• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Thorens TD 160 headshell - spacer or no spacer?

drabina

drabina

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I am mounting an Audio Technica AT3600 cartridge on a Thorens TD 160 headshell. Between the headshell and the old cart I removed there is a plastic spacer. Do I need to use it for the AT cart or not? I haven't measured it but it looks like a 3mm spacer. Here are the photos:

spacer1.jpg

spacer2.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
The spacer is how VTA is set on a Thorens. Whether or not its the right spacer is unknown. There are a range of thicknesses from I think 0.5mm up to 2.5 or 3mm. There is an alignment gauge that came with it from the factory, and proper VTA is when the stylus tip is within some distance of the gauge. I forget the specific value offhand but its in the owner's manual.

If you don't have the gauge you just use it to set VTA by whatever means you did it previously.

The other part of that question is whether or not you've got the right screw lengths to use it with or without a spacer.
 
With and without TD316
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5577.jpeg
    IMG_5577.jpeg
    79.6 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_5573.jpeg
    IMG_5573.jpeg
    76.9 KB · Views: 24
Spacer it is then. I will of course check for a proper alignment once the spacer and cart are installed. If I have to, I can 3D print a different thickness.
 
drabina said:
(...) Do I need to use it for the AT cart or not? (...)
Click to expand...

Don't know, whether you'd definitely need to use one in your case - but generally speaking, Thorens tables with stock Thorens arms most usually were prepared for pretty tall cartridges (~ 20 mm) and hence usually came with a whole set of spacers for less tall carts.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Its possible to do it without, but it makes the stock alignment gauge not work correctly, and if you try that on a TD145 its pretty much guaranteed to make it stop working correctly. Best to just adjust it as the factory intended.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I installed the cart with the spacer and it looks/works good. I only had to 3D print a very small spacers since the Thorens' screws were too long for the mounts on the AT cart.
 
WizardWG4 said:
It is possible to adjust VTA on the TP16 without the spacers.
Click to expand...
That's right, there are two 2mm set screws at the base of the tonearm.

Cartridge height and appropriate screw length is another factor in deciding to use a spacer or not
 
Last edited:
I'm trying to raise the tonearm on m TP16 and am not sure I'm looking at the right set screws.....does anyone have pictures? Thanks. The two I've loosened will not allow the arm to budge one bit......

OK, hard EDIT......I now see where those two grub screws are and have loosened them to the point of taking them out as the tonearm, with both loosened, would not budge either upward or downward. So, what might I be doing wrong or is the tonearm just "frozen" in place as a function of time?

EDIT #2 - So, after considerable manipulation of the arm base, it finally began to move a bit and I was able to raise it.

For others who are trying this, it may take a little wiggling back and forth (and I even used a large flatblade screwdriver for leverage, but very cautiously and gently so, emphasis ono GENTLY because the piece immediately above is plastic) but it can be done.
 
Last edited:
Good call, @WizardWG4 ! You are absolutely correct and I did notice that as I was getting things back together. Thanks for your observation, lots of folks read these threads and will be helped through the cumulative narrative. Much appreciated! Carry on, amigos......
 
Question, when turning the round knob on the antiskate, it moves the indicator almost effortlessly in and out. Is this normal, or should there be some felt resistance as one increases it going inward?
 
Its a magnet on a threaded rod, basically the same mechanism as a Chap-Stick tube. No direct contact with much of anything so it will turn pretty easily.
 
Thanks @gadget73, that's comforting to know......so one could pull it out, smear on your lips, and be good to go eh? :rockon: Actually, I've had great fun the past few days working on and playing these two veterans that I have in my B system, the Thorens TD160 and my Dad's Dual 1219. What amazing pieces of gear they are and so, so simple to use. I have another question about the 1219 but have hijacked this thread enough already so will start a new one. Thanks again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom