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Should I keep a backup table? Do you guys have two of the same table?

Only 2?

That thorens is only going to become more desirable.

Unless you need the coin, keep it. Spare or second it's a very worthy backup.
 
Thanks guys, in my gut I know I want to keep it. Plus, I paid well over 500$ cdn including belt and replacement cart (I bought a 30$ sony as it had an ADC XLM MKIII on it). It was apparently not used at all. But the cover still manged to get scratched up...why are they so soft???
I am getting offer of 400$ and I have to sell it for 150$ less than I paid.
Cheers
 
My TD 125 is over 50 years old now and the Rabco is 45 years I would guess. That was the main reason I bought the Mark Levinson 515B which is an upgraded VPI Prime Signature with the Gimbal arm and an electronically controlled motor. I still use the Thorens the most as it is connected to the dedicated Stereo system. The Levinson is connected HT procesor which can feed the Stereo system if I choose.
 
I wouldn't part out a good condition working TD-160. That would either be kept or sold for what it is.

You can sell it without the headshell, there are repops available now or someone might want to change the arm.

If you have rumble problems with a Thorens, make sure the bearing well has oil in it, and make sure it doesn't have a deep divot ground into the thrust plate. Also worth making sure the belt isn't rubbing against the speed shift lever. If you can't see through the gap between the platter and plinth, flip the outer platter over and put it on top to see whats going on. The motors also sometimes develop a bit of a knocking noise when the internal thrust surfaces wear. There is a fix for that which involves gluing a thing on the back end of the motor and a set screw goes in there to take the place of the worn internal surface. Someone probably has a link to it, thinking I saw it at vinylnirvana but I may be misremembering that.
 
My turntable, a Yamaha YP-B2, is the only device that does not have a backup. I never play records. Everything comes from the Thinkpads and wifi systems.
 
Thanks guys. I am pretty sure the rumble is only when there is music playing. It definitely sound like very low level feedback, I don't even notice it for most songs.
If all my isolation tricks don't work, I will look into the other stuff suggested.

How is it possible that as kids, we slapped a record on and cranked it up!! We never cleaned our vinyl or calibrated or added oil or used a protractor. I never even remember changing a needle.
I guess that's a testament to how good most of the generic MIJ tables are.
But I do have vague memories of these rare and elusive high end Thoren's tables. I don't think I ever even saw one until I bought my TD-160
 
roofiscat said:
Yeah, I am getting some bass feedback. I just ordered a cork mat and some rubber furniture feet.
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I got rid of a lot of that by adding a chunk of horse stall mat under the table. I also made similar mats for under the big box speakers.

Careful with those feet, especially if they're sorbothane. Stuff works nice for isolation, but has a tendency to stain the hell out of wood and even eat paint if left in direct content long enough. Currently using Vibrapods.

31Xkzy03VUL._AC_UL160_.jpg


They come in several load versions, so just match them to the weight of your table. Only complaint was the indents for the feet were too deep, but I just added flat washers to build them up to the right height.

And ya ... nice to have a backup table, but wouldn't want to sink a lot of money into one. I got a real deal on a Technics SL23 to use while rebuilding my Mitsu, and keep it stashed for audio emergencies. Really nice table for the bucks, got a good cartridge, and no worries about destroying vinyl.

EDIT >> Your rumble could also be a simple level issue. I use a bubble to level my table at several positions on the plinth. Before you do that, make sure the platter is seated correctly on the spindle - it's easy to get one canted off center if you're not careful installing it.
 
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I think I will use the furniture pads and just have the table sit on them. I'll try it without using the adhesive. Or, I'll use the adhesive but play around with it on my hand to get rid of some of its stickiness. The turntable did come with this weird little rubber thing that I think goes on the spindle.
I just sold a HK T-60 that had the giant weight. I should have at least tried the weight.
 
Having a backup is wise. Having something different than the primary deck is more fun IMO....it just keeps things interesting without violating any wedding vows. :thumbsup:
 
roofiscat said:
Thanks guys, in my gut I know I want to keep it. Plus, I paid well over 500$ cdn including belt and replacement cart (I bought a 30$ sony as it had an ADC XLM MKIII on it). It was apparently not used at all. But the cover still manged to get scratched up...why are they so soft???
I am getting offer of 400$ and I have to sell it for 150$ less than I paid.
Cheers
Click to expand...

Have you put it on usaudiomart or canuckaudiomart (depending on whether you are in the US or Canada)? A minty unit like yours should be able to get $500.
 
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Im in Canada and don't want to sell it bad enough to try and ship it. Plus, I stole the cover for my 146 and the 160 cover is missing a tiny bit by the hinge...which according to most buyers makes it almost ready for the junk pile and only worth 100 bucks.
 
roofiscat said:
Im in Canada and don't want to sell it bad enough to try and ship it. Plus, I stole the cover for my 146 and the 160 cover is missing a tiny bit by the hinge...which according to most buyers makes it almost ready for the junk pile and only worth 100 bucks.
Click to expand...

I hear you. Many of us here buy turntables thinking we will sell it on once we give it a listen, and soon find ourselves with a dozen decks, two in every room!
 
Dealing with vintage, it's best to have a backup for everything. I'm covered with my 54 yr/old Elac by a 48 yr/old Dual in the TT department. Tube amp is new, but still covered by a spare, 3 cassette decks (covered there). If the TD-160 isn't broke I wouldn't sell it, make room somewhere and use it every once in a while.
 
Thanks guys. For now I will keep it unless I get my full 500$. I guess I'll take the belt off if it's not going to be used for a while.
 
roofiscat said:
Really? The cover of the turntable can cause the feedback? I find this all very interesting as I do have a science background and work in a lab.
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Especially when they're up and at high volume they can act like a sail for acoustic energy

roofiscat said:
How is it possible that as kids, we slapped a record on and cranked it up!! We never cleaned our vinyl or calibrated or added oil or used a protractor. I never even remember changing a needle.
Click to expand...
Define kid. :) I was 20 when I bought my 1st good table, a Beogram 1900. I tossed my few records and started over. Still have the Decca brush I bought at the same time. Even before that I knew my all-in-one Sylvania I got for my 16th Christmas was crap, it didn't sound as good as Dad's console that was off limits. Maybe I didn't have a chance. In 8th grade I snuck into my friend Otto's dad's room which was an acoustically isolated separate building with a double set of sliding glass doors to get to the house. It was chocked full of Mcintosh and RTR's. I was a goner.
 
I have two Technics, as you see in my signature. I recently had a problem with one and switched in the other while it was being repaired.
 
I have been on a turntable binge lately and I must say I really enjoy using the thorens.
Except for the 5 minutes of panic when I could not get the 146 working. I was sure it was dead. It has an extra little switch on the speed lever that the 160 does not have.
 
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