Thinking about getting an old new turntable

[Jac Hawk]

Ok so i'm looking for a little advice which I may or may not take I guess, basically I've got it in my head that I need another turntable, I wan't something from the 70's or 80's which i can upgrade the tonearm on and can still find parts for, i quite fancy a Thorens TD160 B Mk2 or Super with the SME 3009 Mk2 arm as i had a B Mk2 many years ago and i wish my now ex missus hadn't thrown it in the skip while I was away on business but that's another story.

So i've been looking in the usual places the Thorens vary in price quite a bit, i've looked at the LP12 and it's just too expensive, is there anything else i should keep an eye out for, as i've said i don't want to be getting something that can't be fixed if there is an issue with it so i'd guess most of the Jap DD turntables are out of the question, so what should i be looking for?

[Lurch]

I have an Ariston RD80SL with Linn LVx, which I'm looking to move on also have a spare plinth, they're very capable decks. Only reason for moving it on is I've been offered a mint Thorens TD166 complete with box packing and manual, to partner my all 80s 2nd system.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

[ianlenco]

A Lenco. Easy to service, plenty of spares and a fair number of 3rd party upgrades. In stock form it's good, replinthed it's a superb record player.

[walpurgis]

Go with what you know and get another TD160. They're excellent decks and parts are easy to find.

[struth]

Yup the 160 mk2 is a great deck. put a new plinth on etc and its a damn good deck; well mine was..a looker too. You could look out for a jbe slatedeck too.. its a very nice deck too. i enjoy mine when in use.. not much to go wrong with either and both take a 3009 easily

[Jac Hawk]

Wasn't there a big hoohaa about Ariston and Linn back in the day? are spares easy enough to get hold of?

I've never considered a Lenco, probably because i know absolutely nothing about them, i'll do some research.

[walpurgis]

Wasn't there a big hoohaa about Ariston and Linn back in the day? are spares easy enough to get hold of?

I've never considered a Lenco, probably because i know absolutely nothing about them, i'll do some research.

I doubt you'd find new parts for an Ariston. The Lencos are really nice, but may require more fettling than a Thorens. In good standard trim, I'd say they are equally decent.

[struth]

https://live.staticflickr.com/4809/45891262601_b180ceee7f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2cVfHxx)IMG_0457 (https://flic.kr/p/2cVfHxx) by , on Flickr

My one looked like this after fettling

[Paul-H]

For what they cost you can't beat a well setup TD-160, they can be often had for quite a bit less than $£€200, I paid £145 For mine a few years ago, if I was to buy something similar new I would probably need to look north of 2 grand, just look at what Thorens current equivalent their TD1600 costs and that's just a modern 160.

New is not always better just different and new, I know that is sometimes more important.

It's also nice to be able to say that excellent sounding turntable is 45 years or more old now.

Some say the tonearm is it's weak point but to improve it needs a very expensive arm, so in reality it's not that bad after all if you have to spend a grand or more to do better.

Obviously others will have a differing view ;)

[RobbieGong]

Go with what you know and get another TD160. They're excellent decks and parts are easy to find.

+1

[Jac Hawk]

Cheers guys, the TD160 is still top of my list, but i've read that the Ariston RD11 shares a lot of parts with the LP12, in fact the LP12 is from what i've read a copy of the RD11, given the fact that there is supply of LP12 parts would an RD11 be worth a look or are there a whole host of parts that are different and now unobtainable?

[walpurgis]

Cheers guys, the TD160 is still top of my list, but i've read that the Ariston RD11 shares a lot of parts with the LP12, in fact the LP12 is from what i've read a copy of the RD11, given the fact that there is supply of LP12 parts would an RD11 be worth a look or are there a whole host of parts that are different and now unobtainable?

Both of which were based on the Thorens TD150, from which the TD160 evolved.

[walpurgis]

I recently treated myself to a classic, a TD150 Mk.II with the TP13a tonearm. They are wickedly good and so undervalued (so far).

Read this: http://theturntableshop.com/opinion/thorens-td150-turntable-review/

Grab one while you can, prices will rocket soon. Same is already happening with the TD160.

