Opinions on Thorens 1600/1601 Turntables

[Al ears]

Super relevant question !
Today : Thorens TD-1500 + 2M Bronze plugged into an Obelisk SI3 with its heed power supply.

The project would be to swap the excellent 2M Bronze for a Hana (EL, ML…?) or the brand new X (20, 30…?) Ortofon.








As you can see the optional phono board is very small but it sounds incredibly good!
So far I couldn’t find a better phono stage below 600€.

Then I'd like to know what phono stages you have listened to.
The Heed is not an amplifier I am familiar with.
Hana cartridges I can recommend.

 

[BenWatts]

Tisbury Domino.
Noise, cold, lower volume, missing details.

One of the Project first price. About 100€ the phono stage. Worse than the Tisbury.

Another cheap Cambridge. This one was not that bad but only MM. The heed phono board appeared to be once again better.

A nice Musical Fidelity. I can’t remember the exact ref. A forum user came home with his phonostage. Really good one. It was about 1400€.

A stunning orange Vertere. Super cool one ! But not at home. The full installation was awesome. Double mono block into the Vertere and a Vertere TT as well with a pricey cartridge I cannot afford.

My experience is poor at home.
For each experience I had a bunch of vinyle I know very well.