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When less is more...10 reasons to own Thorens

I KNOW my Thorens TD-160 series is not the last word. I've pereviously owned an Oracle Delphi with SAEC arm, and a Rega P25, and can vouch for the superiority of both over the 166, but...

1. I can listen all day to my "simulated stereo" LPs and it STILL sounds good.

2. Fake reverb sounds convincing as intended by the record producers

3. Warp wow and off-center pressings are not usually an issue when motor cogging obscures these faults-- two wrongs DO make a right!

4. Motor, bearing, switches and everything else will stll work fine 20 years from now.

5. Bouncy spring suspension forces you-- the listener to stay put and listen to the entire side of your LP or risk walking across the floor and sending the tonearm and cartridge flying across the record surface.

6. Works great with Grado cartridges!

7. Sounds better than most CDs (*IMO) when comparing the LP to a good digital reissue

8. Easy tonearm upgrade, accepts many cheap used arms (Jelco, Linn, etc)

9. NO PARTICLE BOARD!!!

10. Like a drug, only safer and still legal to own and operate
cocoabaroque

Showing 3 responses by jeremy72

jeremy72
97 posts
 
Because the good vintage models can be modified and updated to run neck and neck with new tables - ex. TD124 (I or II), TD125 (I or II), TD160 (MkI only) If I had the extra dough I'd grab one of those wicked Artisan Fidelity modded Thorens with the solid Maple plinths in a heartbeat.

"9. NO PARTICLE BOARD!!!"

No, not true. Many models (most in fact, including td160's & 125's) used wood veneer over pressed wood particle board in the chintzy factory plinths. just look under the factory plinth, you'll see along the bottom edge.

I'd grab a td125 and have AF put a new dc motor in that table, then you'd have a modern turntable with the heart of a REAL Thorens.
jeremy72
97 posts
 
Nandric, Read their ads. Artisan Fidelity modifies the TD125 from the spring type to a fixed suspension. This mod/option was mentioned also in the td125 owners manual. So, they actually do benefit very much by having those high mass plinths.

I read somewhere the same outfit also converts TD160 MkI's from standard to Super. The only difference between the Mk1 and Super was internal dampening, better armboard and thicker vennered particle board plinth. Same bearing was used in each, ect...

http://www.theanalogdept.com/thorens_gallery.htm (read 160 Super description halfway down)

Bet with that new dc motor mod they offer, one of those Super converted 160's would be really something.
jeremy72
97 posts
 
Check the gallery pics for super modded td160's. I think you might have to contact them for new motor info. My experience with Thorens dc motor upgrade has been just the opposite, heard an Origin live dc200 on a td125 and it was awesome. More impact and life + energy over stock. Far from waste of money imo.

Maybe your lp12 dc motor was not setup right? Its not as easy as 1 2 3, it does take a little skill to do properly.

Putting a high quality new dc motor in these vintage decks can only help resale value, if its done right. imo No, you won't get all your money back of course but thats with anything you buy new then sell used in audio.

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