Which Turntable

[simon e]

I'm slowly putting a system together from cast offs and the odd bit of new kit. So the next item on my list is a turntable I possibly have a choice between 3 classic turntables a Garrard 301, Lenco goldring and a Thorens TD124, now they all all in pretty much original condition so will all need new plinths, arms and cartridges.

My question is which out of the three would people recommend to be the best option to get up and running and sounding good without breaking the bank?

And what plinths, arms and cartridges would work well?
I'm using a croft 25 basic pre with a MM phono stage so i assume its probably best to stick to a MM cartridge?

Thanks

Simon

[Reid Malenfant]

Hi Simon, I'm not much good at TTs but it might help if we know what model the Goldring is ;) The others you have covered :)

[simon e]

Hi Simon, I'm not much good at TTs but it might help if we know what model the Goldring is ;) The others you have covered :)

It's an L75

[Reid Malenfant]

That'll help them in the know, cheers Simon :)

[The Grand Wazoo]

Wow!, can I come & sit next to you when your friends & relations are next casting off?! That's a very enviable choice to have to make!

[simon e]

I know, The 301 was my grandfathers and I am using the matching stereo 20 from his original system, and my father aquired the other 2 over the years. He's currently using an alphason sonata.

[WOStantonCS100]

Could one go wrong with any of those???

I'm no expert. The Lenco's have a plethora of (user) support behind them. I've heard the Garrard's can be pricey to really have well fettled. I know nothing of what it costs to do a 124.

A 301 is like a status symbol to me. Albeit, a really, really super cool and great sounding one when done well. I'd probably be just a wee bit egotistical if I actually had a killer sounding 301. I'm very vain; might even drap people in off the street who care nothing for hi-fi, just to listen to it. :lolsign:

[hifi_dave]

I would (have) go with the 301 and/or the TD124. Both great turntables which also look wonderful.

[John]

A few thoughts the 301 is the worth a fair bit of money. I know Clive has one and has reported in the past that they have colouration issues.
I think a few here have the 124 so hopefuly they can give you their impressions
The Lenco can be a lovelly deck when done up and lots of help if you wish to do this yourself. Also someone like Dom might have heard all these TT and give some feedback.I think really good sounds no matter which way you go. I really like the look of the 124 myself

[simon e]

I would (have) go with the 301 and/or the TD124. Both great turntables which also look wonderful.

I do have a soft spot for the 301, but isn't also the hardest to get setup and running properly.

Dave, you'll be glad to hear the croft is running in and woring very well.

[Barry]

Hello Simon,

All three decks are good, but if it were me I would pressed to choose between the 301 and the 124.

I have virtually no experience of the Garrard (only heard one once - long before they became sought after for fettling), but I do have some experience of the Thorens 124/II decks (I own three of them).

Spare parts and bearing upgrades for the Thorens are available from Schopper in Switzerland. These are very good but very, very expensive; plus of course the cost of sending the deck there to have the work done. One of our members, Joe (The Black Adder), has done such, so he might be able to provide further information.

We also have Dominic Harper of Northwest Analogue who, I believe, refurbishes vintage turntables, so why not drop him a PM?

Regards

[Rare Bird]

Id keep both the '301' & '124' they both have different qualities you can't live without imho.

[hifi_dave]

I do have a soft spot for the 301, but isn't also the hardest to get setup and running properly.

Dave, you'll be glad to hear the croft is running in and woring very well.

I think they both present problems and delight in equal amounts. I wouldn't like to choose between them on aesthetic grounds but I think the 301 might just nudge out the TD 124 on sound.

Maybe..:scratch:

Glad you're enjoying the Micro - they are rather good, aren't they ?

[ComradeSaigon]

Save money in the long run by getting the 301 or TD124 up and running how you'd like it to do. In the past I wish I went extra and bought Michell Gyro SE instead of the level entry TechnoDec (Thinking I'd save money). Then you regretting that you wish it does a lot more.
Reading Marco's Ortofon RS-212D on Technics page. He mention it all about sonic synergy, and keeping you listening more to music. That what it all about. If yours 301 or TD124 can sounds up to date and possible for upgrades then choose one.

