Thorens 160td b mk2 with Linn Basik Lvv tonearm?

[Simon75]

Hi there,
Seeking advice on a set up I'm seriously considering purchasing. Been offered a Thorens 160td b mkii turntable with Linn Basik lvv tonearm, ortofon omb 5e cartridge, plus rotel phono stage. I've read mixed things about the the lvv tonearm and I'm not sure if should consider getting a better one attached. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Arkless Electronics]

It's the cartridge you need to lose first;) The arm is pretty good so all depends on price...

[Simon75]

Yeah I was thinking the same about the cartridge. Price is on the high side but includes warranty, I going to ask the seller about attaching an upgrade.

[walpurgis]

That's actually a nice combination. The TD160 is a fine turntable and the LVV arm is very underrated. It is better with modern cartridges than the lighter LVXs. Just use a decent cast alloy or magnesium headshell with it and you can mount a good MC cartridge or even a Decca. I own an LVV and it is capable of surprising results.

I'm assuming the Rotel unit is the RQ-970? If so, it's certainly worth using. They sound quite musical.

You can do better than the Ortofon cartridge though, but that's a minor detail! :)

[walpurgis]

How much are you being asked to pay by the way? If you don't mind telling us.

[Simon75]

£395 for the turntable with lvv tone arm and cartridge attached. £95 for rotel phono stage. Includes warranty.

[struth]

has it been replinthed, or is it standard original one

[Simon75]

Good question, pretty certain it's the original plinth.

[Arkless Electronics]

£395 for the turntable with lvv tone arm and cartridge attached. £95 for rotel phono stage. Includes warranty.

That's well pricey.

[struth]

Good question, pretty certain it's the original plinth.

would say its £100 over tbh. Guarantee is not worth much on this as if its ok to start with and decent condition then tbh there is little to go wrong bar a belt change or a drop of oil....if its running ok that is. As said the cart is pretty much worthless in value terms here, so your paying 400 for a deck that you can pick up for under 200, and a linn arm that is decent to good. I wouldnt value it much over 100....
Great decks when set up/ I used to have a nice one untlil fairly recently .. they need a better base and plinth though to sing

[Simon75]

Indeed! I think it needs a better cartridge for the price. The one on offer is going for £30 on Amazon.

[walpurgis]

Not sure I'd necessarily agree Jez.

I'd value the turntable if in good order, at maybe £180 without an arm, but they can fetch more. The LVV sells for around £100, as does the Rotel phono stage. The cartridge is not worth pricing really, but call it £15.

The comes out at £395!

With a warranty (whatever that may be), I'd see that little lot as being OK for the money.

[Arkless Electronics]

I don't know if I'm getting out of touch on values but I would say £120 for the TD160, £70 for the LVV, the cartridge is worthless and around £80 for the phono stage. Warranty is useless as all these things are so reliable you ain't going to need a warranty.

[struth]

Think the phono stage is extra

[Arkless Electronics]

Not sure I'd necessarily agree Jez.

I'd value the turntable if in good order, at maybe £180 without an arm, but they can fetch more. The LVV sells for around £100, as does the Rotel phono stage. The cartridge is not worth pricing really, but call it £15.

The comes out at £395!

With a warranty (whatever that may be), I'd see that little lot as being OK for the money.

Hmm I've not priced this gear up on ebay or anything but I think you are over valuing it a bit..... Also the £395 he's being charged doesn't include the phono stage!!!!

[Arkless Electronics]

You just beat me Grant!

[walpurgis]

Think the phono stage is extra

So it is. I missed that, thinking it was £395 all in. In that case it's £95 too dear (sorry Jez :)).

Worth considering making an offer though.

[walpurgis]

Poor old Patrick. Asks us a simple question and gets two pages of debate! :D

[Simon75]

Thanks for the advice folks, it's much appreciated. Yeah I was suspecting the price was on the higher side. I'm due to see it set up on Thursday, will see if it's negotiable otherwise it's no deal.

[Arkless Electronics]

Poor old Patrick. Asks us a simple question and gets two pages of debate! :D

He's new... he may make the mistake of asking about cables next and realise just what he's gotten into here... (move away from the keyboard Patrick!:D:))

[walpurgis]

How are you fixed for cables Patrick? :lol:

[Arkless Electronics]

How are you fixed for cables Patrick? :lol:

There's always one!

[walpurgis]

There's always one!

Oh yes!! :yesbruv:

[Simon75]

Doing okay for cables thanks! At least I've worked out the lvv tonearm is decent.

