I recently got back into vinyl and puchased a Thorens TD-145 and a Pioneer PL-55x. I was using the Thorens with a Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge until yesterday. I took the Thorens apart as a friend of mine is making a new wood cabinet for it out of Cocobolo wood (one of the top 3-4 most dense woods in the world)which should be better than the veneered press board it came in. In the mean time I hooked up the Pioneer and I am pleasantly surprised. The 2 TT's could not be more different. The Pioneer hits hard, has more punch and is very dynamic and musical. It has much deeper bass and a warmer, slightly darker sound than the Thorens. It's sound is a little more forward and the midrange is fuller but there is a little less transparency and air with the Pioneer. It is more forgiving than the Thorens of poorly recorded and bright music.

The Thorens in contrast, sounds a little more hifi and has a more detailed,delicate,open and airy sound and is better for vocal and jazz except for piano.

I could be perfectly happy with the Pioneer but I wish I had the room to keep both running. The Pioneer is definitely better for Rock n Roll.

The Thorens should sound better once I get done with it. I am going to add some dynamat or GTMAT insulation and a Baltic Birch bottom with Sorbothane feet instead of the flimsy fiber board. I am undecided about a cork mat.