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Question for Thorens freaks!

T

tdan

Member
I'm in the process of tweaking my TD 165. I've been over to the analog dept., and I've read the laundry list of items.

First tweak will be to replace that fiberboard base. I'm going for a chunk of corian(I'm in the construction biz, it costs me nothing). First question is: Should I go for spiked feet under the corian, or some kind of rubber isolators. Keep in mind that I can set the spiked feet on top of a slab of granite(kitchen sink cutouts are perfect). My inclination is to let the factory designed suspension do its thing, but just keep the turntable on a solid and heavy foundation.

Next question is in regard to a record clamp. I'm not about to put one of those 1 pound puck/paperweights on my nicely suspended turntable. I'm looking at the Michell delrin clamp, as the weight is negligible. My question is can you use the standard model on Thorens spindles, or do you have to use the clamp that Michell makes for the Rega turntables which supposedly have a shorter spindle than a "standard" turntable................thanks in advance.........tom
 
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There are several schools of thought about what to place the table on and whether to couple it or decouple it. On of the best stock 125s I ever heard was was using a decoupled base. It was based on the sandbox concept that came out in the early '70s. I've head a couple on cones and found it to easy to set up vibrations. None have had a replacement base and 1 was on a cast stone free standing base that did well but not as well as the sandbox. I suspect the answer lies in the flooring, foundation, room resonances, etc. being factored into the consideration.
 
I too have a TD 165 that I restored. I also don't like the base very much but, haven't decided what to do. I did add a record clamp and like you were concerned about a heavy weight on a lite weight system, so I got a rubber one. OMG, what a difference! I don't know why it makes such a difference but, I am guessing the while the clamping action holds the record down, the rubber has some dampening effect because you can really hear the difference. :yes:

Clyde
 
Spike it on an isolation base and use an "I" clamp. my 2 cents.
 
Clyde..........Where did you find that rubber clamp? I have read that some people use a drilled hockey puck as a record clamp. I was hoping to use something a little more aesthetically pleasing, but I am open minded on this. Have you tried a different platter mat on your unit?

Grumpy.........When you mention an "I" clamp, are you talking about the Sota?

Thanks for the input, folks!
 
tdan said:
Clyde..........Where did you find that rubber clamp? I have read that some people use a drilled hockey puck as a record clamp. I was hoping to use something a little more aesthetically pleasing, but I am open minded on this. Have you tried a different platter mat on your unit?

Grumpy.........When you mention an "I" clamp, are you talking about the Sota?

Thanks for the input, folks!
Click to expand...

Let me try this again. I tried replying to this 2 times last night and thought the 2nd time took but, I guess not. I bought the rubber clamp on ebay and have no idea who made it, nor have I ever seen another. It's not like other rubber clamps I have seen but works the same. It is about 3" tall and has a flat top. When you push down on the top it acts like a suction cup and grabs onto the spindle. It's a bit close but, will just work on a Thorens. It also has a bit of weight to it but nowhere as heavy as an a metal clamp. I love it and wish I could stumble onto another one.

Clyde
 
I regards to the Rubber clamp idea: I have not personally tried this, but this is what I would try were I going the el-cheepo route. :D

Look on Epay for some NOS rubber "reel holders". These were designed to fit onto spindles of reel to reel tape decks, before everyone started building in twist locks. The Spindles were exactly the same size, so they do indeed fit! :thmbsp:

BTW: Sota used to use one of these rubber reel hold-down clamps, that was made by Radio Shack, on their Star Saphire turntables back in the 80's. I had some of these rubber clamps on an old Roberts recorder back then, and I pointed this fact out to (much to the annoyance of) my friend who had just purchased one of these mega-buck TTs. They had litterally ground-off the Radio Shack insignia that was on the top of the puck (and there were grinder marks to prove it).:yes: It was really quite hillarious to me, and very annoying this friend who absolutely detested Radio Shack.
 
You guys were talking about clamps. I used a few hockey pucks years ago that weighs 6 ounces. A little less weight than 6 oz after you drill the hole in the center. :) This worked very well on my Dad's old B&O table and I have used it on the Denon table I got him. I use one occasionally for less than perfectly flat albums on my Well Tempered Classic. The lowly hockey puck did not seem to slow the tables down any. This is a very cheap and slick mod. Just drill a hole in the center and they work pretty darn good. The price is pretty inexpensive at around $1-3 for a genric hockey puck. The link has pucks for the princely sum of $1 each. John

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=IHP
 
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