What cartridge should I get for myb Thorens TD-145?

D

dpg3

Well-Known Member
The Thorens TD-145 I just bought has a Audio-Technica CN5625AL Cartridge
http://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-CN5625AL-Cartridge?sc=2&category=363
and the seller said that I should upgrade to a better cart. Any suggestions as to what cart would go well with this TT? I'm on a budget, the highest I would go is about $120.00 US , I know that's not a lot but it's all I have at the moment. I am open to good carts that cost less. Just trying to get the most out of my Thorens!!
Now I have a ADC XLM MK III cart that is on my Technics SL-23.. Some say it can be used on the TD-145 and some say it can't. I know it's a great cart, so if was possible for it to be used on the TD-145, that would be great. If not, I'll just have to get a different cart.
 
Last edited:
dpg3 said:
Now I have a ADC XLM MK III cart that is on my Technics SL-23.. Some say it can be used on the TD-145 and some say it can't. I know it's a great cart, so if was possible for it to be used on the TD-145, that would be great. If not, I'll just have to get a different cart.
Click to expand...

What is the reasoning behind that rationale? :idea:
 
Balifly said:
What is the reasoning behind that rationale? :idea:
Click to expand...

Not sure of the reasoning, it's just what I'm reading here on Audiokarma and elsewhere.
So it's very confusing to me.
Like this thread the poster says: "My question tonight is I have an opportunity to get a Thorens TD 145....
I will most likely mount a ADC XLM MK III cartridge on the Thorens."
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/marantz-6300-vs-thorens-td-145.631821/
And other comments I'm seeing from vinylengine.com:
"I have an ADC XLM MkII with worn stylus. I got it off a tt I picked up and don't know if it works. Is there a way to test before I buy a replacement stylus?? I'd like to put on my Thorens TD160 MkII"
If I could use the ADC then I wouldn't have to buy a new cart. But If I can't that's OK as well, I don't mind
getting a new cart!!
So any suggestions on a good cart for my TD-145, would be much appreciated!!
 
dpg3 said:
Not sure of the reasoning, it's just what I'm reading here on Audiokarma and elsewhere.
So it's very confusing to me.
Like this thread the poster says: "My question tonight is I have an opportunity to get a Thorens TD 145....
I will most likely mount a ADC XLM MK III cartridge on the Thorens."
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/marantz-6300-vs-thorens-td-145.631821/
And other comments I'm seeing from vinylengine.com:
"I have an ADC XLM MkII with worn stylus. I got it off a tt I picked up and don't know if it works. Is there a way to test before I buy a replacement stylus?? I'd like to put on my Thorens TD160 MkII"
If I could use the ADC then I wouldn't have to buy a new cart. But If I can't that's OK as well, I don't mind
getting a new cart!!
So any suggestions on a good cart for my TD-145, would be much appreciated!!
Click to expand...

In the budget area the Shure M 97xE would be a good cartridge.
https://www.amazon.com/SHURE-HIGH-P...UTF8&qid=1467522527&sr=1-4&keywords=Shure+M97

Very similar to what you already have in the ADC XLM MKIII :

0.2 x 0.7 mil Nude Diamond elliptical tip needle
Use what you have on hand for now. :thumbsup:

You can get an elliptical stylus for the Audio-Technica CN5625AL Cartridge and use that on the Technics turn table.
http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle-211-DE-copy_p_1059.html

For the same amount of money you can also get the Audio Technica AT 95E cartridge for the Technics turn table.
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Techni...ie=UTF8&qid=1467522486&sr=1-1&keywords=at+95e
 
I'm looking at two cartridges for my Thorens TD-145.
Grado Black 1 for $99 CDN or Ortofon 2M Red
$129 CDN any other suggestions would be great. My budget isn't much so I can't go above about 130 Canadian bucks.
Are these decent cartridges?
 
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You could get an aftermarket upgrade stylus for the CN5625AL. It's a pretty good cartridge, and I believe with a better stylus you could get more bang for your buck than something like Grado Black or 2M Red.

Is your TD-145 the original with the heavier TP-16 arm or a later model with a lighter arm (black arm tube)?
 
Hi,

With the older heavier arm go for the AT95VL for $100.
With the later lighter arm go for the ADC XLK mkiii.

rgds, sreten.
 
