Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

I also found a listing for a restored Thorens 160 for $1000 on FB marketplace but I don’t know if the restorer is particularly well reputed. Looks good based off of the photos though.

I’m aware of the issues with the clamshell.05DB3D12-0A42-4C0E-9C29-55555DE786AD.jpeg05DB3D12-0A42-4C0E-9C29-55555DE786AD.jpeg47F740FF-0908-4B5F-A033-106169BAD993.jpeg
 

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Hemotep said:
It's purdy
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It sure is. And it has been restored. Although I’ll need to upgrade the cart.

Full serviced with a new belt, full lubrication and alignment. Relatively newer ortofon cartridge. Woods been oiled, dust covers been polished. Platter was rebrushed. Comes with original owners manual - its a beautiful looking and sounding unit.

I’m tempted to pull the trigger but Dave at Vinyl Nirvana is highly regarded and I want to make sure my money is well spent.
 
David A. said:
It sure is. And it has been restored. Although I’ll need to upgrade the cart.

Full serviced with a new belt, full lubrication and alignment. Relatively newer ortofon cartridge. Woods been oiled, dust covers been polished. Platter was rebrushed. Comes with original owners manual - its a beautiful looking and sounding unit.

I’m tempted to pull the trigger but Dave at Vinyl Nirvana is highly regarded and I want to make sure my money is well spent.
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I've had quite a few tables in my room over the last 5 years, and that's the only one I regret selling. Looked perfect, I put a new cover on it, and it sounded fantastic. 6CA6A576-5516-4EA0-9654-DE1A9EE8A19F.jpeg
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David A. said:
How’s the stock tone arm? Can I live with it and then maybe upgrade later on?
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I had no issues with it at all.. I used a Denon DL-103r on it with great results.

Edit: If I remember correctly, you have to use a non-threaded cart because of the mounting on the headshell.
 
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David A. said:
It sure is. And it has been restored. Although I’ll need to upgrade the cart.

Full serviced with a new belt, full lubrication and alignment. Relatively newer ortofon cartridge. Woods been oiled, dust covers been polished. Platter was rebrushed. Comes with original owners manual - its a beautiful looking and sounding unit.

I’m tempted to pull the trigger but Dave at Vinyl Nirvana is highly regarded and I want to make sure my money is well spent.
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Go to Dave if budget allows. You’ll be guaranteed to have a solid Thorens. I wouldn’t buy any vintage audio gear from FB Marketplace. Too easy to get screwed or robbed. Not worth the “savings”.

Instead of getting a Thorens from someone who might be trying to be like Dave (at best) just go to Dave.
 
Pulling the trigger. My system will be based on this package but in mahogany (to match the window frames in the apartment).

vinylnirvana.com

Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth - Vinyl Nirvana - Vintage AR and Thorens Turntable Sales, Parts, and Restorations

Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth Note: due to high volume in the shipping system, if purchased, will not ship until January 9, 2023. Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth. Vintage...
vinylnirvana.com
 
David A. said:
Pulling the trigger. My system will be based on this package but in mahogany (to match the window frames in the apartment).

vinylnirvana.com

Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth - Vinyl Nirvana - Vintage AR and Thorens Turntable Sales, Parts, and Restorations

Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth Note: due to high volume in the shipping system, if purchased, will not ship until January 9, 2023. Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth. Vintage...
vinylnirvana.com
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Gorgeous, congrats! Something like that is probably my next/end-game table as well. Hopefully before the guy fully retired!
 
Hey y'all, Sub question for you. My mate has a pair of B&W 607 S2 bookshelves and he's looking to pair them with a sub. Do you guys have any suggestions for a small sub that would pair well with those. Obviously not looking to go crazy since the speakers were only about $1000 CAD.
 
Mather said:
Hey y'all, Sub question for you. My mate has a pair of B&W 607 S2 bookshelves and he's looking to pair them with a sub. Do you guys have any suggestions for a small sub that would pair well with those. Obviously not looking to go crazy since the speakers were only about $1000 CAD.
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I really love my little REL TZero! I’d love to get a second for a stereo pair at some point! A single one goes for around €500 here and I’d highly recommended them to anyone looking for a little sub.
 
1673207581396.png

Latest version of Darlington Labs MP-7 (tested with Hashimoto HM-7 SUT)

