Thoughts on an Inexpensive Turntable for A Second System

jeff1225

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2012
3,007
3,247
1,410
51
I'm looking to add a turntable to my living room mid-century modern system that is based around a pair of Bose 901's. This system is used for background music and for when people (non-audiophiles) visit. The table needs to be $2000 or less and have a mid-century look to please the wife. Here's what I'm thinking:
  1. Linn LP12
  2. Empire Turntable
  3. Thorens 125 or equivalent.
The question for WBF members is are there any other classic vintage tables I should look at? I don't care if the table is belt or direct, it just needs to perform well and look cool.

Thanks!
 

hogen

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2018
138
100
148
Oslo, Norway
I'm looking to add a turntable to my living room mid-century modern system that is based around a pair of Bose 901's. This system is used for background music and for when people (non-audiophiles) visit. The table needs to be $2000 or less and have a mid-century look to please the wife. Here's what I'm thinking:
  1. Linn LP12
  2. Empire Turntable
  3. Thorens 125 or equivalent.
The question for WBF members is are there any other classic vintage tables I should look at? I don't care if the table is belt or direct, it just needs to perform well and look cool.

Thanks!

Lenco ptp? http://www.ptpaudio.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff1225

gian60

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2016
2,503
1,943
343
Mitchell Gyrodec and Oracle MK III,now there is VII,sound well,better Oracle
But look very nice both
 

hogen

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2018
138
100
148
Oslo, Norway
Mitchell Gyrodec and Oracle MK III,now there is VII,sound well,better Oracle
But look very nice both

I also very much like the Michell Gyrodec, I think it punches high above its price.
 

gian60

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2016
2,503
1,943
343
Price list in Italy of Gyrodec is 3.670€
Included 22% Italian VAT
I can have from distributor friend new with 30-40%discount
Some used can find cheaper
Need to add a tonearm and a cartridge
But look is very good and wife and friends sure will like a lot
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff1225

jeff1225

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2012
3,007
3,247
1,410
51
Price list in Italy of Gyrodec is 3.670€
Included 22% Italian VAT
I can have from distributor friend new with 30-40%discount
Some used can find cheaper
Need to add a tonearm and a cartridge
But look is very good and wife and friends sure will like a lot
Great suggestion, I can't believe I forget about this turntable.
 

hogen

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2018
138
100
148
Oslo, Norway

gian60

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2016
2,503
1,943
343
Gyro SE
Is cheaper,in Italy cost 2.810€
If you want I put you on contact with my distributor friend
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
5,411
1,278
E. England
Thumbs up for Michell. Honest, no frills engineering, excellent vfm. I ran the Orbe for 14 years, and it never put a foot wrong. Additionally, responded very well to modding.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff1225

dminches

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2011
3,409
2,794
1,410
You should get a Denon DP-59L. Great direct drive turntable for the money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff1225

Mike Lavigne

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 25, 2010
12,467
11,363
4,410
Skyfi looks like it offers a number of high value tt/arm choices. more than your target, but in the neighborhood.

https://skyfiaudio.com/collections/vintage-tables

at least someone has gone through these and checked them over. so less likely to get stuck. you might stumble into a better choice, but also might stumble into a worse choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff1225

Bob Heinatz

Well-Known Member
Jun 21, 2010
47
11
913
I have a really nice Vinyl Nirvana Thorens 125 mk2 in great shape that would look really nice in your 2nd system. It's not being used and is drilled for a SME arm. Let me know if you are interested.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeff1225

Solypsa

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2017
1,811
1,399
275
Seattle
www.solypsa.com
Empire 208

To my eyes looks nice. Iater if you can't help yourself @Atmasphere has modded them to a higher level :)
 

Solypsa

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2017
1,811
1,399
275
Seattle
www.solypsa.com
Or a Fairchild perhaps? 412 is in the price range...

A fairchild 750 is above the price range by a quite a margin but what a cool deck!
 

Folsom

VIP/Donor
Oct 25, 2015
6,024
1,490
520
Eastern WA
Jeff, get one of these.

I'm doing exactly what you're doing, but maybe slower. I have a Thorens I bought a plinth for from Europe that's very pretty and I'm doing it up nice.

Skip the Bose. Get some Dyanco A25's. They're meant to hug the wall and they... don't suck. Then just need a good tube receiver. We'll be easy listening retro pals at some point. :)
 

daytona600

Well-Known Member
Sep 9, 2012
722
151
955
scotland
Project Classic
.
 

jeff1225

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2012
3,007
3,247
1,410
51
Looks vintage to me, just like the Thorens

 
  • Like
Reactions: infinitely baffled

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing