I like vinyl and am willing to buy more if I come a cross a great platter, I believe that CDs are here to stay. Further, I think that SACD or some other high-def digital format is coming. With that said, what advice do you have for me regarding a TT (used is ok) and cartridge. As regards a phono pre amp, I would like to stay with ARC, but can go cheap on a phono pre amp for the time being.

Sorry for the long message. Thanks for the advice!! BIF

bifwynne
hi_hifi
120 posts
 
There are usually a few Linn LP-12 turntables and Ittok tone arms listed on Agon.

Here is one, for example:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1298145699&/Linn-LP12-with-Ittok-See-Photo; it has a slightly older style dust cover.

This example fits roughly within your budget - although this one would need a cartridge; you could start with a moving magnet and move to a moving coil (like the Shelter ) later depending on what you perceive to be the value from the first step. I think with your ARC gear you could easily resovle the audible differences of good/better/top shelp analog gear.

Linn's come in lots of different evolutionary configurations; don't know how hard it would be to find a Cirkus level unit within your price range but it's worth exploring. In general, you can't go too wrong with a Linn LP-12; there is always a re-sale market for them - but it would be hard to imagine wanting to sell one after listening to it in a good system. It's a classic (as is the Ittok).

Let us know what you wind up doing.

Good luck.
lewm
13,134 posts
 
The hum is probably due to a poor ground somewhere. Sometimes it is beneficial, as someone else said, to ground the tt to the preamp; sometimes not. The tonearm also may or may not need to be grounded. And cartridges usually do not hum unless the hum is due to interaction of the cartridge with the tt motor. This happens with some Grados, but not to many others. There is probably nothing at all wrong with the TD160 per se. Acquire a cheap strobe device to check speed. If you find it is off-speed, possibly a new belt is needed, at most.

Several of your preconceptions are open to question: (1) CDs and hi-rez disc formats like SACD are no longer "coming". Instead, they are going. SACD is hanging on by its teeth and the other hi-rez format (DVD-A) is pretty dead already. The coming digital technology is downloads via your computer; (2) You mention that you don't think you could buy a used cartridge. Used cartridges are all over the place and you can buy a low mileage one on Agon and save a great deal of money.

There are a myriad of choices in a new/used tt and phono stage. It would help if you could state your budget. However, with all due respect to the Linn LP12, it would not be my choice for someone like yourself. It is a very fiddly device; you have to sort of love the ritual that goes with ownership. Also, since it is suspended chassis type, you need a really good support system. (Actually that goes for any tt.) I think you would do better with a mass-loaded unsprung tt, either direct-drive or belt-drive.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Thanks to all for the great advice. I'm trying to apply as much as I can. Per Elevick's advice, I found an Audiogoner who does vintage Thorens TT repairs. He will service my son's TD 160 Mk II for a very fair fee. Per Lewm's advice, I picked up a USED Grado Sonata. I should receive the Sonata early next week. I'll report back as soon as I get a listen.

I would also like to pick up on Lewm's comments about CD and other so called "hi rez" media formats. Specifically, Lewm wrote that "SACD is hanging on by its teeth and the other hi-rez format (DVD-A)is pretty dead already. The coming digital technology is downloads via your omputer . . . ."

Lewm, you may be right. Admittedly I do not understand the technology behind the various digital media formats. However, one thing I DO understand quite well is whether the media in question (e.g., CD, vinyl, etc) sounds good on my rig. IMHO, one of the biggest barriers goes to the quality of the recording and mastering.

Do you think computer downloads, from a practical and commercial perspective, will be well recorded and mastered or, alternatively, packaged for "the kids" for playback on porta-players??
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Oh, btw to all: Sincere wishes for a Merry X-Mas and Happy New year.
lewm
13,134 posts
 
Dear Bifwayne, I have no personal experience of computer downloaded music in my own system, but I have heard it elsewhere in very good systems. The idea is to download to a high quality outboard DAC (digital to audio converter). Via the DAC upsampling, you can get very very hi-rez recordings and you can store them in a dedicated hard drive, if you wish. This technology is competitive with good vinyl, as far as I can tell, although good vinyl reproduction continues to have that je ne c'est quoi. As you may know CD sales have been dropping like a stone for the last several years due to junk like MP3, etc. But this new stuff will appeal to true audiophiles.
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