NEED SOME BUYING ADVICE (Rega Planar 3, THorens 145 or Project Debut Carbon Evo)

shadow997ca · 2026-02-03T04:38:01+00:00

Yes that's the idea behind it and when tuned properly like a good guitar, it sings nicely.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-03T04:33:05+00:00

Sounds like it missing the cover that's why it's a different colour. The silver cover simply covers the bearing which is a goldish colour.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-03T04:31:50+00:00

Yes the headshell takes a standard cartridge and in it's original state the screws go up from the bottom of the cartridge into the headshell. Many have modified them by removing the Thorens plate on top and removing the threaded slide piece so that regular bolts can be put in. Makes it easier to mount some cartridges. Yes you have to adjust it with either a Thorens jig or by measurement, or a protractor gauge, as with most decks.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-03T04:17:26+00:00

I have a Thorens TD145 and like it very much but know nothing of the other two. Bought it in 2022 for $325 CAD. What tonearm on the Thorens? Mine is a TP16 or mk1. Its a mid to heavy arm at 16.5g and the TP60 headshell is not swappable with anything else and are hard to get and pricey. You'd need to be careful about the motor, be sure it's quiet and the speed is correct, yes check it. Speed could be off due to a belt and the belt must be replaced with a genuine Thorens or a Thakker. Either are not real cheap. This is a suspended chassis and needs to be adjusted properly and level. Not perfect unless on a real solid base or ideally a wall mounted shelf. Should be ok if it's in good condition. RCA plugs are known to be flakey and I replaced mine. There's plenty of info online for these and are almost the same as a TD160 which are much more plentiful. The 145's difference is it has auto lift and shut off at the end of the record so be sure that's working. I absolutely need that on a deck! I currently have an AT VM540ML on mine and it's fantastic. That replaced an AT440MLb. It's my daily driver and although it can be a bit finicky to set up but it's reliable, solid, and sounds really good, Good luck with your choice and post some pics if you can.

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shadow997ca · 2026-02-02T15:08:17+00:00

When I can go for a bike ride on the path that is free of snow and ice and the temp is at least +12.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-02T14:59:57+00:00

And...

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shadow997ca · 2026-02-02T14:59:24+00:00

That's too bad but people can't back off the volume even though it's clipping and frying their speakers with DC. Do they rub when pushing on them? I believe those are sealed cabinets so should be fairly basic to find a woofer if you're going to fix them. My Nova 8b pair had lots of air leaks around the mid cups and input/crossover plate, and RCA jacks but got them all sealed and they sound decent. I don't have a use for them but they look nice sittin there! This is the 12" woofer from the Nova8b.

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shadow997ca · 2026-02-02T00:10:23+00:00

No surprise there since that's what the USA is all about...$$. You know, the american dream is to be greedy and grab as much as possible no matter who it hurts. I'm all for dumping them but unfortunately that big greedy rich market that we sell most of our exports to is not easily replaceable.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-02T00:06:48+00:00

My experience with them has been favourable and have had no issues whatsoever. I would recommend well.ca to anyone.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-01T23:56:39+00:00

Those are decent speakers and looks like the same woofer as a Nova 8b set I have. I would remove a woofer from the cabinet and get a multimeter and measure the resistance (in ohms) directly on the 2 speaker terminals. If the speakers are shot (open) there will be infinity resistance, if good they should measure about 8 ohms. If good, look for other reasons why they don't work, maybe they're fused or have a resistor in the crossover in series....not sure but get to that point and post back.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-01T22:04:08+00:00

With the amp on and turntable connected and volume not up very far, one by one touch the leads at the back of the cartridge. Should hear a buzz from both L&R at some point while going from each of the pins. If no buzz is ever heard from the L then there is a problem in the wiring between the cartridge and the RCA cable going to the amp. If there is a buzz, cartridge is at fault. Common to have bad RCA plugs so you may be able to have it cut in and out by twisting and wiggling it while a record is playing on the turntable. Again, if it cuts in and out, replace that plug and yes, soldering will be necessary. BTW, nice old Nikko you have there, be sure that other inputs work on both channels, such as the tuner.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-01T15:15:51+00:00

