Finally took the plunge and purchased a TT

Evrythngmatters
Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
edited October 2011 in Electronics
Picked up a very nice Thorens Td-160 tt yesterday. Very nice looking piece imo. Currently I have it hooked up to a Nikko Beta 20 pre,NAD 2600 amp,and a pair of Polk RTA-11T speakers. Currently it has a Grado green cartridge. Not sure if this is a very good cartridge but it sure does sound good so far. This pre is a sleeper for the money. Very good phono stage. Much better than the Adcom 565 pre I was using to test the tt originally. I was hoping to hear everything I did when I listened to cds and I must confess that I heard everything I was looking for plus alot more. The overall sound is just so much more pleasing to listen to. I found myself diving deeper into the music like I did when I first picked up a little tube hybrid amp. Now I am looking to put together a system based around this tt. I was thinking of going to a server for all my music but not anymore. I am putting together a tt based system now. Plus, I have something to physically see where all my money went,lol. Not just 1,000s of songs in a little ol' box. Does the audio bug ever go away.........i don't think so.
Everything matters. That is all.
Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
Post edited by Evrythngmatters on
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Comments

  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited September 2011
    Congrats-- it's a deep dark hole that you are on the edge of--have fun and enjoy.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited September 2011
    Congrats on the TT purchase!! I've been using a Thorens TD-160 since around last Christmas. I've since changed the arm to a Mission 774 (earliest version) and that mod made an already great sounding table sound even better. The Thorens is extremely quiet for a vintage table. If you ever change cartridges on the TP-16 arm just make sure you get a high compliance unit as this arm is very light. Enjoy!!!
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,913
    edited September 2011
    Not just nice looking - a very good European belt-drive turntable.
    The Grado's should be a reasonable match for the low-mass arm on the Thorens.

    I like the Grado sound (FWIW); except for compliance matching, choice of cartridge is a pretty subjectively-charged undertaking :-)
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  • stuwee
    stuwee Posts: 1,508
    edited September 2011
    Congrats on a great purchase!! That Thorens will probably out live you, I will never sell mine. I'm pretty sure you can upgrade the stylus on the green, call the Needle Dr. and ask what would be the best and the cost. I've run a Grado Gold on mine, but I like the sound of the old vintage Shure V15's with it. I have vintage SME 3009 arm on it. Just a fantastic sounding TT.

    Start looking for room for all the LPs you're about to buy, welcome to the madness :cool:
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited September 2011
    I had a great listening session yesterday. After the RTA-11T made their rounds for music I hooked up my little hybrid and a pair of ADS speakers. What a fun experience that was. Since I heard the news about REM breaking up I threw some old REM on the tt and off I went. For some reason though, each side of the record only lasted like 1 minute. Well, not really but I was enjoying the music so much, time just flew by. The next thing I know it's time for another record. Yesterdays listening and playing session will go down in my top 5 for pure listening pleasure. Sometimes I get so caught up in picking up new/old gear to try out I miss the point of the whole hobby.......the music. Nice to kick back for a few hours with nothing to do but jam.:biggrin:
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited September 2011
    Thanks for the congrats guys. I will take the advice offered and run with it. Happy so far with everything but we here at Cp know how that goes. There seems to be a rabbit hole around every corner.
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    Need some input here folks. I am wanting to completely get this tt in pristine condition. Since I know next to nothing about them I was wondering if this is a good route to take. My tt is in awesome condition now as it is but having everything serviced and some upgrades sounds good. Anyone ever use this guys services? His price for everything will be $395.00 (parts and labor). Here is a link to what is done and the final product. Any input is appreciated.
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1320644621&/Thorens-td-160-Bold-Restoratio
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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  • stuwee
    stuwee Posts: 1,508
    edited October 2011
    I've only heard good things about his work, and now seeing the final product, Wow!! Nice, I know where my TD 125 is going next year for a full redo. I've taped his name and info on the underside so I don't forget. I'd find out what the turn around time is for his work from him and ask for some refs from him while you're at it.

    He sounds a little pricey, but quality work always does.
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited October 2011
    The stock Thorens arm is a fine arm in it's own right, and the table can keep up if you get the urge to upgrade.

    I have a few around here in various stages of modification with Thorens, Grace 707, SME 2009 Series III, Sumiko MMT and Infinity Black Widow tonearms.

    Congrats on your find.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    stuwee wrote: »
    I'd find out what the turn around time is for his work from him and ask for some refs from him while you're at it.

    He sounds a little pricey, but quality work always does.

    I asked about the turn around time and it is 7 days max. Once he gets the tt in he starts working on it. He does everything listed in the link I posted and said he would throw in a cork mat as well like the one in the pics. Don't know if it makes a difference or not but like my name says, everything matters.:biggrin: I spoke to him on the phone today and within minutes he sent me two emails. I will post them in my next post in a minute so you can see how he suggested I pack up the tt. If there are any suggestions for shipping a tt not listed in his email please by all means let me know.
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    Hello,

    Here i have some info about the Restoration.

    In the Restoration will be included all i have described on my listings, if we keep the walnut finish but lacquered many coats the total will be $395. That option will include the polishing-cleaning -lubrication -hardware-and labor. The hardware is including the belt ,the new Maringo power jack the new Audiophile grade power cord and the braded black sleeving the adjustable cones
    ,the Vampire highest grade Vampire RCA jacks.Free gift the cork mat you see in the pictures of listing.
    The processing can start as soon as receive the turntable.
    I will send another email with instructions quick guide for safe packing-shipping .

    Sincerely

    Spiros Vasilatos


    Hello,

    Here i have some useful instructions for safe packing .

    Please remove the platter bubble wrap it alone and place it at the bottom of the box. Remove the counterweight and secure the tone arm
    on the rest. Put a piece of cardboard under the subplatter to protect the bearing and suspension.You can lock the suspension if you want too,
    but since you have place the cardboard under the subplatter it is the same thing. Then bubble wrap well the whole turntable put styrofoam or any
    other material,on all sides of box.Fill it up with peanut foam or if you don't have ,use news papers to fill up the box.You don't need to include the dustcover in the box. Use preferably a new box ,the carriers they treated better.Put stickers this end up and fragile,they are available on the carriers offices.
    I hope this will be helpful for you to secure the turntable's safety.
    Sincerely

    Spiros Vasilatos
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    deleted
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    The stock Thorens arm is a fine arm in it's own right, and the table can keep up if you get the urge to upgrade.

    I have a few around here in various stages of modification with Thorens, Grace 707, SME 2009 Series III, Sumiko MMT and Infinity Black Widow tonearms.

    Congrats on your find.

    Thanks for the warm wishes. Sounds as if you have all your bases covered. Wish I was as in the know but time will help with that. This is my first journey as far as tt are concerned and I'm loving every minute of it so far.
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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