My Thorens TD 165 project

[Katch]

Just thought I'd post this project I'm working on.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/21/8a381d099fef3da38a80a76a27564253.jpg

I'm going to go for a high gloss white finish and probably a new gloss black top plate.

RCAs and IEC power onto a nice new backplate and some shiny isolation spikes.

Any suggestions for a nice amp to keep an eye out for? Quite like some of the old Rotel and Sony amps as I could gloss the woodwork to match.

[DSJR]

PLEASE see if you can replace the plastic inner hub for an alloy one, as this makes a subjective improvement - just be careful on spindle diameter. The awful mat should be changed too and you can now get cork types with the larger centre cut-out.

The arm is actually quite good and should work well with the more durable cartridges out there (Rega Carbon, AT95e, Me97XE, Sumiko Pearl, Pickering XV15/625E and ever-popular Denon DL110. The exit wires to amp ought to be changed and I think there used to be a supplier on eBay who made up a Van Damme based set of exit cables for the Techie and these should be fine if you can solder. Most importantly, the chassis is 'earthed' to one of the signal screens, and I recommend cutting the link on the audio cable terminal block and soldering a separate flexible wire from the chassis point (you may need to file the plating away on the contacts to get a surface that solder will take to) out to the amp.


As for matching gear? Anything you like sir!

[Katch]

Soldering is not a problem (Metcal SP-200 station is my weapon of choice)

I'm kind of hoping I might stumble upon a TD 160 at a boot sale one day that I can swap the TD 160 out for but will keep an eye out for the alloy sub platter. I would probably also pick up a TP16 if one presented itself cheap enough.

I have the original headshell and an audio technica AT 110E cartridge that sounds well enough.

I'm going to be wiring up the tonearm to some good quality RCAs panel mounted to the new plinth - I'll keep my eye open for that grounding path.

What are your thoughts on grounding and earthing? To my mind, the chassis and tone arm need to be earthed to the IEC to be electrically safe.

[Katch]

This has been coming along nicely. Need to finish polishing the paint job and I have a TP16 arm to install along we a new black top sheet.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88/Katch_Harley/11822652_10155826101890063_8874954532445742899_n_z psizgthknt.jpg

[Roy S]

Very tidy, I have the same sideboard! How does the 303 sound with the Tisbury?

[Katch]

That Tisbury is pretty transparent to be honest but quite expensive for what it is. I picked that one up cheap as it has dual out. I have another 303 so I usually biamp my system and it sits nicely in the signal chain.

[HackneyRF]

Nice job on the Thorens David. Looks lovely.

Cheers

Loz

[Katch]

Just spent another evening on it. Really chuffed with how it's turned out. Looking tidy.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/13/14a675b3588bc500f196616d0977acd1.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/13/0c1e4c976c614eba94758707b92384c8.jpg

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/13/9ac6e46b6489bd2473345da44f238cab.jpg

[Ducatiist]

Wow David,
That looks superb! I'm beginning to think I should have gone the "White" route with my LP12!
I've got a Thorens TD150 knocking about without a plinth...I might have to try the white treatment with a plinth for that!
Your much quicker at doing stuff than me!
Stu

[walpurgis]

That's certainly an interesting and attractive look. Nicely done. Congratulations! :)

[Katch]

I really wanted a modern contemporary look but with the heart and soul of a vintage classic. I think I've achieved that.

[Marco]

Hi David,

Sorry to butt in, but just a quick one... Where in the UK are you? On AoS, we require that members put a geographical area, or the nearest large town to them, in the location details on their profile. Ta! :cool:

Marco.

[Katch]

Hi David,

Sorry to butt in, but just a quick one... Where in the UK are you? On AoS, we require that members put a geographical area, or the nearest large town to them, in the location details on their profile. Ta! :cool:

Marco.

Done

[Marco]

Cheers, David! :thumbsup:

Apart from anything else, it helps when selling things [in terms of collections] if folks know whether or not you're in their area.

Marco.