You snooze you lose...look at this beautiful vintage Thorens TD-147!

I think we all missed out on this one. This beautifully restored Thorens TD-147 from Vinyl Nirvana sold within days. The cost was only $625 shipped. For those who don't know the TD-147, it's the version of the famed TD-160 with the auto shut-off function. This particular model has a stunning plinth, and the entire TT had only one minor scratch.

This just proves that the market for first-rate vintage turntables is still thriving. For future reference, just bookmark the Vintage Turntable page on Vinyl Nirvana at http://www.vinylnirvana.com/vintage-turntables-for-sale/ and you'll be able to monitor these offerings before they sell.

Oh, and for the record, I receive nothing from Audio Nirvana, Echo Audio or anyone else for spotting these TTs. In fact, I don't even think that Kurt Doslu or David Archimbault know about my blog. I just think about something that Gene Rubin of Gene Rubin Audio once told me: "Finding homes for used audio gear is good karma. All of these pieces can bring musical joy to SOMEONE..."

Interesting Rega P25 at Echo Audio in Portland

At first I thought this latest offering from Echo Audio was a misprint...a Rega P25 with a Groovetracer subplatter for just $495? Wow!

Then I noticed that I didn't have an arm. For $495, it's still a great price, just not the deal of the century. I owned a P25 from 1998 to 2003 and it was one of my favorite TTs ever. This particular P25, which comes with a mahogany plinth, should have a Rega RB600 or RB700 mounted on it for the best performance. I'm not sure why it would be missing in the first place--a Rega turntable without a Rega arm doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Maybe someone cannibalized the stock arm to make a quick sale.

At any rate, this is still a nice find. Check out http://echohifi.com/just_arrived.php for more information.

Koetsu and Scott finds at Echo Audio in Portland

I have to admit this one hurts a little because I'm not in the market, but Kurt Doslu at Echo Hi-fi on Portland is currently selling this Koetsu Urushi Vermillion for just $1975. (It retails for $4200.) I sold my own Koetsu Rosewood Standard to Kurt a couple of years ago, and it sold quickly.

The Urushi was always the cartridge I intended to upgrade to when I owned the Rosewood. I was a sucker for the Sky Blue Urushi, which was the rare Koetsu that was wired with pure oxygen-free silver for a more extended high end...but I would have happily taken the Vermillion you see here. There's something about Koetsu cartridges that are quite special (and unequalled). Will I ever own another? I hope so. I've owned three in the past (a Black and two Rosewood Standards), and nothing I reviewed over the years surpassed their ability to capture a lush, romantic yet incredibly detailed sound.

Kurt also has this nicely restored H.H. Scott LK-72 integrated amplifier from the '60s for just $375. I owned the similar Scott 299B amplifier a few years ago (like the LK-72, it also uses 7591 output tubes), and although my ultimate conclusion was that it was a bit unstable during operation, it still offered a sound quality that was unmatched by most SS gear under $1000.

Again, if you're interested, check out echohifi.com for more information.

New turntables at Echo Audio in Portland

I've noticed that Kurt Doslu of Echo Audio has gotten in a lot of interesting turntables over the last week or so, with each one deserving your consideration. First up is the legendary Linn Sondek LP-12. This one has the Valhalla power supply (a level One mod), a Rega RB-300 tonearm, an Ortofon OM-30 cartridge and a Ringmat mat for only $995. This is a great way to get into Linn for a reasonable price. I would keep the arm and then consider a better cartridge down the road, since the Ortofon is more suitable for a 'table like a Rega RP1 or P2 than a Linn. Also, I'm not entirely sure about the Ringmat since the stock felt mats for Linns and Regas usually sound the best.

The next up is an original Roksan Xerxes with the outboard power supply and a classic Zeta tonearm. I remember when Gene Rubin sold these back in the early '90s, and a lot of people would trade their Linns in on this great-sounding TT. Back then they were about $2200 new without arm or cartridge (Kurt says the retail for this particular table and arm was $3250), and this one can be yours for just $825.

If you're looking to spend a little less cash you might consider one of the following vinrtage 'tables. This classic Ariston RDIIs comes with a Sumiko FT3 tonearm and a new Grado Black cartridge (Kurt is a Grado dealer.) Ariston is noteworthy because many in the British audio world feel that Linn stole the design of the Ariston for their LP12s. I know someone who found an Ariston RD-12 at a garage sale for $15, and with a little TLC he transformed it into a first-class analog rig. Kurt is selling this one for just $395.

 Finally, Kurt has this Dual CS-5000 for sale for just $345. Many Dual aficionados consider this the best Dual of all time. I think it's certainly their most modern design. The interesting thing about this Dual is that it runs at 33, 45 and 78 rpm, so it would make an ideal TT for someone who still listens to 78s (and there are quite a few of you out there).

If you're curious about these TTs or any other vintage items, just check out the Echo Audio website at http://www.echohifi.com/. Kurt ships worldwide, and all of his components have been inspected and auditioned.

Beautiful McIntosh MR-67 Tuner!

I was just checking out the website for Echo Audio in Portland (echohifi.com) and just saw this recent arrival. Man, this is a beauty! I flirted with the idea of buying a beautifully restored McIntosh MR-78 a couple of years ago, but the terrestrial radio in Portland was disappointing to say the least. (I was also told by a hardcore Mac fanatic that the REAL tuner to buy was the MR-74, which had a few less features but probably offered the best overall sound quality, all for a price for less than the highly collectible '78.)

Kurt Doslu, who runs Echo Audio, is a good friend, and his store is probably one of the finest there is in terms of used but very desirable audio components. I sold him the better part of my system last year, by the way, and he gave me top dollar. He's also a new dealer for such brands as Grado, Manley and a few others.
He's selling the MR-67, complete with walnut case and owner's manual, for just $545. That's a very fair price for such a great piece of gear!