jamiecantar
Well-Known Member
The most popular is the TD124, but which is the other better sounding other of the Thorens turntables and which cartridge did you find went really well with your choice, thanks
Which is the better of the Thorens turntables - aside from TD124
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I'm interested in this as I recently bought a TD-145, which I assume is somewhere in the middle of their lineup. The TD-125 seems to be their top-shelf belt drive model, with the TD-150, TD-160 and TD-145 coming in behind. One thing I like about the TD-150, TD-160 and TD-145 is that they include a 10mm main bearing, although the TD-150 has a shaft with captured ball and the others (I believe) use a simple shaft with tapered end designed to fit the same bearing as the captured ball.
I'm still learning, but other vintage sprung models seemed to include minor changes like bearing size reduction and polymer inner platters, along with tonearm changes along the way. Are they 'lesser' than the models that preceeded them? I don't know but am sure others more knowledgeable can answer.
If cost were no object I would look into a TD-125, or at the the prices I see them for, would then consider a Linn as well.
On my TD-145 I've only used a Grado Silver and Shure V15 Type IV, but have so far preferred the Grado.
I'm still learning, but other vintage sprung models seemed to include minor changes like bearing size reduction and polymer inner platters, along with tonearm changes along the way. Are they 'lesser' than the models that preceeded them? I don't know but am sure others more knowledgeable can answer.
If cost were no object I would look into a TD-125, or at the the prices I see them for, would then consider a Linn as well.
On my TD-145 I've only used a Grado Silver and Shure V15 Type IV, but have so far preferred the Grado.
bimasta
Addicted Member
I've had the 150, 125/II and 126/II. The 126/II is basically a 125/II with more advanced electronic speed control, and auto-lift (but only with its native arm). I compared the 126/II to a Linn LP12, both using an Ittok arm and identical cartridges (eliminating those variables). IMO the 126/II smoked the Linn. I suspect the 125/II would too. But I suppose much depends on how many upgrades (and thousands of $$) were put into the Linn.
tnsilver
Stereo Puppy
I never got to fiddle around with a Reference model but pretty much with all the rest which I've owned and mostly still do. I've kept over a dozen 150/14X/16X variants and in relative terms, for the simplicity of design and perfection of execution, I think the plain vanilla TD-160 is one of the best sounding turntables ever made. Nothing however, to these old tired ears, sounds better than a TD-124, but it's not an easy turntable to work with. It needs to heat up and stabilize and it takes some quality service to get it up to snuff, monitor and maintain. In absolute terms - that is relative to pretty much everything else, my all time favorite and best sounding Thorens is the TD-125, which is really a feat of engineering, a marvel of perfection in execution and such a pleasure to own. I own both marks and find the Mk-II electronics to be easier to maintain, upgrade and service but to my ears both are sonically identical.
I have a TD-160 among other 'tables. I think that it's OK for what it is, but I'm not a big fan of sprung 'tables to begin with. If I had to go with a sprung Thorens a TD-125 would be my choice if I could find an excellent one for a reasonable price.
If I had to stay with the Thorens brand, a TD-124 would be my choice never mind its complications. Spend more money and more time, it'll be well worth it.
I love idler 'tables and the Garrard 301 is my preference, followed closely by the Thorens TD-124. Nothing, IMO, can beat a well presented idler 'table.
If I had to stay with the Thorens brand, a TD-124 would be my choice never mind its complications. Spend more money and more time, it'll be well worth it.
I love idler 'tables and the Garrard 301 is my preference, followed closely by the Thorens TD-124. Nothing, IMO, can beat a well presented idler 'table.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
I have never owned an armed Thorens table that was in good working condition. One had a bad motor.
I have to rely on what others say about the quality of the sound from these tables but I prefer the performance of the 125 to the 160 Super that I do have.
David from Vinyl Nirvana talks about the tables he has had on his blog back in July 05: https://vinylnirvana.com/turntable-blog
I have to rely on what others say about the quality of the sound from these tables but I prefer the performance of the 125 to the 160 Super that I do have.
David from Vinyl Nirvana talks about the tables he has had on his blog back in July 05: https://vinylnirvana.com/turntable-blog
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timmy.timmy
Well-Known Member
It's a question a bit hard to answer in correlation with the most popular TD124... If purely objectively impossible to answer, as there are too many factors to take into account to chose a fitting cartridge for any tonearm, even after that one's cartridge preference on it's own is still subjective.
The Thorens TD124 is an idler drive where the followers are all belt drive. I don't think one can realistically "compare" them on a same "scale". Some do prefer the idler's for their 'sonic' signatures, many I suspect as well for their "vintage" look. Hence you rightfully chose the 'popular' qualification for it.
