thorens or Rega

Why buy either? Both are mediocre for the money as tables. Plus Thorens went out of business months ago and will not be rescued. Spend a few more dollars for a real table from Michel or Basis with high quality motors and even upgrade paths for you. Or Music Hall will be introducing a new $1000 table/arm/cartridge package. Reason we don't sell rega is that they are prone to defects and we don't think they sound good for the money either.

"Audiovisionary" I see your "vision"as very biased.You're a dealer? You sell Basis and Music Hall?? You wouldnt carry Rega? Or you couldnt pick up the Rega line? Rega tables are prone to defects? Oh really? First time I ever heard that one.Rega tables actually are known to last for many years with no problems.Rega tables dont sound very good for the money? Again,first time I've heard that line also.So you are a dealer who bashes the competition.The stuff you sell is the best out there,right?? I think we have discussed "dealers" like you here before."Audiovisionary" thanks for your "vision"

The Rega 3 is a nice table.Much depends on what arm it has.Same with the Thorens.If you like the Thorens better then keep it and spend more on a better arm or cartridge.

Woops,last post was to Vivo by error.Rwillie,I would go with the Rega but try to find a RB-250 arm and have it modified.

Stay away from this particular Rega. In spite of my personal preference of the Planar 3 over the Thorens, this table had its arm transfered onto another deck and had the Linn arm stuffed on to replace it.The mounting geometries of the Rega and Linn arms is completely different and the result will be that proper cartridge alignment will be impossible with the combination. The only way that a Linn arm can be mounted to a Rega table is to insert a plug for the original mounting hole, peel away and replace the top laminate surface and re-drill.This is a questionable and difficult procedure that is not likely to have been performed.The seller either has no scruples or is completely ignorant of turntable setup.
Now back to your question- if you listen to a lot of piano or other pitch sensitive material, the Thorens is the better bet but a Rega Planar 3 is the better deck in rhythmic and expressive qualities.
As far as Audiovisionary's statement regarding quality issues with Rega,his would be an outright falsehood with Rega far superior to the Music Halls and ProJect tables in constancy and care in manufacture.