Dual or Thorens turntable best choice

[PTSOUNDLAB]

Hello,

I want to buy an old Dual or Thorens Turntable. I have seen differents models
For Dual:
504
CS522
601

What is the best choice for you ?

For Thorens:
TD105MKII
TD146
TD166 MKII
TD280MKII

What is the best choice for you ?


Thank you

Pascal.

[SuppersReady]

Hi Pascal,

I can't comment on the other decks you mentioned, but I recall getting some exciting music out of the Thorens you mentioned. I used it with a NAD 3150 and Kef Carina II speakers. It was a very dynamic combination.

Paul

[Mark25]

some, or maybe all, duals have a different cartridge fitting in the headshell, this seems to make a s/hand Shure V15 III cartridge a lot cheaper than a conventional fitting one, which may or may not be of interest to you.

[analog_sa]

I have very little enthusiasm for any of the tables in your list. The 146/166 are marginal - the rest are worse.

A Dual 701 is way better than any in your list and also very cheap. As for the Thorens i really only like the 125 (not Mk2) and the 124.

[PTSOUNDLAB]

Thank you for informations.

I will look at Dual 701 if it's better and very cheap (can you say me if it is technical or subjective reason for you ?)

Best Regards

Pascal.

[analog_sa]

technical or subjective reason

I have no particular interest in the measured parameters of turntables. If you care about this, few can compete with a Technics 1200.
As for subjective performance i currently have a 701, 124 and LP12 in daily use and a 301, 401, 126 sitting in cupboards. The Dual with a Denon 103 is every bit as enjoyable as the Linn/Ittok/Ortofon Kontrapunkt b. Whereas the Linn/Ortofon combo has deeper and wider soundstage and better frequency extremes, the Dual has better drive and pace and very possibly is also better on piano music. As for value - there is hardly much comparison.
Just my opinion.

[PTSOUNDLAB]

I have no particular interest in the measured parameters and I prefer to have subjective impressions and it's why I have ask you that.

The problem with good turntables is to find someone wich want to sell (and for a good price)

Thank you

Pascal.

[PsykoK]

Hi,

I take a very nice DUAL 606 for 3€ by Emaus
I think that the 606 is not so goodas a 505 or an other Thorens TT but for the price, it's the best TT of the world

The other way to have something for a good price is check www.ebay.de


Regards,

Alex

[PTSOUNDLAB]

Hello,

the problem with 606 is that is a direct drive (like 701 i think) and Direct Drive age as well as Belt Drive. With belt drive you can change belt and it's ok. But at this price is a good

I have found a Dual CS522 on ebay for 25€. It's a good turntable and for 22€ I have found a new needle in Germany. With a special adapter this turntable can accept any cartrige. I will tweak the case soon.

I like Thorens 125 and 124 but I have a sentimental reason to buy a Dual.
For less than 100€ I will have a good turntable in good condition with new parts good tweak and buy a turntable is a good thing which I recommend to do.

I will use it with a good tube preamplifier, tube amplifier and full range driver, .... that is all happiness ("que du bonheur")

Cordialy

Pascal.

[Jim Karr]

I've owned both Dual and Thorens.
My first real quality table was a Dual 1225, vintage 1978 or 1979, with a Stanton Cartridge. I really liked it, and one really nice thing was the way the tonearm was suspended.

The mounting springs on the tonearm provided "dynamic" tracking, which meant (not that you'd ever do this) you could lift up the table during play, and the arm would continue to track flawlessly, no matter what angle you held the table off the stand.

Eventually, my electronics improved so I could hear the rumble from the friction idler drive through the platter, and I moved onto the Thorens.

My Thorens was a TD160B, belt drive, blank arm mounting upon which I installed an Infinity Black Widow arm. What a cool arm!!

My cartridges of choice were AT30 moving coil, (bass was a bit boomy) and a Shure V15 w/ Micro-ridge tip. What a phenomenal combination. No rumble, speed was very constant, sound was excellent.

A few years ago, the AC drive motor went to hell, and now the Thorens collects dust in my basement because a replacement motor is $100.