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How does a Thorens 126 compare to a Michell Gyrodec? I know Michell has great gear and is wonderful to look at. Thorens I only know vaguely.
I don't play vinyl myself and I had this question from a friend who wants to buy a turntable second hand since his is broken.
The Michell is almost twice the price of the Thorens. Is it much better? How much?Thanks in advance,
Follow Ups:
Is the Michell second hand?If so, how old, and which version?
The Michell is second hand, but quite expensive. It's less than a year old and not much used. The owner eventually decided he wanted the Orbe. Since it's only a year old I presume it's the latest model.regards,
I think that it is safe to say now that the Thorens 126 is a good turntable. The difference with the Gyrodec will not be huge, although it may be there. Maybe I should have mentioned that he plays with Audiostatics full-range electrostats.* The MKII is apparently the best version. I would have to look out for that one.
What would a fair price be for it, in good condition?* The MKIII is less desirable. But is it still worthwhile? Is the difference with the MKII that big?
What would a fair price be for it, in good condition?* If there is a MKII and a MKIII, what about a MKI. Does it exist and is it any good?
What would a fair price be for it, in good condition?Thank you all for your help,
Hi,I have the Thorens 126 and have had a number of the more recent hi-fi turntables as well. The stock 126 arm is a carbon arm, the TP-63. In my opinion, the TP-63 is not a great arm, but it is pretty good. I have matched it with the Audio Technica OC-9 and it sounds fabulous.
The stock 126 has one HUGE advantage over all the modern turntables: it is a true fully automatic table. I think there are also 126s out there with better arms than the stock, which are also automatics, but I have not found one. If you see a fully-automatic with a better arm, BUY IT!
I do not care what any geek-boy has to say: leaping up at the end of the record to pull up the sylus just SUCKS, it REALLY REALLY SUCKS!!!
The Gyrodec will have you leaping up at the end of each side.
And, yes, I know, theoretically, you can let the stylus run in the run-out groove without hurting the stylus, BUT it is still ALWAYS annoying to hear that sound in the background (a constant reminder of a task not done).
Let's face it, the modern manual tables are a real pain in the ass. By contrast, a fully-functional 126 is a breeze to operate, listen to, and, yes, forget about.
That said, if you don't mind leaping up at the end of the record (and your lady/man friend doesn't mind either), then the modern tables probably have a marginally more controlled sound. I wouldn't say quieter or more musical, just more precise.
So, you are comparing apples and oranges. If you plan on having sex and listening to records (and cannot precisely time your groove to that of the record), then the Thorens 126 is the better option.
But, if you want to focus more on the record and table (nothing wrong with that, just a different groove), then a modern table is better. Many inmates here will have very informed opinions about which cart to match with the Gyrodec.
best
brixton77
I did not think about the "manual or automatic" question. I think this might be an important issue for my friend. His old turntable was an automatic, that I know. Good to know, thanks!Regards,
i'd say the mitchell has the edge in black background and general neautrality. But i love my thorens 126.
Thanks!
What is meant by "black background"? As you see, I am a vinyl ignorant...Do you have a "guide-price" for a Thorens 126 in good condition?
I owned the Michell with a Rega RB250 re-wired by Expressimo and included the Expressimo "heavy weight". The cartridge is a Denon DL103R and is now installed in my TD126 MKII (not MKIII).To my ears, the TD126 MKII with stock tonearm and the DL103R sounds as good as the Michell and in some cases a tad better. But again, this is to "my ears", in my system and listening environment. I would still own the Michell but wanted other equipment and had it been noticeably superior I would have kept it. The TD126 MKII provides me with very satisfying sound and the Michell was expendable as a result.
Inmates, this is my personal opinion only so please, no flames.
Regards,
Doug Olsen
Thank you for your reply.
Forgive me my ignorance, but I know very little of turntables, having only a tuner and CD player in my system...The comparison you make is between the Michell Gyrodec and the Thorens TD126, both with the same cartdridge? And in that case you prefer the Thorens? Is the tonearm in both cases of big impact, i.e. the Thorens is with a stock tonearm and the Michell with a better one?
What does the MKII and MKIII refer to? Is it a big difference? How can we tell which one it is?
regards,
Yes, the cartridge was on the Michell and the Thorens. I imagine that an aftermarket tonearm like the SME3009 II would take the Thorens up another level versus the unit with a stock tonearm. But I am happy with it just as it is.The TD126 MKIII uses a DC 72-pole tacho-generator drive motor while the TD126 MKII uses the 16-pole AC synchronous motor. Many feel the AC motor in the TD126 MKII is better because the AC motor is driven by an internal oscillator and an AC power amplifier output stage.
According to a former Thorens employee and product guru, who knows these turntables very well, the "Mk III version uses a small cheap DC motor" and are the most common. The TD126 MKII is one to "hold for life" as it is "one of the most rare TD126 versions". I am only quoting what I was advised in a private email.
Thanks to user510 here on the asylum, you can read a lot about Thorens at: http://www.theanalogdept.com/thorens_dept_.htm
I am not trying to talk you out of a Michell, it is a wonderful turntable. For me however, it was an equal tradeoff with the TD126 MKII so I sold the Michell to raise money for other toys.
Just a tuner and CD player? You need a turntable :-) too.
Regards,
Doug Olsen
Wow, thanks for the info!I will be able to view the Thorens this week. Will I be able to recognize which version it is? Does it actually say "MKII" or "MKIII" on the turntable itself?
A turntable for myself, I know... One day it will happen. I just upgraded my system buying revised and upgraded Quad II monoblock tube-amplifiers. The next upgrade will have to wait some time now...
regards,
It will say on the right front top, MKII or MKIII. You may want to contact the seller before you make a trip and ask which it is. It's your choice but I recommend the MKII.Hopefully the turntable will be available to demo it. When you see it, listen carefully to the motor without the belt on and with the belt on for any motor bearing noise. Also spin the small inner platter (its a two piece platter) freehand and listen carefully for any platter bearing noise ie scraping or grinding. If there is noise from the motor and it is not too bad, lubing may get rid of it. Same with platter noise because the bearing can be cleaned and re-lubed.
Then be sure to check all auto functions as well as the speed in all three selections. You can see this thru the strobe window on top. The seller most likely can show you how to micro adjust speed.
The last thing to check is the tonearm while playing a record. You want to see if there is a short in it. You also want to verify that there is no horizontal or vertical movement at the tonearms pivot (is the bearing tight). Hold it across the top above the pivot with one hand and with the other hand gently move the arm tube front to rear and up and down. You don't want any slop. Good luck and I hope you make a great buy.
Regards,
Doug Olsen
Thanks, this is very helpful. Now at least, I know what to look for. Makes me want to buy one myself...regards,
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