Thorens TD-170 Turntable

Pros: Very basic turntable, excellent quality
Cons: Expensive and rare

I just helped a friend select a turntable, and after much searching, we finally found a Thorens TD 170. In this day of CD and DVD, finding vinyl is difficult, but for those of us with large collections, a quality turntable is a must.

My...

Pros: Good features and Sound.
Cons: Tad Bassey, needs a few upgrades.

After careful research, I decided to purchase the Thorens 170. My initial reason was that I was looking for a good turntable without going crazy in dollars and I had always know Thorens as a good brand. For the money, the 170 does not disappoint, good platter with dependable speed and separation from the plinth. The tonearm is good and the semi-automatic features are nice as well as the ability to switch speeds with the flick of a switch rather than changing the belt. I upgraded the table by substituting the rubber feet with cones and installing better cable than what was supplied. Has a very nice sound although may be a tad bassey. I use a Grado Red cartridge and run through a Pro-Ject phono preamp.

Pros: None.
Cons: Everything.

Perhaps others have had better luck, but at the very least mine was a lemon. I had it fixed and it has never worked right; wobbly sound, hum, etc., etc.  Bad machine.