[Dominic Harper]

Hi all. Right here is my two cents.
The 301 and 124 are both fantastic turntables without any modification other than a service and suitable plinth.
The Lenco has potential but requires an awful lot of work and expense to get to 301/124 territory.
Given your plan to get best bang for buck, having all three turntables already, I would get Russ collinson to make you a simple plinth for the 124. The 124 does not need a massy plinth for a decent sound. You will need to use the Thorens adjusters with mushrooms though, so make sure you have good examples, if not Schopper sell new replacements.
The 301 is different, more bass slam and a little darker sounding than the 124, but requires a massy plinth, this can become expensive, so out of the running.

[simon e]

Hi All

Thanks for the replies, so its sounding like a choice between the 301 and the 124.
I know the best solution for the 301 is a slate plinth, which is probably well out of my budget for the time being. But do they perform if mount on a birch ply plinth either solid or skeletal?
Also the 301 has its original arm and cartridge which i'm sure will need replacing so what are suitable options?

As for the 124, Russ's plinths look lovely and not that bad a price, but there is no arm with this TT. So what would be a good starting point for an arm and cartridge?

[simon e]

Just a little update.

I think I have found a local company who can cut me a slate plinth for either the 301 or 124 at a sensible price.
It will only be 20mm slate so depending upon cost I may try a dual layer decoupled plinth.

So i'm currently looking at arm options, it seems that a Rega 300 or similar would be a good starting point and available at sensible prices second hand.

any arm/cartridge suggestions welcome.

[Clive]

You could get them to cut 2 plinths then get them to bond the 2 pieces to give you a 40mm plinth.

[simon e]

You could get them to cut 2 plinths then them to bond the 2 pieces to give you a 40mm plinth.

Hi Clive,

Thats a good idea.

I was trying to keep the cost down by only getting the cut out in one peice of slate.

So I could start with a 20mm plinth and then add a bottom decoupled layer at a latter date.

Just trying to do up the drawings at the minute. I have found a cad drawing for the cut out with the arm mounting radius's on. So I just need to sit down and work out the plinth dimensions and where to place the arm mount.

[Qualityten]

Hi, I new here, but always glad to talk audio. I couldn't resist chipping in on this discussion about how to choose from three top idler turntables.

For what it's worth, I would recommend a 301. Mine sounds best on a light plinth resting on squash balls. Martin Bastin is the person who helped me with servicing in the UK. He did a superb job on a battered and broken 401 I also have.

[Marco]

Hi David,

Welcome to AoS :)

Before you go any further, could you please pop into the Welcome area and introduce yourself to our community, as you were asked to do in the registration email you received - ta! :cool:

Marco.

[Rare Bird]

If yours 301 or TD124 can sounds up to date and possible for upgrades then choose one.

:scratch:

[Qualityten]

Hi David,

Welcome to AoS :)

Before you go any further, could you please pop into the Welcome area and introduce yourself to our community, as you were asked to do in the registration email you received - ta! :cool:

Marco.

Sure, I'll do so now.

[simon e]

Ok so it looks like I'll be getting the 124 which is a mark 2 as well.

Supplied with rega arm board and a home made 3 layer mdf plinth.

So any recommendations on how to service it and art it up?

[Qualityten]

The web has lots of threads detailing rebuilds of the TD124, so it's worth googling about. You'll soon find them.

The most important print resource is the book "Swiss Precision" by Joachim Bung, 2008. The second edition is in English and it covers the history and restoration of Thorens idler turntables especially the TD124. It really is a fantastic read and resource. Again, googling Swiss Precision and Thorens will get you there.

This is of course just to add to discussion of others' experience here. Unless your deck has been serviced, you will need to give this some attention. Parts and service kits, e.g. new idler wheel, belt and motor service parts, are also available from various web sellers.