arm choice for Thorens TD150

[1000RPM]

my TD 150 currently sports a TP 13a Kreugal arm, which sounds very entertaining actually :)

Sticking with the 'S' shaped theme, what options are there? I've thought maybe a SME 3009, or a Rega RB200 with perhaps a AO rewire.

any thoughts on arms for a TD 150?

[DSJR]

I still rather like the supplied arm, especially if it's the mk2 version with balls for counterweight and tracking force. Just carefully lubricate the horizontal sleeve bearing and carefully adjust the vertical ones for minimal play and low friction (a bit tricky this to get both aspects correct). properly fettled and with fresh exit cabling to the amp, it should be good for 1.5 - 2g trackers like the Shure M97XE, AT120E, Denon DL110 and Sumiko Blue Point, as well as favourites like the Ortofon 2M series under £200. Going beyond this may well tax the abilities of the turntable itself in all honesty unless it's substantially re-plinthed and fitted with a Wave-Mechanic type of power supply/fine speed adjuster.

As for other arms, the Rega RB series matches the suspension well, although I suspect the Jelco 750 series may be too heavy for it. The cheaper Jelco straight arm may be better suited though. The Alphason arms are expensive now but very good and not too heavy. The R200 arm can now have the bias belt replaced and a re-wire works wonders. Ask Johnnie at Audio Origami.

Apologies if you think I'm being a bit negative here. The TD150 is over forty years old (replaced by the 160 in 1972 IIRC) and, although it shares a huge amount of basic DNA with the Ariston RD11/Linn LP12, it wasn't as substantially made as these latter decks. The stock arm may look a dogs dinner, but it's not as bad as you'd think - honestly :)

[Rare Bird]

Dave:
You know & i know that if an arm is pig ugly it will undoubtly go in the bin regardless of how decent it may sound.. Remember the 'TD150' armboards are only narrow, the plinth is only skinny something like a Rega or Grace '707' is technically a 10'' arm (approx 222mm mounting).. If i were to use one of these arms i'd be remaking the Wooden surround with wider armboard to suit. But i rather keep it original..

I would personally keep it original or SME '3009'.. With 'TP13a'/'TP50' Yours will be the TD150 Mk.II/AB.If you mount SME3009 it then effectivly becomes 'TD150 Mk.II/B

[rusty bearing]

Yep, I went with the classic SME 3009 with my 150 plus Shure v15 cart and it do sound good plus it looks stylish as well, but of course we are not bothered by looks are we?;)
Rewired it in copper litz (fiddly) and I think it stands up well to my Lenco 75, slightly more rounded sound, perhaps less 'analytical'.

The SME will just fit on the original armboard but in the end I made an LP12 size plinth and armboard as I think the proportions are better.
I still have the oak armboard I made to TD150 size with the SME cutout. If you decide to go that route and want it to try out your more than welcome to it.

[1000RPM]

Thanks all for your thoughts

Actually I like the look of the TP13a ! no worries on the cosmetics front. I'd be happy to stick with it and just focus on a little bearing fettling etc.

mind you, I do like the look of a SME 3009. I less like the look of 3009 prices. I have a rewired RB250 available, but my suspicion is a 's' shaped arm might be a better match, hence the question about the RB200.

The plan is to make a new plinth, base and armboard. reading some of above posts, I hadn't thought of using the opportunity to widen the armboard. Does the suspension still hold up?

[Rare Bird]

Yes the suspension will be ok, remember you have to put a rebate all the way down the left underside of the new armboard... you see it when you remove the old board. btw Your only increasing the width by approx 22mm

[rusty bearing]

here's mine

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/3471/p1020925p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/p1020925p.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[1000RPM]

very nice TD 150:D

[Rare Bird]

Mike
Where's the lid come from?

[rusty bearing]

Plastics online, cost around 50.00 I think. Got it made in 4mm to fit into Linn hinges. Thing is they can make any size you want.:)

http://www.plasticonline.co.uk/

[hifi_dave]

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/009-4.jpg

Here's one I polished up a few weeks ago.

[DSJR]

You kept that one a bit quiet :lol:

I LIKE that arm design and don't find it ugly at all. I dunno, some people :D

That mark 2 mat needs to go though......

[Rare Bird]

I LIKE that arm design and don't find it ugly at all. I dunno, some people :D



I think you originally misunderstood me Dave, i wasnt saying it was ugly, i was saying that if things seem to be ugly to some people they will scrap them even though they may be very good performers. :)

[Beobloke]

Another vote for the TP13A from this corner - a very under-rated arm IMHO.

[rusty bearing]

So I've read but as I 'inherited' my 150 without an arm or even the board to put one on I'll never know. Hey ho.

[1000RPM]

Another vote for the TP13A from this corner - a very under-rated arm IMHO.

agreed, although wiring scheme is a bit disjointed to my 2012 thinking

off topic - Beo, you weren't the chap looking for a CD mech for a Beocentre 9000/9500 were you? I recall a post from someone with a Beocentre with a CD hors de combat on a thread I had going on the 'Wam last year.

[1000RPM]

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t406/hifi_dave/009-4.jpg

Here's one I polished up a few weeks ago.

This is exactly what I'm looking at now (well not exactly exactly, as that would be theft and very naughty)

[Beobloke]

agreed, although wiring scheme is a bit disjointed to my 2012 thinking

off topic - Beo, you weren't the chap looking for a CD mech for a Beocentre 9000/9500 were you? I recall a post from someone with a Beocentre with a CD hors de combat on a thread I had going on the 'Wam last year.

Yes, I was looking for one for a Beocenter 9300 and still am. If anyone has one in their shed, please drop me a line!

And now back to your scheduled thread....

:D

[1000RPM]

Yes, I was looking for one for a Beocenter 9300 and still am. If anyone has one in their shed, please drop me a line!

And now back to your scheduled thread....

:D


Beo - you have a PM

[1000RPM]

Update on progress...

New plinth under construction, with armboards made to TD 125 dimensions to accommodate wider range of arms. I still have the TP 13a, and now have a Rega R200.

The Rega has an ADC headshell. would a sumiko headshell work, or would it add too much weight and mass? proposed cart is a DL110.

[DSJR]

The R200 should be an excellent match, since the bias can now be repaired should it fail and the height and weight of the arm is about right. Mine ran the Decca Microscanner with pod, a lead weight and an ancestor of the Sumiko shell with no difficulty.

Apart from the simplicity, the R200 is actually a very fine tonearm in my opinion. I added a strip of thick sleeving to the lateral balance weight as Rega did for the Planar 3 versions of this arm (which had slightly better adjusted horizontal bearings, together with a Cardas male socket so the arm could take alternative exit cables (my inner wires are original).