[hifi_dave]

The Ariston RD11 was the predecessor to the LP12, both made by Castle Engineering, I believe. So, the majority of parts are interchangeable. In fact, I have re-furbed several RD11 using LP12 parts, over the years.

[walpurgis]

Is that an economic option?

[hifi_dave]

Not now but it was, some years ago, before Linn started to increase their prices to ridiculous levels.

[Audio Al]

Technics 1200 or 1210 , tinker to your hearts content and no rubber bands or worn out tyres to replace :D

[mikeyb]

Technics 1200 or 1210 , tinker to your hearts content and no rubber bands or worn out tyres to replace :DI'm about to sell my 1210 [emoji6]

[Jac Hawk]

Technics 1200 or 1210 , tinker to your hearts content and no rubber bands or worn out tyres to replace :D

Always fancied one i must admit and i've never had one side by side a TD160 to see which one in standard form sounds the best, this is a bit of a head scratcher i think

[mik_rik]

Have a '160 doing nowt .Good cosmetics, needs bit of fettling.Mk 1 I think.Pm if interested.

Mick

[Columbo]

If you like the look of this being offered, I'd go for it if the price is ok. They go for crazy prices now on eBay; even the 150. Have a look for yourself. I was shocked.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Systemdek IIX ? A very rated deck.

[Jac Hawk]

So i've taken Mik Rik up on his very kind offer of a MK1 TD160 and i'm now planning the fetelling and upgrades, as yet i've not seen the deck but would imagine that a new belt and a service would be the 1st step, ultimately though i'd want to upgrade the plinth and maybe add some bitumen damping to the top plate, also i'd like to upgrade the arm and was thinking of an SME 3009 or perhaps a Rega or an Audiomods arm, what do you think?

[topoxforddoc]

Tonearm depends on the cartridge. Think of them together. Are you looking to use a vintage high compliance cartridge, a modern medium compliance MM, or a low compliance MC?

[Jac Hawk]

Tonearm depends on the cartridge. Think of them together. Are you looking to use a vintage high compliance cartridge, a modern medium compliance MM, or a low compliance MC?

Initially a Dynavector 10x5 but will swap it out for an Audio Technica AT-OC9XSL

[Columbo]

Not really a fan of the looks of the MK 1, but this is ok:

https://youtu.be/_mBDlpCtdnA

https://youtu.be/Fm6qp_p0oTc

[Jac Hawk]

Not really a fan of the looks of the MK 1, but this is ok:

https://youtu.be/_mBDlpCtdnA

https://youtu.be/Fm6qp_p0oTc

Me neither so i'll be doing the upgrades to the plinth and the damping that turns it into a super, i'll probably replace the top face plate so that i don't have the holes for the arm lifter and arm rest

[Columbo]

Not a fan of the arm in particular, but I could live with the one in the video, and it bettered his SME after the mods. Sounds decent enough.

There's a seller on eBay that does top plates for Thorens decks. I think it would be cheaper to get a sheet of brushed stainless steel cut with the arm cut-out and screw holes and bearing hole.

http://ebay.co.uk/itm/124220742502

[Jac Hawk]

Not a fan of the arm in particular, but I could live with the one in the video, and it bettered his SME after the mods. Sounds decent enough.

There's a seller on eBay that does top plates for Thorens decks. I think it would be cheaper to get a sheet of brushed stainless steel cut with the arm cut-out and screw holes and bearing hole.

http://ebay.co.uk/itm/124220742502

Yes i've seen those, the sheet metal it's made of is only 1mm thick and i can't imagine the original is any thicker, it's for show though and nothing else so it's thickness isn't necessarily an issue, i've seen in a video that removing the plate can be tricky as it's glued on

[Columbo]

I would only use it as a template for the brushed stainless steel plate, along the lines of an extended Linn top plate.

Do like the classic black and brushed steel/aluminium look. Could even settle for the version here if the arm was modified and decluttered:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/49e1f6e93e984f1b79ed1f299da2e531.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200621/6c982397168ee7c681e324b9a397ef77.jpg

[Jac Hawk]

I've always liked the look of the TD160 B MkII

[Pigmy Pony]

I used to have a Grace G707 with Nagaoka MP11 Boron. Seemed to work well, and pretty vintage :)

[Jac Hawk]

I used to have a Grace G707 with Nagaoka MP11 Boron. Seemed to work well, and pretty vintage :)

I'm getting rid of the Pro-Ject TT that i have at the moment to make way for this little project but i'll be keeping the Dynavector 10x5 so a cart wont be an issue, plus this Dynavector in one guise or another has been around since the late 70's so of the same vintage nearly.

