[chadbang]

I've been fishing around for a vintage thorens table, but per tuberoller's comments, I decided against it in the end. He said a TD-124 II will only sound good backed up by really a top notch (read: 'expensive') tone arm and cartridge. Then there's also the maintence factor.

Well, I went out (again) today and spied my first VPI turntable. What a beauty! It was a HW-19 Jr. I fell in love with its clean look, we don't see many good turntables here. Right away I went to the web and it seems to be a well-recommended player. Of course, I also saw you can get one for far less than the $1,100 they were asking for it used in Bangkok, sans tone arm. (God, am I tortured price-wise here. There are only about three high end shops here who have a monopoly. I should be come an importer).

Well, anyway. Do we have an VPI users here? Is the Junior a good model, or is there a hidden treasure in the VPI line that I might find used for around $600 that I've missed? That's about my price range. Can anyone steer me towards a good deal?

 

[kentamcolin]

I have a VPI HW19 MK3 with Rega arm and LOVE it. What is your location? A local shop here has a used HW19 Jr. with arm & cartridge for $795 (in excellent condition). The HW19 line can be upgraded as you get more funds. It might be tough to find a complete VPI setup for $600 though. Maybe wait until you have a bit more money, they are great tables and would represent a solid investment.

 

[Wilson M.]

The HW19 is a great table. I love the upgradability feature. You can start out basic with the Jr and move it all the way up to the Mk 4 which is a very nice player.

The Rega P3 and Music Hall MMF-5 are two of the better tables in your price range. I couldn't get into the Pro-Ject tables. Just was not my cup of tea.

 

[chadbang]

Nor could I get into the Pro-ject. I bought one here in Bangkok new, and it cost around US$250, which may explain why I really have a grudge against it. Maybe $90... But more than that, the mids and upper mids have a very grainy texture. Maybe it's just my table or cartridge, but its not very smooth through those registers. Oddly, 45 rpms sound great - full bodied and smooth across the board. It's just 33 1/3s that sound bad. Also the construction is quite cheap. I already had to re-glue the plastic veener back onto the plint. It was peeling off in less than a year.

I haven't seen a Music Hall in person to check it out. I've seen the Rega P3. Pretty nice, but still no match in class for the VPI. I'm pretty sure that's the way I'm going to go - when I can get one at a good price.

 

[Wilson M.]

Yeah, the VPI looks more robust than either the P3 or MMF-5. The British decks at this price all seem to be very low mass. Even the more expensive P25 is fairly low mass. The old Linn Axis and Basik were the same thing.

Good luck with your search.

 

[TimSchirmer]

One thing to consider with the thorens... The price is only going to get higher, as opposed to newer tables which decrease in value. However, if you want something quick and easy that sounds great without much fuss, by all means go for the newer tables.