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Rega and Thorens TD160

Derek, with cartridge mounted and in groove tone arm is parallel, vta seems within specs both statically (to Rega/OriginLIve specs) and dynamically. I have absolutely no vta adjuster on this setup. Everything looks correct, it appears now that I've finally gotten the arm lowered enough I can add a vta adjuster (which only raises the tonearm from static postion). Again, I can only surmise I either have a very unique Thorens, or I was sold the wrong armboard.
 
Yes, at this point I can even add some height to the tonearm which means I can use a vta adjuster! Miracles do happen!
 
This I won't know for a bit as I'm waiting for a tracking force guage, Fremer DVD to make sure things are set up correctly, and I still need to do some more grinding on the subchassis so that the tonearm mounting nut does not interfere. Probably going for the Riggle VTAF as well. Probably get it up and running next week sometime.
 
In doing some research discovered that while Riggle VTAF could probably be made to fit with an extension for armboard, I'm not going to hassle with it. From the schematic it appears the screw for the guide will locate precisely at armboard/top plate junction, this is a no go for me, I've had enough hassles. I've decided to go with the Expressimo VTA sleeve, should only need extra washers for retaining nut on bottom (sleeve will likely protrude through my shortened armboard).
By the way, forgot to mention this previously, arm came with the Pete Riggle structural mod (CCM) as well.
Anyway, this Thorens project will be pretty much maxed out in the end, I hope its worth all the trouble, if not I'll simply move on to another turntable project.
 
If not you could always just sell me your Thorens, then move on to another turntable project:thmbsp:
 
I've had a similar problem with vta with an sme 3009 tonearm going on a 160 super. It was just to damn high!! The tonearm was on a custom made armboard from some dude in the UK who apparently knows what he's doing. My turnttable came from KR audio and when I contacted them about the problem they treated me like I was insane or something. I eventually had the armboard pegs grinded down and it is better now but the arm is still bottomed out on the board (not a big deal). Anyways, it was a very frustrating experience.
 
Rega with Thorens

Just wanted to let everybody know, I have a td160 with rb301 and sound support armboard, I had absolutly no problems with fitting the arm, I did have to file the piece of metal that holds the armboard to allow the bottom of the rega to sit correctl but this only took 5 mins. I am using a denon dl110 and the vta is spot on as installed. Huge improvement over the thorens stock arm.
 
What about a router? You can neatly recess the base of the Rega into the armboard maybe? I have never heard of these issues w/ Rega RB250 and Thorens TD-160. I have both. Thanks for the heads up.
 
goldear said:
I personally didn't answer your previous post because I found it to be rather confusing, to read, and so I didn't understand your problem sufficiently.

If I am understanding you correctly, then it sounds to me like the base of your arm is too deep for your plinth. If this is correct, then you may well be correct that the Rega is not an optimal match for the TD-160.

If I were to try to make this combination work, I would construct a new plinth for the TD-160 that is both deeper, and beefier than the original. You may well actually improve the sonics of the table itself by doing this too.
Click to expand...

The Plinth has no effect on the arm mounting since the arm is mounted on the suspended sub plate that carries the platter bearing and the armboard. Therefore without surgery on the sub platter to lower the arm board many arms can be problematic to mount on these tables. I'm running a ProJect 9cc arm on my TD160, and had to source an unobtainium factory Linn mount to make it work on my TD160 with out surgery. (The standard Pro-Ject mounting collar was too tall) These tables when modified to meet or exceed the TD160 Super factory mods make wonderful platforms that will support many top level arms, but be aware of the tone arm height issues involved. I found out the hard way, but luckily found a workable solution.:D

And yes the TD160/TD150/TD125-126 do benefit from a heavier plinth with improved sonics.

Regards,
Jim
 
ehoove said:
The Plinth has no effect on the arm mounting since the arm is mounted on the suspended sub plate that carries the platter bearing and the armboard. Therefore without surgery on the sub platter to lower the arm board many arms can be problematic to mount on these tables. I'm running a ProJect 9cc arm on my TD160, and had to source an unobtainium factory Linn mount to make it work on my TD160 with out surgery. (The standard Pro-Ject mounting collar was too tall) These tables when modified to meet or exceed the TD160 Super factory mods make wonderful platforms that will support many top level arms, but be aware of the tone arm height issues involved. I found out the hard way, but luckily found a workable solution.:D

And yes the TD160/TD150/TD125-126 do benefit from a heavier plinth with improved sonics.

Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...

Heavier plinth than a TD-125? It is it's own thick metal plinth. It wouldn't be a TD-125 w/o it. Changing it would be impossible. Heavier box for the plinth, maybe. The others you mention are definitely lighter though but totally different plinth style- those could benefit for sure. They are just thin sheet metal mounted over the box.

Wait, are you talking about adding mass underneath to the TD-125 plinth and beefing up the springs?
 
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Heavier plinth than a TD-125? It is it's own thick metal plinth. It wouldn't be a TD-125 w/o it.
Click to expand...

The plinth is the wood and not the metal motor plate.Adding mass to stock plinth improves the SQ of the turntable like I did to my TD150.
img_1429.jpg
 
Hi,
I have a Rega on my TD125 and it works great, but it's really a different turntable
mounting system than the 160, but year ago I had a 160 and it's true it's a little
difficult to add a different arm to it, but today with all the different parts available
it's a little easier.

Tube
 
sns109 said:
By the way, I did construct a plinth out of 2" quilted cherry, top plate is inset into top of plinth so that is supported all the way around, rather than by tacked on pieces of wood I've seen in many plinths. Other mods include Extreme Dynamat on subchassis, bearing housing, around motor, 3m Audio Additives vibration pads on subchassis at arm mount, same pads on underside of custom armboard, rewired for IEC receptacle (Furutech), Incognito wire on Rega, bearing support pad, main bearing oil and drive belt from srm-tech.co.uk. Tweaking suspension to no end to get level and correct bounce. BDR cones for support (screwed into plinth so there is some leveling capability). I also constructed my own wall/stud mounted shelf made from 1 1/2" maple.
I will probably use the Herbies TT mat, various thickness to further key in my VTA.
Click to expand...
:worthless
 
The new arm board as you know attaches to the lower suspension plate. Vinyl Nirvana has a well designed armboard that has about a 1/2' stand off from the underside of the board, it floats above the top plate. The armboard is designed to move with the suspension, it should never sit flat on the top plate. You will bind your suspension and likely damage your stylus. I just rebuilt a TD 160 with an rb808 w/ Ortofon 2M Bronze, with no vta adjustment installed or needed. It sounds pristine across the entire HZ spectrum.

I put a new Linn psu in to convert it to U.S. power ( cleaner power over stock 40yr old psu), new 60hz aluminum clutched pulley (don't buy and unclutched one it will wear on the motor during starts), all new suspension springs, grommets minus cotton material inside the spring, new belt & glued 1/16" cork on the bottom side of the suspension plate. It run smooth as silk and you can't hear it running unless you put your ear real close, even then it's nothing.

The anti-skating & counter weight is to spec for the cartridge. The tonearm narrows from front to back to getting a level on it to check is difficult. I relied on Vinyl Nirvana's armboard engineering and listened to it first to see if a vta was necessary, it wasn't. You have one of the lower grade rb arms, I'd rewire it with an Origin live kit & 2mm silver rca cables, with gold plated rca plugs and get the Vinyl Nirvana armboard. All that aside, it could all be well and good but, a low grade cartridge will negate the rewiring from it's true potential.

Armboard link: vinylnirvana.com/product/black-rega-3-point-style-tonearm-mounting-plate-armboard-for-thorens-td-16x-models-copy
 
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