Thorens TD160 B MkII [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Haselsh1

28-05-2016, 15:16

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/Thorens%20TD160%20B%20MkII%20May%202016_zpsk6y7cdc z.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/Thorens%20TD160%20B%20MkII%20May%202016_zpsk6y7cdc z.jpg.html)

This is a quick piccie of my TD160B MkII as it is at the moment. I am hoping this shows off the solid maple plinth OK as this is the best feature at the moment but probably won't be after the tonearm upgrade in a month or two.

struth

28-05-2016, 19:15

Tis a nice bit of wood Shaun. The deck is looking nice and a new arm will maybe give it a nice edge.

HackneyRF

28-05-2016, 19:59

Really nice Shaun. What mat is that you have on it?

Marco

28-05-2016, 20:19

I am hoping this shows off the solid maple plinth OK as this is the best feature at the moment but probably won't be after the tonearm upgrade in a month or two.[/CENTER][/FONT]

Lovely looking T/T, Shaun :)

However, I would URGE you not to be too hasty in letting the Linn LV V go, which is currently fitted, as if the bearings are good, it's a wonderfully musical sounding arm and will outperform most modern arms under £500. It's an especially good match for a DL-103, which I believe is a cartridge you've been thinking of trying for a while.

Well, NOW is the time, mate, trust me! :cool:

Marco.

Mala

29-05-2016, 00:12

I really like the clean and simple "no bullshit" look on these decks. Yours looks beautiful, would love to see more pictures in the future :)

Haselsh1

29-05-2016, 16:29

Virtual-Symmetry

29-05-2016, 16:34

When i bought my deck in the early 80's the the two they had in stock was with this arm fitted. I did swap it out for SME '3009' because i refused & still refuse to own a product from THAT company.

Marco

29-05-2016, 16:55

OK Guys, many thanks and lots of appreciation for your comments. Marco, words of wisdom as always, yes, I would bloody love a DL103 of some sort or another and OK, I will slow down and think about things before I am lucky enough to buy something. As far as I am aware, the bearings on the arm are great with no loose, sloppy play and I do love the look especially with the Sumiko shell.

Well, if that's the case, try strapping a 103 onto it, perhaps adding a little more mass (2g or so) than your Sumiko provides as standard, and I assure you that you'll not be disappointed. That's provided you've got a decent phono stage. 103s work best through a quality valve MM phono stage and matching SUT/head amp :)

A great combo would be even the most basic Croft preamp (with its superb built-in MM stage), used in conjunction with a quality SUT or head amp. Trust me, that, with a DL-103 fitted to your LV-V and Thorens would blow your mind! ;)

Marco.

Marco

29-05-2016, 16:56

When i bought my deck in the early 80's the the two they had in stock was with this arm fitted. I did swap it out for SME '3009' because i refused & still refuse to own a product from THAT company.

I can appreciate that ;)

Marco.

Barry

29-05-2016, 17:13

Does the arm have sufficient bias adjustment to compensate for the tilt of the deck? :lol:

HackneyRF

29-05-2016, 17:15

The mat...? Can't really remember but it is white LOL. Oh, and it is acrylic...!

White! I kinda like that though.

walpurgis

29-05-2016, 17:49

However, I would URGE you not to be too hasty in letting the Linn LV V go, which is currently fitted, as if the bearings are good, it's a wonderfully musical sounding arm and will outperform most modern arms under £500. It's an especially good match for a DL-103, which I believe is a cartridge you've been thinking of trying for a while.

Well, NOW is the time, mate, trust me! :cool:

Marco.

This is quite right. The LV-V is not to be underestimated. It is very capable. I think I mentioned that to you before Shaun. You even have a headshell fitted that would be fine with most MCs. Go for the DL-103.

Haselsh1

29-05-2016, 21:51

OK, another quick shot of the Thorens taken from a slightly different angle. I really love that solid hardwood maple plinth.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/Thorens%20May%202016%20AOS%20MkII_zpsdhsnf0wf.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/Thorens%20May%202016%20AOS%20MkII_zpsdhsnf0wf.jpg. html)

Haselsh1

29-05-2016, 21:53

This is quite right. The LV-V is not to be underestimated. It is very capable. I think I mentioned that to you before Shaun. You even have a headshell fitted that would be fine with most MCs. Go for the DL-103.

