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Which of these carts that I own should I try on my Thorens TD 145?

redondo2018

redondo2018

Active Member
Ok, so I have the following carts in my box-o-carts, and I want to put one of them on my Thorens TD 145 with a TP 16 arm. All of them have are equipped with elliptical stylus at the moment, and the table is going into a bit of a warm sounding 1974 Sony receiver. What I'm looking for is what will likely be the best match, not necessarily which is the best cartridge (I know I could try them all, but that's a LOT of swapping):

Pickering XV-15
Empire LTD 450
Andante E
Shure M55E
Grado ZF3 (black)
Ortofon 5E (on it right now)

Just to be clear, I'm not looking to buy a new cart right now, so it's one of these (that said, I might be talked into a new stylus for the Pickering or Grado -- Andante E and Shure M55E are sporting new aftermarket ones already, and the Empire is basically NOS)

Any suggestions would be great!
 

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My Pickering XV15 1200E/D1200 is my favorite on the Thorens, the 625E is nice also. I can swap the stylus with either cartridge, I prefer the look of the 1200E, and the Sonics of the 1200 over the 625.

I have the 625 mounted on the Mitsubishi DP-EC8, sounds great.

I'm also a big Grado fan, but the Pickering would still be my choice for the Thorens, depending on stylus.
 
Grenadeslio said:
My Pickering XV15 1200E/D1200 is my favorite on the Thorens, the 625E is nice also. I can swap the stylus with either cartridge, I prefer the look of the 1200E, and the Sonics of the 1200 over the 625.

I have the 625 mounted on the Mitsubishi DP-EC8, sounds great.

I'm also a big Grado fan, but the Pickering would still be my choice for the Thorens, depending on stylus.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got a 625E - I'm assuming the D1200 stylus fits the 625E, yes?
 
Grenadeslio said:
That stylus is the same one they sell as the 625 and 750, just sayin. It's more akin to the 750 in profile.
Click to expand...
Ok, I would have thought the VividLine tip would be an upgrade - so I'm guessing this is their best replacement then? https://www.lpgear.com/product/PICSD0625VL.html - I guess I'll probably just stick with the original stylus until it's no longer any good for now, as originals seem to be the way to go from what I'm reading in other places...
 
redondo2018 said:
Yeah, I've got a 625E - I'm assuming the D1200 stylus fits the 625E, yes?
Click to expand...

Yes it does, but the aftermarket are all the same, there's no distinction between them so purchase the cheaper.

Now if able to locate a new old stock that's a completely different story, the D1200 is .2X.7 nude where the 625 is .3X.7 bonded I believe. The 750 is .3X.7 nude if memory serves and I believe all the aftermarket are also .3X.7 bonded.

This was the story last time I looked into an aftermarket for mine for when the originals I have wear out. They're currently out of rotation with lots of life still left so no immediate concern.

Hope this helps to clear things up.

But things may have changed since but I would inquire before purchase.
 
redondo2018 said:
Ok, I would have thought the VividLine tip would be an upgrade - so I'm guessing this is their best replacement then? https://www.lpgear.com/product/PICSD0625VL.html - I guess I'll probably just stick with the original stylus until it's no longer any good for now, as originals seem to be the way to go from what I'm reading in other places...
Click to expand...

Maybe, as I said it's been awhile since I checked, others here may chime in.
 
Ugh, tried installing the Pickering and just couldn't get it right (stylus kept hitting the record in the up position, with and without the brush) - I'm guessing it's something with the spacers or something + the Thorens headshell. I've set that cart up in 2 or 3 turntables and never had a problem... also I'm wondering if the stylus might not be shot... so... just threw on the Grado ZF3 and I have to say: NICE. I had a Nagaoka MP-110 on the Thorens for awhile, and even on the first album I can tell it is close to an equal of the MP-110 (which I'm using in a rotation now on my Pioneer PL-530 where I think it's a bit better suited).
 
redondo2018 said:
Ugh, tried installing the Pickering and just couldn't get it right (stylus kept hitting the record in the up position, with and without the brush) - I'm guessing it's something with the spacers or something + the Thorens headshell. I've set that cart up in 2 or 3 turntables and never had a problem... also I'm wondering if the stylus might not be shot... so... just threw on the Grado ZF3 and I have to say: NICE. I had a Nagaoka MP-110 on the Thorens for awhile, and even on the first album I can tell it is close to an equal of the MP-110 (which I'm using in a rotation now on my Pioneer PL-530 where I think it's a bit better suited).
Click to expand...

You need to raise the arm, setting VTA is a normal part of cartridge installation.
 
redondo2018 said:
Ok, I would have thought the VividLine tip would be an upgrade - so I'm guessing this is their best replacement then? https://www.lpgear.com/product/PICSD0625VL.html - I guess I'll probably just stick with the original stylus until it's no longer any good for now, as originals seem to be the way to go from what I'm reading in other places...
Click to expand...

From some of the owners of the Vivid Line stylus, they all really like the sound. I would definitely get that one for a vintage cartridge.
 
Grenadeslio said:
You need to raise the arm, setting VTA is a normal part of cartridge installation.
Click to expand...
Ha, guess I need to learn more about my own table! I honestly didn't know I could adjust the tonearm height on this Thorens (it's not in the manual, but I just looked it up) - I had assumed shims were necessary.
 
Grenadeslio said:
You need to raise the arm, setting VTA is a normal part of cartridge installation.
Click to expand...
So (not to change the subject from carts too much but) it seems that changing the tonearm height can possibly screw around with the auto shut-off on the TD-145 if the arm is raised too high. I'll look around for a video on it, I do like the auto-shut off...
 
redondo2018 said:
So (not to change the subject from carts too much but) it seems that changing the tonearm height can possibly screw around with the auto shut-off on the TD-145 if the arm is raised too high. I'll look around for a video on it, I do like the auto-shut off...
Click to expand...

The cue lift will possibly need to be adjusted as well, no biggy.
 
My TD-160 runs either a Stanton 681EE or a Shure M93E, both equvialent to your XV-15 or Shure M55E. Either would work fine.

The official Thorens procedure for setup does not mention moving the arm height. On a 145 apparently it screws up the sensor that is used for the auto-lift, so meddle with that at your own peril. VTA is set with the shims. If you have the arm at factory height and have one of the alignment gauges, setting VTA is very simple. Pics and specifics in the manual but basically you get the stylus tip in the bottom of the V and the tip within 1mm (I think its 1mm) of the gauge and you're done. I'm a big fan of the alignment gauge on these after having pissed about with assorted protractors over the years. Makes setup way easier.
 
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