Thorens TD160 upgrade complete-almost (Pics)

[jdandy]

Alberto.......Every time I see a photo of your turntable I find myself lusting for one exactly like it. Beautiful. I predict this turntable will be in your system for a very long time.

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Congratulations. Thorens tables are great and you did a wonderful job on your plinth.

The best endorsement I can give vintage Thorens is that, after trying several modern tables, I sold them all and I am in my 5th year (or so) with my re-plinthed TD-125 + SME 3009/II + Clearaudio Maestro MM cartridge.



10 out of 10 on the delicious sound scale - smooth, liquid, warm, etc. A real pleasure.

Alberto

P.S. I wish I could take credit for the plinth, but it was done by a pro.

Alberto....one of my favorite 'tables you've put together a beautiful system that is musical

Dave

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by ehoove

Thanks, I can't wait to get started on this next step of the project. I'm already Working out the plans for the mounting.
Regards,
Jim

Jim...that's a great arm don't forget to post picks and your impressions.

Dave

[f1 fan]

Originally Posted by two dot

Alberto,

You are not the only one finding pleasure in an older "less hi-fi" turntable.

I have an LP-12/Ittok/Blackbird sitting idle while my Micro Seiki DD-40/MA505/2M Black spins happily away giving me that delicious sound that I crave.

Stephen...forget the hi fi, remember the music

Dave

[ehoove]

I decided on mounting a Project 9cc arm on the TD160, and since you rarely see a 9CC Carbon Fiber arm at a deal, I jumped on it. Pro-Ject offers the 9cc/Blackbird combo as a factory option, so I thought I would give it a try. Plus at a third of the cost of a SME 309 it seemed to be a viable option financially especially since I have experience with the Blackbird and the Pro-ject 9c arm as well. The 9cc arm has a lower effective mass than the 9c so it should be interesting. Only my ears will know for sure just how well this mix of old and new technology works out.

UPDATE!!!

I just got back from picking up the Pro-Ject 9cc from the post office. 3 days from the orient, amazing. I have started working on the armboard, and hope to have it mounted and tracing by next weekend.

Regards,
Jim

[f1 fan]

Jim...congrats on your new arm, post some pics and let us know your impressions.

Dave

[ehoove]

Things have become a bit complicated. The specs on the 9cc show no mounting height and the arm is designed to be a replacement for the 9c I suppose. The mounting height is well above any standard such as Magnapan Unitrac, SME, or Jelco, so to mount the arm on the TD160 will take some surgery to the sub structure that carries the Plater bearing and tone arm mount. The plate will need to be cut and the armboard section lowered by inserting a spacer between the two sections. I picked up a parts unit, so I can restore it to stock condition if I so decide. The options are as follows (1.) Do the surgery and install the 9cc on the TD160, or (2.) Install a more standard arm Magnapan Unitrac 1, and pick up and hot rod a TD150 to mount the 9cc on. Since I have the parts unit I will try the 9cc on the TD160 after the surgery if the sub plater bearing is in good shape. Either way this has turned into quite a project!
Regards,
Jim

[f1 fan]

Jim...that is a project keep us posted.

Dave

[ehoove]

Another option has opened up. Pro-ject appears to make a Linn mounting collar that allows the cue mechanism to to go past the collar to the armboard to accommodate the height difference. Now to try and find one is the next problem!
Regards,
Jim

[f1 fan]

Jim...keep us updated

Dave