Thorens TTs......

[Aquateen]

Simply what models should I look for?

[michael w]

This wonderful site has lots of Thorens information.

http://www.theanalogdept.com/thorens_dept_.htm


cheerio

[Cafe Jeff]

Wow.
What a site! This internet thingie never ceases to amaze. Jeff

[michael w]

You're welcome.

;)

[proufo]

While they are very good and reliable TTs, parts are scarce.

If you have one already, it's nice to have it and keep it. But as the single TT in the system, it is not a good idea.

There are many well-reviewed inexpensive turntables. I'd stick to one of those.

Best regards.

Note: I have a 126MKIII. I bought a second unit for parts a couple of years ago, and have all the circuit diagrams. It will be the core of my tangential/pivoting/half-speed/CD-4/mebbe reverse TT.

[Aquateen]

I only have a cheap Sony TT right now but this summer I'm getting my first REAL stereo. I've heard Thorens parts are hard to come by but there's so many of them availible it seems like. What else would you recommend? I'm looking at vintage stuff.

[sgraham]

I dunno, I have a TD-125-III with an SME-III arm which has served me well for many years. It's hardly state of the art, but it was a *huge* and very audible jump forward from the Dual that preceded it. I got it quite cheaply second hand.

I would recommend something like this over a Thorens with its own non-replaceable tonearm.

After all these years, finally, the speed switch is getting a bit persnickety. I'll have to do something about that.

[Aquateen]

TD?

[Cafe Jeff]

Originally posted by michael w
You're welcome.

;)


Hi MW,
Is this your site? Jeff
If so, how about some Garrard?

:mad:

[Claus]

Thorens (http://www.thorens.com/018907930d0fd1610/index.htm) introduced some new turntables...

[proufo]

Originally posted by Claus
Thorens (http://www.thorens.com/018907930d0fd1610/index.htm) introduced some new turntables...
They don't seem at all related to the old or REAL Thorens line.

[michael w]

Originally posted by Cafe Jeff



Hi MW,
Is this your site? Jeff
If so, how about some Garrard?

:mad:

Nope, not my site.

I just posted the link.

A search on Google should throw out some Garrard fan sites.

cheerio

[audio]

According to Brian, owner and vinyl expert at the Analog Room, the best Thorens models are the 124, 126, and 160.

[sharedon]

Parts are very, very hard to find. so be warned.

[Claude]

theanalogdept.com is an amazing site. I learned a lot from it to setup my recently auctioned TD160Mk2.

Here's a site run by the german Thorens guru Holger Trass:

www.thorens-info.de

It's in german but there are many pictures and specifications

[petzi]

I don't know why I'd want to have any parts for a Thorens. These things don't break. But you do need a belt from time to time.

[petzi]

Originally posted by proufo

They don't seem at all related to the old or REAL Thorens line.

That's true. But it's not hard to find a good "real" Thorens.

[sharedon]

I've had a motor burn out and a few other things come and go... like everything else in the world, they can/do break sometimes!

[petzi]

Hmm, never happened to me, and not to anyone I know. But no doubt it happens.

[MARKM]

People - check out also Dr. Stefano Pasini's (sp?) webpage - www.stefanopasini.it he is quite an authority on vintage Thorens and has a very nice page.

I have run a TD124 Mk1 (albeit a mint one that required minimal restoration) c/w Ortofon SM212 tonearm since Jan' 2000. With a little TLC these units will last "forever". Stefano's article refers to them as "gepanzert plattenspieler" and that's exactly what they are.

I have only performed an annual clean - of the inner rim and pulley surfaces, in the last 3 yrs, using a little isopropyl alcohol and a cotton bud - bearing/lube has not needed attention.

One point - these units need a decent plinth - but that's another topic...

Cheers for now.
MarkM.

[MARKM]

PS: FYI: Mr Van Den Hul has a large shareholding in the relaunched Thorens "hi-end" decks. I have seen one at Frankfurt the other week - a beastie.

MarkM.

[proufo]

Originally posted by petzi
I don't know why I'd want to have any parts for a Thorens. These things don't break. But you do need a belt from time to time.
Motors do wear out.

[proufo]

BTW, my 126 is a 125/126 hybrid. It uses the platter/bearing/sub-platform of a 125 with the enclosure and electronics of a 126. It's all bolt-on.

It seems the factory felt that with the improved electronic speed control, a lighter and cheaper platter could be used in the 126.