I still prefer my belt and I'm a convertee to them coming from the direct drive school of turntables... The TD150 have their pros for their overall heavier build. Where with the later TD16X & TD14X one's preference is most of the time orientated with the variants of their specific operated functionality they offer.
Those who are not going to tweak their Thorens into dragsters and seek to keep the turntable as the day it came out from the factory, will orient their choice according to those functionality each model offer, the type of tonearm it comes with (light or medium effective mass) and finally to the plinth and base plate thickness.
Then those who like the bigger boat devices will go for the TD125 & 126 pro turntables. Some truly prefer them as they are indeed less prone to wow & flutter and even have adjustable speed pitches. Their suspended chassis is also heavier and the plinth of higher mass to evidently benefit the inner plinth dampening and turntable inertia.
If I was to purchase anew a turntable or "A" tonearm, as your cartridge question is more in relation to that, I would first choose the cartridge and then accordingly a matching effective mass tonearm. Only few cartridges are not recommended as such with those Thorens turntables due to their unshielded body build/design that will pick up the motor's magnetic field.
The TD124 should be the most pricier especially when it comes to service it. The TD125 & 126 can be pricey as well if fully serviced. The TD150 is somehow commonly more affordable and easier to DIY service. If some prefer the earlier TD150 model to the the following TD16x & TD14X, I am not convinced that all the changes those later models had were only production cost motivated.
In my opinion some are actually rather of the good kind. Like the single point bearing instead of the captive ball ones. The resin sub-platter instead of the alloy one and the smaller arm board especially in my case since I cue my records strictly manually by hand and my little finger takes a rest on the top plate under just the cartridge for a steady positioning and laying of the stylus in the record groove.
So in my opinion it should be more a question of each his/her own model of Thorens according to his/her need, use and requirements on functionalities. Or not ! Although finance and/or opportunity might also decide for him/her. But if one knows what cartridge he/she wants upfront, that should be a way of trimming down the matching Thorens turntables in regard of their respective tonearm effective mass.
jamiecantar
Well-Known Member
timmy.timmy
Well-Known Member
...In the $300-500 range, What are your thoughts on the Thorens td-166 mkll with Ortofon Blue cart and TP 11 Mk III tone arm and the TP 63 cartridge wand.
Looks clean ! Is it the actual one in the picture ? Looks as if it was fully serviced. If you dig the 2M 'Blue' (which has many pros), the price seem fair enough IMHO.
I see a few votes for td-125 and i'm guessing it would have the SME 3009 arm on it.
In the $300-500 range, What are your thoughts on the Thorens td-166 mkll with Ortofon Blue cart and TP 11 Mk III tone arm and the TP 63 cartridge wand.
I have this table and its a keeper. I found the Pickering cartridges work well with this table and arm, currently installed is an XV151200E/D1200.
Can't see it in the picture, looks like the anti-skate might be missing on that table.
MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
Defined by... Price? Specs? Ownership experience?
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I prefer the TD 150 and TD 160 over most every other Thorens.
I like the ones with the removable armboard, for no better reason than its easier to change arms on and have them look right. The 160 with that little "pod" in the back isn't as convenient to fool with, and honestly I think the fitment of many arms on that little square ends up looking strange. If the replacement arm hangs over the edge, it just looks (to me) like its shoehorned in there. I realize it doesn't affect functionality but I don't care for the appearance.
of course my TD-160 rocks it's stock arm and I have no particular plans to change it so take that all with a grain of salt.
of course my TD-160 rocks it's stock arm and I have no particular plans to change it so take that all with a grain of salt.
Mister Pig
Pigamus Maximus
"The Thorens TD124 is an idler drive where the followers are all belt drive."
Except the 124 is not a pure idler, its a hybrid idler and belt drive. Theoretically the table has the limitations of belt drive...belt creep...but also the advantage of isolation. So its not a pure idler, and does present music differently than a true idler.
Cheers
Mister Pig
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ZebraBlvd
Lunatic Member
I have to agree with Ken on the 150 and certain 160's as some of Thorens better tables. I've owned, still have, a couple of Thorens tables. They are my table of choice, and have been from the get go. The simplicity of the tables make it easy for an owner to repair the tables if necessary. Add in Thorens wide range of quality TA's and you have a winner. But hey, I may be a little biased. 
As a side note. I'd love to be a Reference owner. Only because I was blessed to have listened to one. And seen/listened to its beauty. The Reference lives due to Thorens giving their engineer's free reign to build the best table at that time, and money was no object.
As a side note. I'd love to be a Reference owner. Only because I was blessed to have listened to one. And seen/listened to its beauty. The Reference lives due to Thorens giving their engineer's free reign to build the best table at that time, and money was no object.
MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
jamiecantar
Well-Known Member
Not the actual picture, but exact same condition...The reference model is a beast, but out of my price range. The 2M blue cart alone is $250
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