BTW when can i expect a visit Steve I think the Kralks will impress you and I should get my hands on the Primaluna very soon

[Pigmy Pony]

I'm getting rid of the Pro-Ject TT that i have at the moment to make way for this little project but i'll be keeping the Dynavector 10x5 so a cart wont be an issue, plus this Dynavector in one guise or another has been around since the late 70's so of the same vintage nearly.

BTW when can i expect a visit Steve I think the Kralks will impress you and I should get my hands on the Primaluna very soon

I've sent you a PM Mike.

[cjm123]

Hi chaps,

Sorry late to this thread as usual. I decided I wanted to do the same 6 months ago and found a one owner completely original 1979 LP12 with Basik PSU and IMHO the very underrated ADC ALT-1 tonearm at a Linn dealer who had completely re-built, serviced and set it up and were selling on behalf of a deceased customers estate and so at a very reasonable price. All I had to do was replace the knackered A&R P77 cart with a new AT-VM95e clean it all up and it sounds fantastic.

If you are patient there are some nice new old turntables out there.

Good luck with the search

Chris

[Jac Hawk]

The TT is already sourced now thanks to Mik Rik and the TD160 in its standard form is just begging to be upgraded, simple stuff like a better quality plinth and a better base plate improve the sound no end as does adding bitumen damping and in essence turns the TD160 into a TD160 Super as these were the improvements Thorens made themselves to the deck in its final incarnation. Other things i want to do apart from service and setup are replacing the Thorens arm for something a bit better and replacing the top plate and i might even look at adding a thrust baring to the motor and maybe look rearranging the wiring. Should keep me busy for a little while, i can't wait.

[walpurgis]

Don't get rid of the original Thorens platter mat. Try others if you want, but you may well find the original sounds best.

[Jac Hawk]

Don't get rid of the original Thorens platter mat. Try others if you want, but you may well find the original sounds best.

I won't be chucking anything especially the mat

[Jac Hawk]

Well i picked the old new TT up yesterday from Mik Rik, it was good to be back in the north east even if it was only for a brief visit and it was good to meet up with Mick again as we usually only bump into each other at NEBO bake offs, hopefully i'll get this TD160 sorted before the next one.

So i've ordered some new bits and spent a few hours today stripping the TT down to it's bones, i'm not keeping the arm as i never liked it so it's been removed along with the motor and top plate, it looks like someones had a go at balancing this in the past and the suspension is way off but at least it's in good condition, no rusty springs or split grommets so once the new plinth arrives getting it balanced will be among the first jobs. The motor looks to be in good condition and it looks like someone has tried oiling it and has got some of the oil on the plastic pulley assembly, i don't fancy taking this off and cleaning it as there's an incredibly small retaining clip holding everything together but it's honestly going to bug the shit out of me so i'm just going to have to be careful and take my time,

To be honest i've been looking for something like this to keep me occupied for a while and most things i can do myself however I'd like to get the rim of the platter polished but as i don't have the tools to do it myself i was wondering if anyone knows a guy that can do this sort of thing?

[Jac Hawk]

So the deck is finished well apart from the armboard which i'm not happy with and some screw caps, here's a few photo's

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50123306838_dcacc57393_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jne3Ru)IMG_2454 (https://flic.kr/p/2jne3Ru) by mike davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185433896@N07/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50123306858_6b02c139a0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jne3RQ)IMG_2455 (https://flic.kr/p/2jne3RQ) by mike davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185433896@N07/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50123306793_4e626ff01b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jne3QH)IMG_2453 (https://flic.kr/p/2jne3QH) by mike davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/185433896@N07/), on Flickr

[Barry]

Looking good Mike - well done! :)

[Pete812]

Nice looking TT you got there :)

[Jac Hawk]

Cheers guys, I’m pleased with it, the 3009 has always been a good match for the TD160 and sounds much better than I remember, maybe the mods I’ve carried out have had some sonic benefits