Thread: Thorens and Pioneer TT Question

I am going get back into vinyl. I am going the vintage route. I have a chance to buy a 1970's Thorens TD-145 with a cheap Ortofon Red cartridge. It has been serviced and comes with upgraded modern RCA's. The local guy that is selling it will warranty it for 90 days and give free life time labor (he buys and fixes old TT's). He will let me take it home for 2 weeks to see if I like it. He wants $300 or $225 without the cartridge.

My other option is a 1970's Pioneer PL-55x. It is a direct drive model that sold for about $250 back then. It is also in excellent condition. I can pick this up from another local guy for $150.

What do you guys think about these two TT's? I am leaning to the Thorens.

I plan on upgrading the cartridges to an Ortofon Bronze, about $400. My phono preamp is a cheap tube Bellari VP-129 that a friend gave me which I plan on modifying by upgrading the op amps, tube and a couple of caps. Eventually I plan on getting a Pro-Ject phono tube box IIse phono preamp.

If I find that I enjoy vinyl again, I will eventually give this set up to my son and drop about $4K on a new analog system. Right now I have a couple of hundred LP's from my college days in the 1970's and early 80's.

vinyl rules!!!
id take the old thorens and throw your own cart on it. like ortofon, grado also makes some inexpensive yet good cartridges of all priceranges.

I'd say the Thorens too or if you can find one local, something like a Technics SL-1600 series or similar.

If you can do it, also budget $400-500 for an RCM like a VPI 16.5 and some cleaning fluids/brushes. The RCM will do wonders for your current LP collection.

There is Vinyl in the house! I took home the Thorens on a trial basis. It is in excellent condition. The only problem is my wood floors. The TT is on my stereo rack with about 260lbs of gear but the spring suspension is bouncy just walking by it. Otherwise it sounds awesome with the cheap Ortofon Red cartridge.

I also took a look at the Pioneer PL-55x. It is in mint condition and is extremely well made, more so than the Thorens. It sits on a heavy metal chassis and it has a more forgiving suspension system. I may have to go with it over the Thorens.