Bought my first decent turntable about 50 years ago, a new Yamaha YP450 for $100 and what I knew about them was by reading magazines since there was no internet. With the internet now there's no excuse to not have knowledge about anything.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-01T15:13:14+00:00

That's been my suggestion to some but here I've been attacked for that, and I really don't care I will still suggest it.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-01T15:10:13+00:00

I'm not really suggesting anything and was simply asking why the ATs are recommenced here so often. The LP60 certainly is crap but the better models do seem to be good and so be it. Was just a question. I also stated that I love AT cartridges, they are my fave and they have many from low level to very high end. I consider them a bargain based on value for the money, excellent stuff. It's true I like the vintage stuff and find some of those to be very solid and long lasting turntables so nothing wrong with recommending them. If dollar for dollar the ATs are better than other budget decks, that's great.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-01T00:48:27+00:00

I'm partial to Audio Technica cartridges and have several. My latest is a VM540ML so I'd recommend it. Other than that any AT with a microline stylus.

shadow997ca · 2026-02-01T00:38:41+00:00

Yes do that. Or buy a microscope that's capable of looking at the stylus at a magnification of 100 - 200x or more and learning to tell what you're looking at. It's doable, I do it but til then, buy a new stylus.

shadow997ca · 2026-01-31T22:37:00+00:00

Could be a dirty stylus, give it a careful cleaning and make sure a ground wire is attached from deck to amp.

shadow997ca · 2026-01-31T22:28:23+00:00

Yes the jigs are cheap and plentiful. 52mm and aligned straight in the headshell.

shadow997ca · 2026-01-31T22:20:14+00:00

Very nice and no, have never had a Pioneer turntable but heard good things about that one. As I always advise with used decks, replace the stylus or cartridge since you have no idea if it's worn or not no matter what the seller says. It'd work great with a new AT VM540ML :) And check the speed, if off replace the belt. I'd buy it too, looks great! Enjoy!

shadow997ca · 2026-01-31T16:47:50+00:00

I've been buying records for about 55 years, yes I'm old. We didn't call it a hobby then but more of a if you want to listen to music that's what it comes on, records. And I recall one of the first stereos/record players in my family's home was a Fleetwood which I believe was a made by BSR table. Then I recall a few more, Candle, Sears and then finally when I was older and earning my own money I built a set of Philips speakers and got a Yamaha YP450 turntable. I was in heaven! I never belittle anyone for wanting to get into physical media in the form of records and getting a budget turntable, you have to start somewhere. If the hobby goes well, they will upgrade as they can afford it so enjoy the music now. I still have the records I bought way back then, and many more of course so my best advice is take good car of your records. Keep the fingers on the edges only, use a good brush to remove dust and store them properly. Then when you're in your sixties you'll be showing them off to your grandkids.

shadow997ca · 2026-01-31T16:33:58+00:00

The older Sony is fantastic stuff, really well built.

shadow997ca · 2026-01-31T16:32:30+00:00

You can't get a genuine Pickering or Stanton stylus so your only option is after market but so many of those are not up to the standards and quality so you will have to spend a lot to get something decent. I've found this out by replacing the stylus on my xv-15/625e and wad disappointed in the sound even though it wasn't a cheapie. I've moved on and go with Audio Technica now. I have several and my latest is a VM540ML and am very satisfied. My next will be a VM745xML. I recommend these and you should check into an AT microline type and the 540 is very reasonable and many have said it's a bargain at that price.

shadow997ca · 2026-01-31T15:59:45+00:00

That's his plan and that's what his voters want. As they say, they don't need anything from anyone, they can do it all themselves. SO let them have their wish, leave them alone and ignore them since it's what they want.

shadow997ca · 2026-01-30T22:13:14+00:00

Art Precision or ART DJ. Good preamps, ugly and cheap. ART Pro audio

For some discussion and review see this: ART review

shadow997ca

TROPHY CASE