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Just got back to listening to my old records but noticed that the turntable is rather old and thought perhaps an upgrade is worth the while. Here's what I have now:-
Thorens TD160Super
SME Series III
Shure M95HE
The question is, if I wish to do an upgrade, how much money should I set aside and what the the candidates to consider. I know it may be tough to try to relate this old setup to the present lot of equipments but hope someone can help.
Thanks in advance.
Follow Ups:
Thanks for the advice.
Amps are Sonic Frontiers and Speakers Magnepan IIIa. Music is mainly 70s and 80s pop.
Cannot say what I do not like about the Thorens but thought something newer appealing. Trouble is do not know where to start.
I would first consider a budget & your current phono amp, MM or MC cartridge? Do you want something that is plug & play, or do you like tweaking gear? I would just start eliminating things you don't want/fit, & then see what is left. Lots of info in the vinyl archive section.Richard :)
Seems almost a concensus here that I should try do something with what I have then to upgrade. Problem is I'm not handy at all with all these tweaking. In fact, I'm not even sure if the turntable is properly set up since it's been there almost untouched (save for the change of belts) for the last 20 years or so.
Any idea where I'll find some advice?
I would search the vinyl & tweak archives for Thorens, SME series III, & 3009/III. Also, go to the FAQ section here, & look at vinyl & turntables. Then if you have a specific question, I would guess one of the inmates would offer help. Also, if you have any shops in your area, it might not hurt to drop in & talk to them. The bottom line is your table, properly set-up, with a quality high compliance cartridge, & matching phono amp ... should give you a very musical & enjoyable set up. Then you can decide if you want to try tweaking or a new table, having your table as a reference. ... Of course, it's just my opinion.Richard :)
nt
[Badfinger]
Hi,
What don't you like about the Thorens? Have you considered tweaking it?Richard D
many years ago (10?) The Absolute Sound had a review of a Chadwick modified Thorens. The bottom of the turntable which was hardboard or something like it was replaced using Baltic Birch plywood. some type of cone was used underneath it as well.
the review was in The Absolute Sound, vol 14,issue 58, march/april 1989.(pgs.102-105), reviewed by Steven Stone, including a response from Steven C.Grant.9 mods were done:
1) baltic birch plywood 1/2/" replacing the existing bottom plate with three spikes or cones underneath
2) isolation of the 3 suspension springs of the suspension using new gaskets and silicon
3) dampning the top of the motor plate and the underside of the top plate with 2 kinds of silicon damping material
4) readjustment of the bearings and selective damping of the arm tube
5) dampning of the the platter hub with silicon and rebalancing
6) lining the underside of the arm board with cork for further isolation
7) replacing the rubber mat with a Chadwick "Corktone" mat
8) replacing the standard interconnect with a Sumiko PIP box and the interconnects of your choice
9) installing and aligning of the arm and cartridge of your choiceThe Thorens was a garbage TD-125 w/Ultracraft 3000 tonearm and a few cartridges(Denon 109E, Ortofon MC-5, AQ 404i, ADC XLM-1). Comparing the unit to a VPI Hw-19 Mk2 w/Mk3 motor, Souther Tri-quartz arm, Clearaudio Veritas cartridge and Souther Superlitz interconnect. ($2700USD Vs $600USD)
SS concluded that the Chadwick was much closer than one would expect, with the VPI having a better sense of air, differentiating the instruments better and having a greater sense of ease. The Thorens was harmonically richer--the VPI was more correct.Just a guy rambling on....
stew
how do you tweak a thorens 160 super? can this be substantially be improved?
If you do a search of Thorens TD-160, TD-145, you will get a wealth of info about tweaking your table. The Thorens is very tweak friendly, & I think a great table to have fun with. Of course, you can spend a lot of money & buy something new & more modern.
The first thing I would do is make sure the table is set-up properly. Clean & oil the platter bearing, new belt, & look into a super cartridge for it. you might have a look at the Grado Platinum, new low output Grado Platinum, Shure V15Vxmr, or other high compliance cart. Your arm is not suited to moving coil carts, but there are really good MM one available. I would pick something that would also work for a Rega RB 250/300, in case you decide to upgrade the arm.
I'm working on my TD-160, & I decided that I want a better plinth, before I do anything else. Then you can evaluate tweaks, as you make them. There is damping the platter & top plate, a platter mat, stiffening the sub-chassis plate, & on & on. There are some very good people who have done these tweaks, who visit these boards. Then you might look to see if you want a better phono amp. You can e-mail me, if you would like.Richard D
Just to let you know that the TD 160 Super is essentially a pre-tweaked version of the TD 160mkII. The plinth of the TD160 Super has an MDF plinth and it is thicker than that of the TD160 mkI and TD160 mkII. The super also has damping material applied to the base of the top plate and the top of the sub-chassis.Best regards,
Brian
Shows that Thorens felt the wood plinth needed some help. Also, I would guess that damping materials have come a long way, since the 160 Super was sold. Unforunately, I only have a 160 Mk1, so making a better plinth is really important to me. ... Thank's for the info.Richard :)
> Also, I would guess that damping materials have come a long way, since the 160 Super was sold.I don't agree with that.
For damping, the main requirement is a material with a very low mechanical Q, and such materials have been available for quite long time.
Best regards
Brian
How does one go about stiffening the subchassis plate?
understand that I am just working on these mods, & better solutions may be found. What I am thinking right now, is to use a light epoxy & some of that plastic eggcrate overhead lighting cover stuff. It is very ridgid & very light. ... It's one way, I may find something better.Richard :)
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