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Tonearm improvements for a Thorens TD 160?

aramirez626

aramirez626

Well-Known Member
I have a Thorens TD 160 and looking to improve the sound. I know there are alot of upgrades for this model, but I think the largest is the tonearm. I was wondering if the group here can recommend a compatilble high quality tonearm and possibly cart. My current cart is a Nagatron (MM). I dont want to dig into the TT's base so looking for something that will fit easily. Budget can vary, but I imagine there is a limit based on the other components of my system.

Audio Research SP 9 Mark II
DENON POA 1500
Yamaha CDX 2020
Thorens TD 160 Nagatron Cartridge
Juicy Music Tercel II
Vandersteen 2c
 
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It would help to know if your TD-160 is a MkI or a MkII, also what is your equipment downstream, you may have to spend quite a little coin to improve on the original tonearm, most Thorens tonearms are vastly underrated.
 
The TD 160 is neither a Mk I nor an MK II. Just base model. Down the line I might upgrade my amp, but that will be a while. My other thought is upgrade cartrige first but not sure.
 
vinylhunter said:
May we assume you've done all the recommended Thorens maintenance items, including suspension tweeks? And the cart has been set up and well aligned with a real protractor?
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Have not done any of that. I don't know what the "recommended" items are. :no::sigh:
 
aramirez626 said:
The TD 160 is neither a Mk I nor an MK II. Just base model. Down the line I might upgrade my amp, but that will be a while. My other thought is upgrade cartrige first but not sure.
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In this case it is a MkI. :thmbsp: It will likely have the TP-16 I arm.
Spend some time doing all of the recommended maintenance and getting the suspension in order, there is no point in trying to mod a TT that is not up to original specs.
 
I tried setting up a new ortofon om 20 cartridge the other day in my td145 and the mounting holes in the head are preset and have very little wiggle room for protractor adjustments. It was spot on the first Baerwald point and the cartridge was spot on the headshell needle point, but off about 1/8 on the point closest to the run off. What can be done to adjust so it hits the point?
 
bluesmusiq said:
I tried setting up a new ortofon om 20 cartridge the other day in my td145 and the mounting holes in the head are preset and have very little wiggle room for protractor adjustments. It was spot on the first Baerwald point and the cartridge was spot on the headshell needle point, but off about 1/8 on the point closest to the run off. What can be done to adjust so it hits the point?
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Try the Thorens Arc protractor from Vinylengine.
 
Most of the maintenance is pretty simple, Here is a thread on a TD-145 the first couple of pages are just getting the table set up correctly.
 
Divotdog said:
Most of the maintenance is pretty simple, Here is a thread on a TD-145 the first couple of pages are just getting the table set up correctly.
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That's awesome! I'll do those steps. In your thread, what do you mean by "invert" the outer platter? TO me that means turn it upside down, but why would you do that?

thanks
 
That is correct, turn it upside down so that you can see what is happening under there while you are adjusting.

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Also set your platter mat, record and any weight or clamp you may be using on it.
 
The TD-160 was well received when new. Many had the table and started tweaking it for better sound. A UK hi-fi magazine got a list of these upgrades and published an article. Thorens read the article and built the TD-160 Super, a much better TD-160 that can be made from most any TD-160. These tweaks are documented on theanalogdept and should be tried, but changing the tonearm will also improve the table.

A friend borrowed my TD-160 Super and tuned it up for me while looking it over and he applied many of the upgrades to his TD-160 and then added a separate tonearm. He is very happy with the results.

If you don't want to tweak, maybe you can find a fellow AKer that might like to help you out.

Any high quality tonearm available today will be a nice improvement on that table.
 
A later incarnation of the TD-160 ..the TD 160 mk V came with a rega RB250 as standard when sold in the UK. I heard one at a dealers many moons ago and it sounded very good.
 
Divotdog said:
In this case it is a MkI. :thmbsp: It will likely have the TP-16 I arm.
....
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One of the most under-rated arms, IMO.

I have this arm on both my TD125 MK2, and my TD160 MK1.

On the TD125 MK2, I have mounted a Dynavector 10X5.

On the TD160 MK1, I have mounted an Ortofon X5-MC.

Being a removable head-shell on both arms, I flip-flop between tables.

Sounds great, on both tables, with both carts.
 
the_nines said:
One of the most under-rated arms, IMO.

I have this arm on both my TD125 MK2, and my TD160 MK1.

On the TD125 MK2, I have mounted a Dynavector 10X5.

On the TD160 MK1, I have mounted an Ortofon X5-MC.

Being a removable head-shell on both arms, I flip-flop between tables.

Sounds great, on both tables, with both carts.
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Mine is a MM cartridge. Can I mount an Ortofon MC onto my tonearm?
 
I find it interesting that a lot of people say the first thing you have to do with a Thorens is throw the stock arm away. I really have no complaints with mine. Maybe its no Unitrack, but its not exactly a Crosley arm either.
 
gadget73 said:
I find it interesting that a lot of people say the first thing you have to do with a Thorens is throw the stock arm away. I really have no complaints with mine. Maybe its no Unitrack, but its not exactly a Crosley arm either.
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This is true and that is why I mentioned tweaking the table as described on thedept. After these are done there will be noticeable improvements. Of course this tweaking includes cleaning, polishing and reoiling the spindle/bearing as needed as well as dropping a new thrust plate in there.

Once the table is fully tuned and tweaked you will have the best you can with the 160 until you swap the tonearm. But I would do the tune and tweak first. The Thorens arm is a fine tonearm and would take a bit to outdo.
 
I have a Thorens TD-145 which is pretty well the same as the TD-160 with the TP-16 tonearm. It has had a few tweaks to the plinth and new tonearm wire and has an OM-10. Sounds pretty good even with the budget cartridge. I would agree with the above, try to tune up the table before springing for a new tonearm. And try to put it on a wall shelf, that was the biggest improvement for me by far (and the cheapest with a home made shelf).
 
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