[J-Pak]

I've done quite a bit of searching and I think I could be happy with a vintage Thorens as my first turntable. The reason is I've read that they're very musical and later on if I wanted to upgrade the Sondek has a similar house sound that would be a nice upgrade.

From what I've read on a British hifi site and The Analog Depot a TD150 or TD160 MKII would be really good. With the TD165 or TD166 being more economical. As for tweaks and upgrades most recommend replacing the belt if you're buying from someone that doesn't know its history. I've only read about one recommendation and that was getting a Linn dealer to replace it with a Linn belt.

I called the only vinyl store I know close to me and they said that they could replace the belt with something they have on hand.

Is the TD150/160 arm about the equivalent of an RB300 in terms of performance? Are there any other major upgrades or repairs I might want to have done immediately? Any motor issues that pop up on these models?

As far as time frame, I'm not in any hurry closer to summer is probably more of a reality. Also aside from ebay is there anywhere else I should look? Thanks.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'm not familiar with Thorens decks, however, don't limit yourself to looking on eBay. There are a number of Thorens decks for sale over at Audiogon. I've bought 4 or 5 things there and have been happy with the transactions.

Also, keep an eye on Craigslist. This beauty is going for $200 just a few miles from me:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ele/297421650.html

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Pak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is the TD150/160 arm about the equivalent of an RB300 in terms of performance? Are there any other major upgrades or repairs I might want to have done immediately? Any motor issues that pop up on these models?

The Thorens arms on the TD150/160 vary quite a bit over the production run of around 30 years for these decks. If you want to stick with the stock Thorens tonearm the TD150 MII or TD160 Super have the best tonearms Thorens made, definitely upto scratch with the Rega arms.
Otherwise the best course of action is to put a Linn LVX arm on there. That way it matters less which varient you go for. You will commonly find these decks with older SME arms as well, as they were sold both with and without arms.
Read more about it here http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/olde...renstd150.html

 

[lini]

memepool: Uhm, as far as I know, the TD160 Super came without arm, anyway (...not only from my own memory as ex-owner (I've put a Grace G707 on mine, which I got used for 100 DM, while the new table itself was some 700 DM and the Yamaha MC-505 some 400 DM...) - Thorens-Info claims the same). The TD150 MkII had the TP13a (aka "ball arm"), which has a good reputation (I've never heard one of these, though - but it looks unique for sure

).

J-Pak: I'd suggest to avoid the TD150 (initial version, Mk nothing) with the TP13 arm. Also, you'd probably better avoid all of the very light Thorens arms (ca. 7.5 g effective mass) like the TP16II/III, TP11II/III, as you'll nowadays have a hard time to find nice high-compliance cartridges for these arms.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lini /img/forum/go_quote.gif memepool: Uhm, as far as I know, the TD160 Super came without arm, anyway

I always see them with a Thorens badged Rega RB250 which they called TP25 or TP250 or something so I thought that was stock. Maybe in the UK only...

Did your TD160S have a less springy supsension than the lesser versions as I didn't think the RB250 worked on my old TD160BC well at all. It put too much strain on the suspension.

As far as high compliance carts go there is the Shure V15III with JICO SAS stylus.

 

[lini]

meme: I'm not sure about the subchassis springs themselves, but at least it got some special damping (and I believe that also made it better geared to heavier arms - though it certainly didn't lack a large helping of springiness with the G707, nevertheless

) - and then mat and plinth were thicker and higher quality, the bearing was stronger and the lid had better hinges (all compared to the TD160IIBC it was based on). However, what I really miss today is neither table, nor arm - but that bloody Yamaha MC-505: That thingy was extremely neutral in a good sense and highly resolving, but not the least brittle, and provided excellent imaging... If Yamaha still sold that cartridge today for some 300 Euro, I'd instantly buy three, even if I was completely broke. Probably.

Grinnings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Of course, I'd slap one of those Yamahas on my Dual CS505-4 and would call it the Anti-Rega!

 

[n_maher]

Jpak,

If you decide to hunt one down drop me a PM, for a local buyer I might be willing to part with my TD160 MKI

 

[J-Pak]

Thanks for all the help. I've searched the Steve Hoffman forums today and there's a wealth of information there as well.

Nate once I'm closer to committing I'll drop you a message.

 

[ssportclay]

The rule of thumb as noted is that tonearms that work well on the Linn tables will also work on the Thorens tables.Most seem to agree that unipivots also work on these tables as well.I would generally recommend the more aggressive Audio Technica cartridges over the more polite Shures with any of the stock tonearms due to the old style wiring.The Shures are good but most of the people I know who really love them pretty much insist that their tonearms need to be rewired to get the most out of them.In other words,Shure cartridges seem to be very wiring sensitive.My Thorens TD-160 has given me reliable service since the mid 70s and my entire record collection is in perfect condition with no detectable wear whatsoever.I have since upgraded to a Technics 1200 due to my bouncy wooden floors.

 

[audiomagnate]

Just my 2 cents. I used to be a Thorens dealer. I love the 125.I think the 160 is a toy in comparison.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

thanks for more information on the 150 and 160. think i might do some bonding with my dad modding a TD160 some time! that would be a fun father/son project.

 

[ssportclay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiomagnate /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just my 2 cents. I used to be a Thorens dealer. I love the 125.I think the 160 is a toy in comparison.

I have to agree with you.A TD-160 is a toy by compairison although a toy with an excellent platter and bearings.The TD-125 is a tank.

 

[Herandu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssportclay /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Shures are good but most of the people I know who really love them pretty much insist that their tonearms need to be rewired to get the most out of them.In other words,Shure cartridges seem to be very wiring sensitive.

I never thought of it that way, but it may well be the reason I never got the hang of the Shure cartridges. I always felt them to be a bit cloudy to my taste. A pity I gave away my high-end selection of Shure heads and needles, some still unopened

. It would have been nice to try out a rewiring. Thanks for the belated tip