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Upgrade Opinions, Thorens vs VPI

I'm looking to possibly upgrade to a better turntable.

My current setup is a Thorens TD166 MKII with the original tp11 tonearm. The table has a few mods including a solid cherry plinth and birch bottom with sorbothane feet. It also came with the 10mm spindle bearing, same one used on the TD160.

Amp: Rogue audio Sphinx 
Preamp: MM preamp built into the Sphinx
Cartidge: Shure M97xe with SAS stylus
Speakers: Monitor Audio Silver 8

The components listed above are my recent upgrades. I now think my table is due for an upgrade. 

I am considering installing a Jelco SA750D tonearm on my Thorens, since the tonearm is likely the weakest performing part of the table, or going with a completely new table.

I am considering the following tables:

Rega Planar 3 (possibly not a big leap?)

Rega RP8

VPI Classic 1 

Acoustic Signature Wow XL with Rega arm.

I am leaning toward the VPI, partly because I really like its look, but I do want the best sounding table under $3000 (subjective I know). Overall, I'm pleased with the current sound from my Thorens, so maybe the best bang for my buck would be a new tonearm. Some members have claimed that a Debut Carbon will blow the doors of a TD166, but in my personal experience, it's the opposite. So I'm thinking I'd probably need to spend over 1K for a real sonic upgrade over my Thorens.

Anyone have experience with VPI tables versus Thorens TD16X series? Any advice is welcome.
helomech
sancho22
106 posts
 

I am with stewart0722 above. I own the Prime with Ortofon Cadenza Black with the Phoenix engineering system and upgraded (HRX I think?) record clamp, double pulley. Sounds really great and with the 3D arm it is hard to beat. You don't have to go crazy with the cartridge but a good one makes  a huge difference.

Now I also own a nicely, but not fully restored TD-124 with SME 3009 arm which was rewired. It has a Denon 103 and a nice plinth - all in equals the price of the Ortofon (which I got with a very significant discount). Comparing the two tables from this perspective I would say that the TD-124 (MK-I) stands the test of time.

raymonda
855 posts
 
The Thorens TD 850 is a different beast. It was made by Acoustic Signature and is built like a tank. It is a non-suspended table that absolutely has no resemblance to their sprung tables.

Stock this tables was very good. What I've done to it has elevated it to another level.

That being said, comparing it to my maxed out and modded 150 is not night and day. However, the devil is in the details. 

I could live happily forever with each table. But I am on a limited budget, so mega buck tables are out. They compete with tables in the 5000 range.

These units will play nicely with high end components and will tell you what is happening both up and down stream.

Now,  this is not a path that everyone would or should take as it requires an added skill set to achieve, as well as time. A quicker route would be to buy a Prime and be done with it. I can't imagine ever looking back and regretting that purchase. Although, the personal achievement and satisfaction would not compare when creating something on your own. Or at least, pretty much on your own.

Designing, cutting, drilling, finishing is not factored into the enjoyment of a straight out purchase.

Pride in creating can be of high value when the end results pay off.
stewart0722
184 posts
 
Honing a person's woodworking skills should not be spent on a turntable.......leave that for the custom rack.....

Noone can build a prime, nor something that would compete head to head with a 3D tonearm, and be that the fact, the whole pride of ownership thing because someone built something sort of goes out the window.....

The Prime obliterates anything south of 6K in my opnion....especially when you factor in that you can get a significant discount on one......

The pride of ownership will be there......even though you didn't manufacture it in your garage.....
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,368 posts
 
I would get a better cartridge....a turntable upgrade is spinning your wheels
raymonda
855 posts
 
So, building a better plinth is a waste of time? Modifying and building upon an already existing design is also a waste of time?

 That flies in the face of logic because without such activity progress would never occur. Nothing is perfect and everything can be improved upon.

i have no doubt the a stock Prime is an excellent product but that does not make other products less so and a waste of time.

As I indicated, it is when individual creativity and an excellent outcome converge which creates pride in ownership, not just work. Work with out results is just work. Work with results equals pride!

Please reread my post. At no time did I disparage VPI, but rather, I have praised them. My input was to highlight a road less traveled but just as rewarding. Obviously it is not for you but it is for hundreds others.

I would agree that money spent on a great cartridge and phono pre will give tremendous value and should not be taken lightly.


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