Thorens td160hd upgrade

[Lidsmoes]

Hello
I'd like some ideas for upgrading my Thorens td 160 hd turntable. I've had it about a year now and I'm fairly happy with it. It's set up with the standard oem Rega rb 250 and an Audio Note IQ-2 cartridge. Problem is it sounds a bit like a cd player to my ears. I'd like to add som tonal colour, depth and 'juice' to the sound.

How do I best proceed?

Thanks in advance!

best, Lars

[The Grand Wazoo]

What phono stage are you using Lars?

[Lidsmoes]

Hi Chris
I'm using the phono stage in my Plinius 9200.
Compared to an EAR 834p deluxe i demoed just recently it's more lean an a lot less euphonic. I really like the midrange of the EAR, but it's pretty dear in Denmark and I'd like to fiddle a bit on the spinner before changing the phonostage. I tried a Croft RIAA too - didn't work at all - I guess it's an impedance mismatch with the Plinius.

best, Lars

[Stratmangler]

Hi Lars

You might be able to get some ideas from here http://www.theanalogdept.com/thorens_td_160_dept_.htm - I have a TD125 MkII myself, and have no hands on experience of the TD160.

An SRM Tech rubber band around the periphery of the platter (thanks again Marco) works well to dampen ringing, as well as provide a small amount of additional mass to increase the flywheel effect to improve pitch stability.
I also use a cork mat, so mainly platter dampening again.


Cheers

[ourdogmax]

Isn't the 160HD an acrylic platter?
If so, ringing shouldn't be a problem.

[Stratmangler]

Isn't the 160HD an acrylic platter?
If so, ringing shouldn't be a problem.

Ah well, I did say that I had no hands on experience of the TD160

[Stratmangler]

Having had a look here http://www.thorens.com/turntables/drives/td-160-hd.html I can see that the 160HD is a fine fettled beast as a starting point.

I wish I'd seen that web page before I posted

[Lidsmoes]

Thanks guys.
Well damping isn't a problem.. It's stuffed with some RDC material and feels pretty dead - there's certainly no ringing.

It came with a corkish mat like this: http://www.analogueseduction.net/pro...ecord_Mat_BHRM
which works very well and allows me to change the vta a slight bit.

[Lidsmoes]

Any thoughts on arm, pickup or power supply improvements?

[REW]

Hi Lars

I don't own a 160HD but have had one at home for a while to compare with my Michell Tecnodec. I found the Thorens/RB250/Goldring 1042 to sound very full and tonally coloured with my main setup (see signature), to the point where it was too full for me!

The AN cartridge is derived from a Goldring 1000 series so is likely to have a similar sonic signature.

I think the issue may lie in your phono pre-amp as others suggest, as this area has yielded significant differences for me. My current Beard was a lucky find and created a rich yet detailed presentation that immediately I heard it I knew suited me, in contrast to a rather thinner, joyless presentation from a previous Project pre-amp. Can you borrow a "known good" stand alone pre amp or two to try from a dealer or friend?

Hope this helps

Ron