IMG_5519.JPG 22.jpg
muovimies said:
You could get an aftermarket upgrade stylus for the CN5625AL. It's a pretty good cartridge, and I believe with a better stylus you could get more bang for your buck than something like Grado Black or 2M Red.

Is your TD-145 the original with the heavier TP-16 arm or a later model with a lighter arm (black arm tube)?
Click to expand...
I must have the TP-16 because my arm tube is silver, as you can see in the picture. Now I'm colorblind so it looks silver to me lol!!
 
Balifly said:
In the budget area the Shure M 97xE would be a good cartridge.
https://www.amazon.com/SHURE-HIGH-P...UTF8&qid=1467522527&sr=1-4&keywords=Shure+M97

Very similar to what you already have in the ADC XLM MKIII :

0.2 x 0.7 mil Nude Diamond elliptical tip needle
Use what you have on hand for now. :thumbsup:

You can get an elliptical stylus for the Audio-Technica CN5625AL Cartridge and use that on the Technics turn table.
http://www.turntableneedles.com/Needle-211-DE-copy_p_1059.html

For the same amount of money you can also get the Audio Technica AT 95E cartridge for the Technics turn table.
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Techni...ie=UTF8&qid=1467522486&sr=1-1&keywords=at+95e
Click to expand...

I can get the Shure M97 XE locally for $109.
http://brooklynaudioinc.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=6_102&product_id=815
I'm thinking of selling the SL-23 Technics, not sure yet though!!
 
sreten said:
Hi,

With the older heavier arm go for the AT95VL for $100.
With the later lighter arm go for the ADC XLK mkiii.

rgds, sreten.
Click to expand...

Could I use the Shure M97 XE with the heavier arm? I can source it locally for $109.
So if I had the lighter arm, I could've used the ADC XLK mkiii from my Technics TT?
 
dpg3 said:
Could I use the Shure M97 XE with the heavier arm? I can source it locally for $109.
So if I had the lighter arm, I could've used the ADC XLK mkiii from my Technics TT?
Click to expand...

The build in brush/stabilizer will compensate for the different tone arm weight.

It means adding 0.5 gram to the overall VTF you choose.

For example : 1.25 + 0.5 = 1.75 with using brush/stabilizer. :)

You can still use the ADC if you like.

Keep it as a back up for now.
 
Balifly said:
That's a pretty good price for Shure. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I'm calling the store tomorrow to see if they have it in stock. So it's a better bet than the Grado Black or 2M Red?
I've always had good luck with Shure.
If they have it, I might see if they can install it for me. I've never done it before. The Thorens TD-145 headshell
has that odd glued on decal over the screws.
 
dpg3 said:
I'm calling the store tomorrow to see if they have it in stock. So it's a better bet than the Grado Black or 2M Red?
I've always had good luck with Shure.
If they have it, I might see if they can install it for me. I've never done it before. The Thorens TD-145 headshell
has that odd glued on decal over the screws.
Click to expand...

Good idea.

They will know how to align the cartridge in the head shell as well.

Enjoy! :music:
 
Balifly said:
The build in brush/stabilizer will compensate for the different tone arm weight.

It means adding 0.5 gram to the overall VTF you choose.

For example : 1.25 + 0.5 = 1.75 with using brush/stabilizer. :)

You can still use the ADC if you like.

Keep it as a back up for now.
Click to expand...

I'd heard that the ADC was a very exceptional cart, which is why I wanted to use it on the Thorens.
 
Balifly said:
Good idea.

They will know how to align the cartridge in the head shell as well.

Enjoy! :music:
Click to expand...
That's what I was thinking!!
I've been playing vinyl almost constantly since I got the Thorens. There is just something about that retro look and even with it's current cart, a very decent sound. What could I use to give that wood on it a bit of a shine?
 
dpg3 said:
That's what I was thinking!!
I've been playing vinyl almost constantly since I got the Thorens. There is just something about that retro look and even with it's current cart, a very decent sound. What could I use to give that wood on it a bit of a shine?
Click to expand...

Light furniture polish.

Go easy on it, the veneer is pretty old. :eek:
 
I've heard the M97xE on that arm - sounds pretty good. I like the Nagaoka MP-110 better. A 110 is the cart a friend has on his TD-160 (with the same tonearm as your 145). The 97xE and 110 are roughly the same price. There is/was an eBay vendor out of Japan that was selling the 110 for around $100.
 
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