I had the chance to give the new MP-7 a listen.
New, meaning the latest version has a new board, I have the older version that was updated before the new board.
I didn't do a real A/B as I felt it was kind of a moot point.
Although I was to keep the better one, my intention was to send the new one back.
The two are very close; maybe the new one has lifted a slight veil, has a bit more air.
Everything else is there: the detail, bass, attack and decay.
Why not keep the better one?
For me, it doesn't make a difference.
The MP-7 is already the best phono stage below $1k.
At this stage, it doesn't matter which version I have.
I've taken it head to head with my Tavish Adagio (Stereophile B recommended) and it was pretty close. IMO, the only difference was SS vs tubes, that tube sound vs a more SS sound. Which may not be the case as I run tubes anyways and never thought the MP-7 was SS sounding in my system. In fact the MP-7 sonically is more like my Modwright PH9.0, which tells me the Tavish is more tube like than the two.
How does it compare to the Modwright?
Really? you want me to compare a $500 amp to one that cost $3500?
It's actually closer than you think.
I feel that above the $2k range, it's diminishing returns. Don't get me wrong, the Modwright is better: air, separation, sound stage, etc. What it doesn't do walk all over the MP-7. Surprisingly, the MP-7 holds it's own. There is a difference, but not a "I can't live with this" difference. More like a if I had to sell the Modwright I could live with this difference which means there isn't that much of a drop off in SQ.
IME, it would be like going back to the Adagio.
Anyways, there you go.
The MP-7 with new board, the $2000 phono stage that costs $500.
Still a crazy good deal.

BTW, not compensated in any way by DL.
Gonna try and change that when they get their new headphone amp in production!
 
theflattire said:
View attachment 163427

Latest version of Darlington Labs MP-7 (tested with Hashimoto HM-7 SUT)

I had the chance to give the new MP-7 a listen.
New, meaning the latest version has a new board, I have the older version that was updated before the new board.
I didn't do a real A/B as I felt it was kind of a moot point.
Although I was to keep the better one, my intention was to send the new one back.
The two are very close; maybe the new one has lifted a slight veil, has a bit more air.
Everything else is there: the detail, bass, attack and decay.
Why not keep the better one?
For me, it doesn't make a difference.
The MP-7 is already the best phono stage below $1k.
At this stage, it doesn't matter which version I have.
I've taken it head to head with my Tavish Adagio (Stereophile B recommended) and it was pretty close. IMO, the only difference was SS vs tubes, that tube sound vs a more SS sound. Which may not be the case as I run tubes anyways and never thought the MP-7 was SS sounding in my system. In fact the MP-7 sonically is more like my Modwright PH9.0, which tells me the Tavish is more tube like than the two.
How does it compare to the Modwright?
Really? you want me to compare a $500 amp to one that cost $3500?
It's actually closer than you think.
I feel that above the $2k range, it's diminishing returns. Don't get me wrong, the Modwright is better: air, separation, sound stage, etc. What it doesn't do walk all over the MP-7. Surprisingly, the MP-7 holds it's own. There is a difference, but not a "I can't live with this" difference. More like a if I had to sell the Modwright I could live with this difference which means there isn't that much of a drop off in SQ.
IME, it would be like going back to the Adagio.
Anyways, there you go.
The MP-7 with new board, the $2000 phono stage that costs $500.
Still a crazy good deal.

BTW, not compensated in any way by DL.
Gonna try and change that when they get their new headphone amp in production!
Click to expand...
Pretty much how I feel about the MM-6 vs the Sutherland Duo.
 
HiFi Guy said:
Pretty much how I feel about the MM-6 vs the Sutherland Duo.
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That review was part of the reason I got my MP-7.

It's hard to admit, but listening to the MP-7 I have to question why I spent the cash on the Modwright. I mean it is better, but the MP-7 makes it hard to justify.
The MP-7 was the best/worst thing to happen to me.

BTW, I have been given instructions from Darlington Central to burn the new unit in for a week and give it another listen and put it against the Modwright. It wasn't burned in at the factory.
 
David A. said:
Pulling the trigger. My system will be based on this package but in mahogany (to match the window frames in the apartment).

vinylnirvana.com

Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth - Vinyl Nirvana - Vintage AR and Thorens Turntable Sales, Parts, and Restorations

Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth Note: due to high volume in the shipping system, if purchased, will not ship until January 9, 2023. Gorgeous Thorens TD-160 Super Reproduction, new Rega (Moth) tonearm, solid Zebrawood plinth. Vintage...
vinylnirvana.com
Click to expand...
Congrats. You won’t be disappointed. He’s great to work with. Love my Thorens that he did
 
Few questions on the MP-7. I want to buy a new phono stage this year (under $1,000) and was originally going to look at a used Sutherland Insight. But have also read a lot about the MP-7.

Right now have the Jolida JD9 on my main system (MoFi UD with master tracker) and then my Thorens is hooked up to an LX-LPS with the SAE 1000E. Looking to sell the LX-LPS this year and probably move the Jolida to my Thorens set up.

Are there any thoughts of the Insight vs MP-7? I’ll also likely swap out the MasterTracker for another cart this year (maybe the Otello).

With the MP-7 are the upgraded jacks worth it? Or mono switch? I’d love to add a mono switch to my setup for older mono records and wont really swap out carts because I don’t have an arm with swappable headshell…
 
MikeH said:
Few questions on the MP-7. I want to buy a new phono stage this year (under $1,000) and was originally going to look at a used Sutherland Insight. But have also read a lot about the MP-7.

Right now have the Jolida JD9 on my main system (MoFi UD with master tracker) and then my Thorens is hooked up to an LX-LPS with the SAE 1000E. Looking to sell the LX-LPS this year and probably move the Jolida to my Thorens set up.

