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Thorens TD 160 problems

G

GAbRT

New Member
Hello,

I just got a Thorens TD 160 and I have thousand questions, but here find only a few...

-First of all the 45rpm is not working. it runs 33rpm on both...


-Also... it's really sensitive to any vibration and movement in the house. Is that normal?

-Can I replace the RCA cables?

-Last... the platter is really oxidized and I would like to clean it, but I don't want to use the wrong product. Any ideas?

I really thank you in advance for the help.

GAb
 
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Hey, Fellow TD-160 owner.

1. you can replace the rca cables very easily if you are familiar with saudering

2. I have seen this problem with the speed before, there is a mechanism under the platter that changes the orientation of the belt and I think that is what changes the speed, not 100% but thought I would throw in what I have seen. the other TD160 I knew ended up doing a complete rewiring

3. to polish the platter I have read other owners mention jewlers polish but Ill double check. http://www.theanalogdept.com/ (the sites design dosent make it the easiest to navigate but its got some great resources)
 
Conratulations on getting a TD 160. It's a table that will frustrate you or addict you.

My 12 months of TD 160 ownership and research suggests that you use the "google" search method on this site for anything "TD 160". You also need to go to the analogdept.com. This site is the largest TD 160 resource.

The quick answers to your question are:

1) The belt is stretched, wrong thickness and/or pulley needs a clean. Most likely all three. If you can afford it order a genuine belt (or very highly reguarded replacement). Order one in the next 24 hours. You'll need to have it handy for when you know Tim Bailey's method.

2) Yep, sensitive to vibration big time. Multiple solutions. Bracketted wall mount most common. Don't worry about this now before you study up.

3) Most upgrade RCAs at some stage. Buy some contact cleaner like Deoxit and clean the original ones first. If they work you can put this issue aside for a while. You have enough to do already.

4) If you have finished researching all you can and have spare time awaiting products you can polish the platter with a metal polish. Just make sure the product lists aluminium as a suitable material to use it on. Don't aim for a mirror finish first go as you will be handling the platters a bit performing the suspension tuning and such.

Good luck!
 
Great table, and good advice so far, don't get in a big hurry on those RCA cables unless there is some sort of problem, get the table all sorted out and running correctly first, no sense in modding over top of problems. :thmbsp:
 
great guys,

thanks for the precious advices!

i'm waiting for a belt in the mail, hopefully it will solve the problem of the rpm.

cool
 

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A new belt will fix you 45 problem.....

GAbRT said:
great guys,

thanks for the precious advices!

i'm waiting for a belt in the mail, hopefully it will solve the problem of the rpm.

cool
Click to expand...

My TD 166 had the same issue. A new belt fixed it right up. Mine is on a concrete floor so it doesnt bounce when you walk accross the floor. My TD 160 I had in the 70s was in a cheaply made apartment. It bounced. Picked up a TD 160 that lived with me in an old building with better floors. This one and the TD 166 on solid floor work fine.

Enjoy yours. It will sound great. My 166 sounds great through my Pioneer SX 850 and JBL 100 speakers. Had the Thorens for 6 months. I put on a Shure M97 3 months ago. Hope to try a Denon moving coil cart when funds come availalble.

Eric:music:
 
Hello all again,

I finally got the belt!

And you where right about the RPM, now it works.

The only minor problem now is that the platter slightly scratches on the long screw next to the motor. At the moment I solwed the problem by removing that screw...

What do you think?

THANKS

GAb
 
GAbRT said:
Hello all again,

The only minor problem now is that the platter slightly scratches on the long screw next to the motor. At the moment I solwed the problem by removing that screw...

What do you think?

THANKS

GAb
Click to expand...

I think your suspension need to be adjusted. The platter is riding too low, which suggests that the suspension needs to be addressed. Removing the screw is a OK temporary fix - shouldn't hurt anything if the platter isn't making contact with the motor pulley.
 
Last edited:
Hey td-160 experts, quick question I am going to start working on a new plinth soon and I can not for the life of me remove the 4 screws that secure the turntable to the plinth. Is there a proper meathod? more questions to come and hopefully a great sounding turntable when all is said and done.
 
Pop the covers off of the screws with a small screwdriver, and you will get to the phillips head screws that hold the cover on. :thmbsp:

What type of plinth are building for it?
 
Divotdog said:
Pop the covers off of the screws with a small screwdriver, and you will get to the phillips head screws that hold the cover on. :thmbsp:

What type of plinth are building for it?
Click to expand...

thanks, I have been trying that i will try harder. the new plinth is going to be very similar to the old one(I got one with a mint dust cover, and I like the metal bar in the front), but made of curly maple with a dark red color and glossy finish, spent extra with the stain and finish, well the wood was expensive too. however I am going to build an under plinth, with audio spikes and I am putting in 3 prong power cord and rca jacks. still need to buy dynamat, the power plug, and a few other thing, everything else is on its way.
 
Very nice! I've built a couple myself that might be of interest (any chance to show them off :D)

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TD-145 build

TD-126 build
 
Thanks that helped. I hope my mods turn out as awesome as all of yours, I love the td 160 for the sound. Ill probably come back with questions as I have them. thanks again.
 
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