Yes Geoff you sure did. I shall think very carefully before blowing a grand on something that may be only marginally better. For phono stages, I was thinking along the lines of the iPhono by ifi.

Marco

29-05-2016, 22:02

Not my kind of thing, mate, but if that's what you want... I'd be spending the grand on another Croft Micro 25 (I believe you had one before and liked it), which has a superb built-in mm phono stage, and using it with a quality SUT or head amp, and the Croft with your current power amp, if that is possible. Then buy a DL-103 and fit it to your LV V - job done.

You need some glowing bottles in your life! ;)

Marco.

Haselsh1

29-05-2016, 22:17

Marco

29-05-2016, 22:18

Ah, the best type! But can you see where I'm coming from? :)

Marco.

Rush2112

30-05-2016, 06:40

Great to see another fine turntable being used and seen as worthy of upgrades! I remember hearing one may years ago with a Linn LVV and A&R Cambridge P77 which was a very musical combo.

MarginWalker

30-05-2016, 07:03

YNWaN

30-05-2016, 08:33

I've tried acrylic mats and didn't like what they did to the sound at all, you may feel differently though.

Haselsh1

30-05-2016, 10:03

Mark, the white acrylic platter is for photography purposes only. It is crap...!

Phil, there is no way that plinth is for aesthetics only. After fitting it, the sound was transformed for the better to my ears. The new level of detail was the main difference. I can clearly hear double tracked vocals now on albums where I have never heard it before. The bottom end is much more solid and well defined. A very worthy upgrade but if you do it, watch out for those corner mounting screws, they can be a bugger to tighten up. Just make sure they are rock solid.

YNWaN

30-05-2016, 13:52

It does look good in the picture :).

Virtual-Symmetry

30-05-2016, 13:56

I use an 5mm Acrylic platter but it tends to sound a tad Bass thick! ill probably put on an old vintage rubber mat cos being 5mm i can't use my Michell Record clamp.

Haselsh1

30-05-2016, 14:10

I'd like to respond to Marco and his comment on valves if I may; I honestly prefer valves over trannies any day, any place but, I have to face facts. I do not always listen to Acoustic Alchemy although they are a favourite, I tend to listen mainly to electronic music and a bit of EDM. Now I may be wrong but my preference for that 300B SE sound just isn't gonna cut it. I love big, gutsy bass slam and a really revealing midrange one of which I would get with valves but at what cost...? The very limit of what I would spend on valves would be £3k and that would have to supply a pre also. It goes without saying of course that they would also have to be monoblocks for their staggering stereo effect which is paramount for me.

Regarding a valve phono stage; I had one six months ago and sold it. I was using a Croft Micro 25 Basic as a line phono stage only and to be pretty blunt, it was crap. Now the Micro 25 R maybe a universe apart from what I had but so it bloody should be at £1,400. In fact, thinking about it, a Croft Micro 25R with Series 7 monoblocks would be £2,800 but then of course, it is not valves, is it...?

Valve amplification for me just has way too many shortcomings. If I could get an all valve phono stage for less than a grand I would consider it. I think though that this would be a bit unreal.

Haselsh1

30-05-2016, 14:11

You know this may be really bloody boring but so far, I haven't found anything to beat the original Thorens mat.

Virtual-Symmetry

30-05-2016, 14:15

You know this may be really bloody boring but so far, I haven't found anything to beat the original Thorens mat.

I can believe it. i find Vintage Rubber mats suit me best. I found one in the cupboard from an old 70's Trio TT. sounds more like it tbh...

HackneyRF

30-05-2016, 14:19

Hi Shaun,

That is a lovely evening looking Thorens! I have a mk1 that I am considering upgrading and I am interested to know if you feel that the hardwood plinth and acrylic platter mat added anything sonically or if it was purely aesthetics? Perhaps I would be better off spending my pennies on a SME arm instead?

Phil

I would agree with Shaun with regard to the plinth upgrade Phil. I did it on my Mk1 with really pleasing results. I much tighter sound overall. I still have the stock arm in mine. So further improvements could be made in that direction no doubt. Have tried different mats on it including acrylic but have so far failed to hear much difference. Just my subjective take on it mind.

