Recently I've found a THORENS TD-146, tonearm TP 11 MK III, which seems to be in good condition and I want your opinion on this model. I know it is the same as the TD-166 but with an automatic lift of the tonearm at record lead-out. I just can't afford a TD-160 or TD-150 now. My current record player is DUAL 704 which is an excellent electronically controlled direct drive with the EDS 900 motor, which is very precise on speed and also very quiet.
Thorens Td-146
- Thread starter anatolk
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I bought a TD146 around 1983/84. Six months later, I heard a Linn LP12, which got so much more information off the record that I simply had to have it. The TD146 was a decent, budget-priced turntable which my older brother is still happily using. Whether it would outperform your current Dual is something you'll have to let your ears decide.
Well, I'd hope that was the case. I'm pretty sure that the TD146 and the LP-12 were never intended to be in the same league.
Thorens tables can be finicky beasts, though. You've got to be sure that you've got all the set up parameters accounted for: the table is level, the suspension is properly adjusted, the belt is new or in good condition, the platform that the table is sitting on has to be free of room vibrations, foot falls, etc., the cartridge is aligned and VTA adjusted, etc., etc. Once all those parameters are accounted for, then you can start tweaking.
The Thorens will likely be competitive with the 704, and may actually outperform it in the rumble department. The Thorens also may have the better tonearm of the two. In terms of absolute ability to be faithful to the recorded signal, a properly set up Thorens may be the winner between the two tables.
The 704 will have accurate rotation speed, and likely be a lot less finicky about set up. It has a decent tonearm, and is a bit less susceptible to vibrations (though it will still skip with a decent foot fall, unless mounted on a shelf or in a room with a concrete floor).
So, some of this is base on your preferences as to which table meets your needs. I'd likely opt for the Thorens, with the understanding that it might need some tweaks to get the most out of it.
@jrtrent, LINN LP-12 is not in the same price range and I can't afford it now
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Тhe floor is concrete and the turntable will be sitting on a solid MDF rack. The TD-146 is a little more expensive than my DUAL and i don't know if it's in the same class as the DUAL... or in a class of its own... There is a lot of information about the TD-160, for example, but not that much about the TD-146. I think I should read about the TD-166, right?
.Тhe floor is concrete and the turntable will be sitting on a solid MDF rack. The TD-146 is a little more expensive than my DUAL and i don't know if it's in the same class as the DUAL... or in a class of its own... There is a lot of information about the TD-160, for example, but not that much about the TD-146. I think I should read about the TD-166, right?
lini
just me...
anatolk: Would you intend the 146 to replace your 704 - or as a second table? If it's the former, you might be disappointed, as the 146 rather is a sidegrade than an upgrade compared to the 704. In addition, I'd deem it questionable whether the 146 will do any better in terms of rumble - and whether a TP11III plays any better than the arm of the 704 will probably also rather be a question of individual condition... However, if you want the Thorens as a second table and it's in fine condition and would come for a fair price: thumbs up - it's a nice table, too.
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
@jrtrent, LINN LP-12 is not in the same price range and I can't afford it now
Тhe floor is concrete and the turntable will be sitting on a solid MDF rack. The TD-146 is a little more expensive than my DUAL and i don't know if it's in the same class as the DUAL... or in a class of its own... There is a lot of information about the TD-160, for example, but not that much about the TD-146. I think I should read about the TD-166, right?
My only point, stated much better by Lini, is that you might want to be sure you're getting improved sound for your money. My advice is to visit dealers, if at all possible, to hear different turntables and find a model that represents the level of playback quality you'd like. Then save your money til you can get it. In the '70's and early '80's, I wasted money and years of time going through a variety of mid-fi turntables before hearing the difference a quality model can make, then devised a savings plan and waited til I could buy something I knew was truly better.
When I bought the TD-146, the dealer suggested stepping up to the TD-147 model, but he was unable to explain or demonstrate that the TD-147 was worth the extra money. Several months later, when shopping for a new amplifier, another dealer told me a new amp wouldn't help til I'd upgraded my turntable, but he could both explain and demonstrate that what he was suggesting really made a difference. That's when I started saving for the LP12.
hifi_nut
Vintage? I´m vintage!
The Dual 704 is a fine deck, and Dual arms are incomprheensibly underrated, but fine pieces of engineering.
I´m a big Thorens fan, but in this case I´m siding with those who doubt you´ll get any improvement. IMO this would be more of a side move, rather than an upwards one.
I´m a big Thorens fan, but in this case I´m siding with those who doubt you´ll get any improvement. IMO this would be more of a side move, rather than an upwards one.
lini
just me...
Might be the somewhat fragile appearance of quite a few Dual arms. Then again, maybe some people just don't like stock arms, as a lot of the Thorens arms aren't really well regarded, either. And just look at the plethora of threads about exchanging the stock arms on the Technics SL-12x0MkII et cetera. Makes me wonder how many of these opinions might actually just be based on arms in bad working condition or not so great arm/cartridge combinations...
Greetings from Munich!
Manfred / lini
hifi_nut
Vintage? I´m vintage!
The tonearm of the DUAL 704 is good. Well, I had to repair the external anti-resonator and still don't know if I did it right. There is almost no information about it in the service manual, I had to figure it myself how to assemble it... It is a very fine mechanism, which, i think should oscilate at the tail of the tonearm, and I tuned it that way. The DD is also excellent, it's a very quiet motor I had no problems with. Anyway, germans economized on some parts - the antiskating mechanism has an importand part of a very peculiar form, which they made of plastic and which now has a split and I think it is not working quite properly. The main body is MDF, but the bottom cover is all plastic... Of, course it can be fixed. They implemented a somewhat peculiar mechanism to turn on the motor - it is bound to the tonearm... When you move the tonearm towards the platter it reaches a point when the motor switches on. I think, it may not be particulary a good idea to do it that way, but well, I take it on trust.
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