Which would you keep VPI or Thorens

NJBOB · « **on:** 9 Jun 2007, 05:03 pm »

I now have two great sounding rigs set up and cant figure which to keep.
Thorens 125 MKII (Mint) with SME III (Mint even has working damping trough)
VPI 19 MKIII with Sama and AQ PT6 arm.

They both are excellent and dead quite, I would say the difference I hear is the VPI is more dead on(seems more control on the music) and the Thorens more musical. Very tough trade off. Also with the VPI I have both Springs or Sorbothane pucks. right now I'm using the pucks (TT is on its own stand) If i went to a wall mount I would go to springs.

My thoughts are sell the thorens and buy a better arm for the VPI. or sell the VPI and buy anther high end cartrige and records or sell both and buy somthing even better.

Whats your thoughts
Thanks
Bob

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 05:54 pm »

great answer!

Riding that Litespeed must clear your head

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 07:21 pm »

I've owned the Thorens TD-316 and own the HW-19 Mk. III.

Clean your main bearing and platter spindle thoroughly and add Tufoil to both. The difference will be momentous on the Thorens and slight on the VPI. The VPI starts life out with higher quality bearings (better tolerence, likely). Once you do that the differences in s/n or 'quietness' should be a lot slimmer. You can decide which to toss then

However, my VPI sits idle for the past year - capably replaced by a JVC QL-F6 bought used on ebay for $100.00. It has lots of Matsushita parts in it...as befits a company wholly owned by them. Matsushita also makes the aforementioned Technics deck.

NJBOB · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 07:39 pm »

I've already gone over both tables. When I say they are mint, I mean mint and maintained to their best. Thats why this is so hard.

WEEZ · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 08:16 pm »

It's a toss-up. Both are classics in their own right.

If it were me, I'd keep both

WEEZ

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Jun 2007, 11:20 pm »

It all depends on which cartridges you have/can get. The SME needs high compliance cartridges and is also a better tracker than a unipivot arm.

Always tyhink in terms of upgrade path...

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 01:50 am »

What do you want for the VPI, preferably without the arm? I'm asking both Physc and Chair since it's a shame to let those VPI's languish, unused.

Some would see this offer as a public service.

And think of the LP's you could buy with the proceeds!

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 04:43 pm »

I don't own a VPI.

Getting one w/o the arm and doing a few upgrades (like a DIY flywheel) could turn it into a mean, transparent record spinner. THe fundamentals are there...

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Jun 2007, 06:23 pm »

Sorry about that, I meant it for NJBOB.

You are correct that it is a great base for many upgrades.

That's why I want to save one of these from the closet.

jpv · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 08:31 pm »

Listen2tubes,

I have a HW-19 jr with a Premier FT-3 for sale if your interested.

Jpv