Are there any thoughts of the Insight vs MP-7? I’ll also likely swap out the MasterTracker for another cart this year (maybe the Otello).

With the MP-7 are the upgraded jacks worth it? Or mono switch? I’d love to add a mono switch to my setup for older mono records and wont really swap out carts because I don’t have an arm with swappable headshell…
Click to expand...
There's a long thread over on SHF on the MP-7.
I don't think the MP-7 has gone head to head against an Insight, but it has gone against a PS Audio Stellar, Lehman Decade, and in my case a Tavish Adagio. You can probably cross reference that.
The Insight with separate PS might be better as I read it does make a difference.
My feeling before going to the Modwright was that I would probably have to go 20/20 to get a worthwhile improvement over the MP-7.
Not saying the Insight isn't better, but I think you have to consider the cost vs. performance ratio. A used Insight will probably cost you twice the price, and I think it will be a 'if I hadn't heard the other I'd be fine' with this one kinda thing.
Again go through the SHF thread if you need more validation.

I think the RCAs made make the unit nicer, not necessarily sound better. I got the upgraded jacks on mine.
The mono switch is up to you. I'm too lazy to use mine, but I have read it helps with older mono records with surface noise.
Hope this helps.
 
MikeH said:
Few questions on the MP-7. I want to buy a new phono stage this year (under $1,000) and was originally going to look at a used Sutherland Insight. But have also read a lot about the MP-7.

Right now have the Jolida JD9 on my main system (MoFi UD with master tracker) and then my Thorens is hooked up to an LX-LPS with the SAE 1000E. Looking to sell the LX-LPS this year and probably move the Jolida to my Thorens set up.

Are there any thoughts of the Insight vs MP-7? I’ll also likely swap out the MasterTracker for another cart this year (maybe the Otello).

With the MP-7 are the upgraded jacks worth it? Or mono switch? I’d love to add a mono switch to my setup for older mono records and wont really swap out carts because I don’t have an arm with swappable headshell…
Click to expand...
Pretty much any question anyone asks, @AnthonyI has already answered, lol
AnthonyI said:
Here goes nothing.............
View attachment 131338

I’ve gathered my thoughts on the Darlington MP-7, this took a little time post demo process and prewriting this, I sat here pondering for a few days exactly how to present my thoughts in a fair and honest way.

I had commented on the MM-6 that I put it in my top 5 for pre-amps, which has not changed. But I know the inevitable question and comparison will be to the MP-7, so this is going to be a little different than usual, it’s not going to be an overly in-depth breakdown of the MP-7, it’s going to be a comparison.

To start with, Darlington makes great products, no discussion needed there. When it comes to the MP-7, it did a better job of bringing well loved albums to their best potential, it expanded the soundstage and “space”, it’s a bit more transparent, and the mid-range and bass flexed its muscle a bit more when compared to the MM-6.

But this is where I had to take pause as I went from album to album, genre to genre and MM to MC, the MP-7 is a really, really good pre, but again, the question that was looming was the comparison, and let’s not beat around the bush, the price difference. There was nothing I disliked about the MP-7 at all, it performed well with both MM and MC carts, aside from having to bring the volume up a bit on MC carts, I’ll still maintain that compared to the Insight I still lean towards the Insight, it's a bit more refined and it’s much more flexible than both the MM-6 and MP-7. I think were the MP-7 ends up landing, where the “is it worth the difference” is going to be, will be heavily based on where you are in your analog journey and budget.

If you’re in the market for a top tier pre-amp with the absolute most bang for your buck under $1k and you’re not planning to look beyond this purchase, grab the MP-7, easy recommendation and you will never be wanting (…. yes, famous last words) for anything. If you’re still in the “experimental” stages, or you want something a little (a lot) better than a Pluto for instance, the MM-6 will be the best $330 you ever spent. The thing the MP-7 does really well honestly, is position itself at the top of the bang for your buck under $1k, as I mentioned, and why I still lean towards the Insight, you will need to jump into the $1500+ category to start to chip away at what the MP-7 is bringing to the table, this is why I’m going about this in the way I am, this particular piece of equipment just nails the price point, but it in no way should be considered “entry level”.

Most of you know I have been through quite a few pre-amps, it was a great learning process and a lot of fun, but it does boil down to these buckets, baring any type of sale, open box, or end of life pricing. The “starting” point being $300-500, then $1k+ and ending with $2k+, beyond that isn’t my territory, but this is where I would put audible differences if I had to assign a price to it. So going with that breakdown, the MP-7 punches above its price point landing in that space just below $1k, and can be a long-term addition/solution for most. For those of you keeping track, I’d put the MP-7 right next to the MM-6, tied, in my top 5 based on all of the above comments.

I’ve said this before, and at times I feel like it may come across as a cop out, but it truly isn’t. There is a lot of good out there in our hobby, if not great, the difference is budget and personal preference, this is no different, if you’re in the market I hope this will at least help you hammer down a path, if not a choice that works for YOU.

As always, just my opinion.
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