[Arkless Electronics]

TT is good too and I've just had a look at the circuit diagram of the RQ970BX and it should sound pretty good. Cartridge is a robust spherical stylus DJ thing...bit like a DL103 with a Concorde aesthetic going on IIRC:D
I would say £300 for the lot including the phono stage (is it a RQ970BX?). Shove the warranty as the chances of any of that gear going wrong within 3 month or even a year is remote!

[walpurgis]

I would say £300 for the lot including the phono stage (is it a RQ970BX?). Shove the warranty as the chances of any of that gear going wrong within 3 month or even a year is remote!

Yeah. I agree.

[Simon75]

Yeah the phono stage is the Rotel RQ970BX. Sounds like set up is good but not the price. I will see if he is up for knocking it down or fitting a better cartridge. The TT is good by all accounts, looking forward to hearing it regardless on Thursday whether or not I buy it. Was previously considering going for the new Rega planar 3 before the 160td appeared. Any thoughts?

[DSJR]

That's actually a nice combination. The TD160 is a fine turntable and the LVV arm is very underrated. It is better with modern cartridges than the lighter LVXs. Just use a decent cast alloy or magnesium headshell with it and you can mount a good MC cartridge or even a Decca. I own an LVV and it is capable of surprising results.



Please don't ditch the supposedly inferior flexible headshell (ADC used it in addition to the LMG1 model I recall), as this shell aids tonearm resonances, according to a 'Choice review. A more rigid headshell may possibly be worse...

The OM5 is harmless enough I suppose, but a Sumiko Pearl is more what 'we' used to use (it was called a Rega R100 or A&R E77 back then ;)) An external stylus balance may be useful too, as the counterweight calibration wasn't very accurate I remember.

[walpurgis]

Just my view. But I'd sooner have a TD160 than any Rega.

[Arkless Electronics]

Yeah the phono stage is the Rotel RQ970BX. Sounds like set up is good but not the price. I will see if he is up for knocking it down or fitting a better cartridge. The TT is good by all accounts, looking forward to hearing it regardless on Thursday whether or not I buy it. Was previously considering going for the new Rega planar 3 before the 160td appeared. Any thoughts?

A good TD160 properly set up will thrash a Planar 3 IMHO. Only advantage of Rega is the "fit and forget" aspect, again IMHO. Just to be sure you are getting the real McCoy take the platter mat off and then lift off the outer platter. The inner platter of that model should be a mazak casting like the outer platter and not grey plastic.... some latter ones were cheapened but I think there was a change to letters after the 160 :scratch:

[Arkless Electronics]

Please don't ditch the supposedly inferior flexible headshell (ADC used it in addition to the LMG1 model I recall), as this shell aids tonearm resonances, according to a 'Choice review. A more rigid headshell may possibly be worse...

The OM5 is harmless enough I suppose, but a Sumiko Pearl is more what 'we' used to use (it was called a Rega R100 or A&R E77 back then ;)) An external stylus balance may be useful too, as the counterweight calibration wasn't very accurate I remember.

Maybe true that...You probably don't need a solid kryptonite headshell... Has anyone else noticed that headshells has become the new trendy subject of much bollox being spoken and prices going through the roof!?
You couldn't give away any arm with a separate headshell a few years ago! Not rigid enough! It sometimes amazes me that "fashions" apply to hi fi as well... I should be used to it by now.... Did I tell you all how it was all fields round here when I was a lad?:wheniwasaboy:

[walpurgis]

There was good reason for the ultra rigid Magnesium ADC headshells becoming the ones to go for 35 years ago. They sounded better! :)

[Arkless Electronics]

There was good reason for the ultra rigid Magnesium ADC headshells becoming the ones to go for 35 years ago. They sounded better! :)

I bought one at the time but was disappointed to notice little or no difference! I reckon that what with the screw on mech + usual rubber "shim" and spring loaded contacts it can't make that much difference YMMV. It can help as far as different mass headshells getting the LF resonant frequency into a more optimum range sometimes...
There is no doubt some change in subjective results due to the headshell materiel etc but I would expect it to be so small as to be negligible in practice. As I say I haven't noticed any differences worth reporting personally..

[Simon75]

That's good advice. I think getting a solid secondhand turntable is the way to go, wasn't keen to purchase via eBay/gumtree but if the price is right then why not.

[walpurgis]

If you want a useful turntable at a fair price, why not put a 'wanted' posting in our 'Private Exhibitions' section? There are quite a few members within driving distance from you. Something decent may be available.

[Simon75]

Will do! Just been looking at something really tempting on eBay just now.

[DSJR]

There was good reason for the ultra rigid Magnesium ADC headshells becoming the ones to go for 35 years ago. They sounded better! :)

With the superior Rega R200 and Japanese relatives perhaps, but in my experience, not with the LVV, which was a cobbled together parts-bin job - it worked too...