TT Recommendation

[George Hincapie]

Long time no see, hope you're all well.

Last year I had my wife's Thorens TT restored by a friend. He did the best job he could replacing and repairing what was needed and built a really nice plinth from oak and ply. Sadly it's unreliable and I've had my fill.

I'm looking for suggestions for a fuss free high performing TT. Considering a Michell GyroDec, but grateful for suggestions.

Many Thanks,

John

[antonio66]

Welcome back George, and yes I'm well having just returned to the uk. I saw this yesterday, maybe a little more than you want to spend, but a damn good tt. https://www.eliteaudiouk.com/product-pa ... -psu-black
For a trouble free experience https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313791312226 ... SwjkZg2aWs (don't be jumping in at that price though, they do come up cheaper) or https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275106857434 ... Sw5Gdh3qxu

[George Hincapie]

Hey John, good to see you're still around.

You will get plenty of advice here about TT's and certainly anything from Rega is a safe bet, according to budget.

My turntable adventures started up again about a year ago with a Pro-ject Debut 2 (which I wouldn't recommend) but I did then seriously consider their X1 turntable as an upgrade.



I have ended up refurbishing my old Logic DM101, which is a monster.
and further, I recommend Grado cartridges which are providing me with great enjoyment.

Oh, and the Gyrodec is a classic!

[Lindsayt]

Which Thorens is it? And how is it unreliable?

Most Thorens are about as complex as a bicycle.


If your Thorens is BER (Beyond Economical Repair), the value in TT's is in well engineered idlers and direct drives. Bought at the right price for what they are and the condition they are in.

Well engineered idlers including Thorens 124, Garrard 301, 401, Lenco, EMT 930, 927. Well engineered DD's being Japanese and the odd German midrange to top of the range from the 1970's and 1980's. The heavy metallic stuff. Not the lightweight plastic rubbish.

[TheMarlin]

Nottingham Audio turntables turn up on Hifi sites at a decent price. Maybe £600 -£900.
They’re fabulously engineered.

GyroDecs are good, but most GryoDec owners spend a hell of a lot on upgrades, they’re far from perfect.

For fuss free, the Technics SL is actually a good shout. Can be had cheaper than the link above.

[karatestu]

LP12. You know you want to.

[NSNO2021]

Welcome back John, all the Rega TTs are fuss free and decent value for money but I wouldn't buy one with their cartridges as they are poor value. If I had a windfall I would buy myself a PTP Solid 9 or 12 with a Blackbird tone arm and a fancy Benz Micro MC cartridge. I think the previous comment on Nottingham Audio and Technics was a very good one. What ever you do choose please keep us posted

[NSNO2021]

Best value - vintage - buy a Lenco 75 for around £100 and send it to Vinyl-Ant for a check over, heavy plinth and better arm. Ant may have some donor units already.

New - hard to beat the Technics. I have a soft spot for the Well Tempered decks, also.

I owned a Gyro with LPSU upgrade for a couple of years. I admired it but never loved it I found the imaging to be a bit weird. Try before you buy

[CN211276]

LP12. You know you want to.

[antonio66]

Best value - vintage - buy a Lenco 75 for around £100 and send it to Vinyl-Ant for a check over, heavy plinth and better arm. Ant may have some donor units already.

New - hard to beat the Technics. I have a soft spot for the Well Tempered decks, also.

I owned a Gyro with LPSU upgrade for a couple of years. I admired it but never loved it I found the imaging to be a bit weird. Try before you buy

I should have mentioned my Lenco purchased off Ant, very happy with it even though I have not heard it for quite sometime due to being away.