Cheers

Loz

struth

30-05-2016, 14:28

I found the 2 piece rubber/cork mix mat was best on mine followed by a funk one

Virtual-Symmetry

30-05-2016, 14:32

I had the latter to but a certain person binding on i lobbed it in the bin.

struth

30-05-2016, 14:44

Sold both plus the tt :eek: still got a cork one with the raised circles on. It hasca couple of holes accidentally made in it and has the big centre for the thorens centre plate.. Anyone wants to try it there welcome for post cost

skimminstones

30-05-2016, 14:55

You know this may be really bloody boring but so far, I haven't found anything to beat the original Thorens mat.

Same. Ive tried a couple of different ones now and have gone back to the original.

Haselsh1

30-05-2016, 16:32

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/TD160%20B%20MkII%20Bat%20Out%20of%20Hell%202016_zp sxjyrmay2.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/TD160%20B%20MkII%20Bat%20Out%20of%20Hell%202016_zp sxjyrmay2.jpg.html)

I have just done a bit of work with the Pledge and the Solvol Autosol and put the original mat back on. I have just tried to set up the floating suspension with the vinyl in place and it is better but still not brill. I'll get there, just give me a while.

By the way, for information, I found the white acrylic mat gave a harsh, grainy and overbearing treble and upper mid. It was definitely not nice whereas the original mat was just sublime in comparison. Like folk say, just my take on it. Better or worse or just different...? In this case, definitely worse.

It is such a shame I cannot bloody play any vinyl as I don't yet have a phono stage. I sold the last one as it was just so dull and flat. Everything comes to those that wait....?

Marco

30-05-2016, 19:06

I sold the last one as it was just so dull and flat. Everything comes to those that wait....?

Precisely everything the valve phono stage in a Micro 25 isn't! ;)

Indeed, everything comes to those who wait, but be very careful the road you choose doesn't lead to a dead end, and you join the long list of folk who've given up on vinyl, or think they prefer CD, simply because they weren't fortunate enough to get it right........

:trust:

Honestly, Shaun, if you follow the advice I'm giving you (as I really do know what I'm talking about on this particular subject), you won't join the band of merry failures!

Marco.

Haselsh1

31-05-2016, 06:15

That last phono stage was indeed a Croft Micro 25 Basic used as a line phono stage only. It was bloody awful even in comparison to a Heed Questar MM.

MarginWalker

31-05-2016, 07:26

You know this may be really bloody boring but so far, I haven't found anything to beat the original Thorens mat.

Far from boring! There are enough things to spend money on with this hobby so finding out improvements are at best negligible with a new mat is great news. I have been looking into a new plinth but if I go with the standard sizes that are offered then I won't be able to use the original dust cover, have other people who have upgraded bought a new cover too? I have thought about having an exact replica of the original plinth made up in solid hardwood and have had a quote from Layers of Beauty to match the dimensions and use the metal bar and hinges, but I am concerned that I won't get the full sonic benefits with the lower mass that this would involve. Any thoughts?

Marco

31-05-2016, 10:36

That last phono stage was indeed a Croft Micro 25 Basic used as a line phono stage only. It was bloody awful even in comparison to a Heed Questar MM.

You mean used as MM only? Well, all I can say is that I suspect there must've been a fault or some seriously bad mismatch going on, as that's not how things should sound with any Croft preamp or phono stage. I'm almost certain that if I popped over with one, including a suitable SUT/head amp, and a DL-103, and popped it all into your system, you'd be blown away...

However, if you've lost confidence with Croft, then why not listen to one of the excellent Firebottle units? Honestly, Shaun, when done properly, valve phono stages have a magical way with music that few SS devices can match.

Also, most commercially produced kit, such as the stuff you've used or are currently targeting, won't deliver the same SPPV as something designed by the likes of Alan, Jez or Nick, so for that reason my money would always go to one of those guys first, than to some commercial company.

Just my advice, based on considerable experience in this area of audio :)

Marco.

Haselsh1

31-05-2016, 13:47

Far from boring! There are enough things to spend money on with this hobby so finding out improvements are at best negligible with a new mat is great news. I have been looking into a new plinth but if I go with the standard sizes that are offered then I won't be able to use the original dust cover, have other people who have upgraded bought a new cover too? I have thought about having an exact replica of the original plinth made up in solid hardwood and have had a quote from Layers of Beauty to match the dimensions and use the metal bar and hinges, but I am concerned that I won't get the full sonic benefits with the lower mass that this would involve. Any thoughts?

Before I fitted the new plinth I made a decision not to continue using the lid which was fairly badly scratched anyway. I always prefer the look without a lid. Just my preference though.

MarginWalker

31-05-2016, 14:32

Before I fitted the new plinth I made a decision not to continue using the lid which was fairly badly scratched anyway. I always prefer the look without a lid. Just my preference though.

I would like to do the same, but two cats and two toddlers mean I have no option but to give it some sort of protection. Where did you get your plinth from?

struth

31-05-2016, 14:39

The half covers are very good. You hardly see them yet they save too much dust getting there and give some protection to the arm

MarginWalker

31-05-2016, 15:18

The half covers are very good. You hardly see them yet they save too much dust getting there and give some protection to the arm

Thanks Grant. I remember seeing one on your old Thorens. Did you sell it when you sold the deck?

HackneyRF

31-05-2016, 15:20

struth

31-05-2016, 15:25

Yes they are very good. Didnt fancy it myself initially but i love it now.. So practical and does look better in flesh

struth

31-05-2016, 15:26

Thanks Grant. I remember seeing one on your old Thorens. Did you sell it when you sold the deck?

No, i kept it and is on my JBE now

danilo

31-05-2016, 16:52

Something like this.....
Fairly inexpensive and does offer some protection.

Very nice looking TT. Small question about the Arcam? I had a D290.. It proved to be the Worst Sounding Amp I've ever had No better than the Horrid Dynaco St120 even
Presumably Yours being an earlier version Is a better performing unit?
Merely curious.

Haselsh1

31-05-2016, 17:39

I would like to do the same, but two cats and two toddlers mean I have no option but to give it some sort of protection. Where did you get your plinth from?

Phil, the plinth was supplied by Layers of Beauty who I think are based in Barnsley. They do a whole load of finishes but some of them are only a veneer.

Haselsh1

31-05-2016, 17:42

Here ya go man...!

http://layers-of-beauty.co.uk/

MarginWalker

31-05-2016, 17:47

Here ya go man...!

http://layers-of-beauty.co.uk/

Thanks. I have actually already been in touch with them. Good to hear a review from a satisfied customer before I try them out though!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MarginWalker

31-05-2016, 17:54

Something like this.....

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r502/lozring/image_33.jpeg

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r502/lozring/image_34.jpeg

Fairly inexpensive and does offer some protection.

Looks good, although I think it would take some getting used to. I notice that none of the Thorens are on here are on wall shelves - I assume you all have non suspended floors, either that or you must walk very gently.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

HackneyRF

31-05-2016, 21:40

I had a D290.. It proved to be the Worst Sounding Amp I've ever had
Presumably Yours being an earlier version Is a better performing unit?
Merely curious.

:lol:

I've never come across a Delta 290 Danilo so wouldn't be in a position to compare. I would say the Delta 60 is a very capable solid amp however, Nothing spectacular. There is another Delta 60 user somewhere on AoS but I can't remember who that is right now.

Haselsh1

04-06-2016, 18:48

Here I go with yet another shot of the TD160 B showing off the latest upgrade, the maple plinth. I have to say that this plinth is one of the best pieces of non hi-fi I have ever bought for fitting to a piece of hi-fi. It was a bloody bargain for under two hundred quid. Fitting takes a while but it is pretty easy it is just the screws that take a bit of grasping especially if they are very tight which they tend to be in the new wood.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/TD160%20maple%20plinth%20June%202016_zpskpuchutz.j pg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/TD160%20maple%20plinth%20June%202016_zpskpuchutz.j pg.html)

I am just patiently waiting now for July/August when I should be able to complete the whole upgrade process and listen to some glorious vinyl once again.