Please let us know how it went when you bought a replacement belt for your Thorens.

Posted by BrianE (A) on May 07, 2003 at 19:47:05

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

1) 145

2) MAT Electronics, $1.75

3) FBM 20.0

4) no description offered, no markings on belt, I didn't measure it, I'd guess it's approx. .2" wide

5) yes, wider than Thorens OEM but works fine, barely clears speed selector and thus could be a problem for some

6)

Also list FBM 20.7 which I'll get next time I order from MAT. Their $4.25 "generic" stylus for Shure M91ED also working quite well.

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - bostrowskij 07:33:36 05/07/03 (0)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

1. TD 150 mkII

2. audioselectief.nl ( Thanks MunkieNL !), 30Euro

3. n/a

4. Original "White logo" Thorens belt

5. Perfect fit

1. TD166 mkI

2. Reference Audio, Stockholm 300 SEK

(~$33 , a ripoff since its not an original belt

but I wanted to get the TT going...)

3. n/a

4. "no name" generic belt, "One size fits all" according to seller.

5. Perfect fit

Have tried both belts on both TT:s , works fine on both . No need for re-tuning suspension or speed changer. Original belt a tad smaller, but seems to be more elastic and gives an impression of better quality.

Bostro , Sweden

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - markcinuk 06:15:34 05/07/03 (0)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

Not really a "Thorens replacement belt" since my deck is a Systemdek II! However, I was sold a branded Thorens belt for my deck by London UK retailer KJ Leisuresound for about £10 UK (they had no replacements for the Systemdek belt). It worked, though was perhaps a touch too long for optimum tension. Subsequently, I've bought 'generic Thorens' belts from a Tottenham Court Road repair shop (no packaging, belts just hanging on a hook, 11 UKP), and these seem just right - they might be too tight on a genuine Thorens, and this is a story I've heard before about these 'replacements.'

Hope this is of interest.

Mark

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - Bob Johnson 06:03:21 05/07/03 (0)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

First attempt:

1) TD160

2) MCM Electronics. About $2

3) Don't know. Maybe FRX20

4) 20" x .187" x .031

5) Fit fine, but sounded bad

6) Didn't try returning it. Bought original belt from below.

Second attempt:

1) TD160

2) Cadence Northcountry Audio

3) Thorens original replacement part

4) n/a

5) No problems

6) n/a

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - evaia 00:37:34 05/07/03 (1)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

1) Thorens model: TD 165

2) vendor: www.mantra-audio.co.uk

3) vendor part number TB42

4) vendor description Turntable Belt TB42 Diameter 162 x 5 x 0.7 - total length 509mm suitable for most Thorens models

5) did the belt fit Length fine but it was probably a bit wide and rubbed on the speed change lever at 45 rpm

6) How was the problem resolved...? Adjusted the speed change lever with my mate Sam the screwdriver.

Also had a Dual belt or two from them in the past

Cheers

David

Forgot - £7 <nt> - evaia 00:39:25 05/07/03 (0)

In Reply to: Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by evaia on May 07, 2003 at 00:37:34:

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - Werner 22:10:10 05/06/03 (0)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

1) TD-160 MkI

2) www.phonophono.de 15 Euro (2001, now costs 20 Euro)

3) D18690

4) Universal-Ersatzriemen Orginal i.e Thorens-branded universal belt

5) obviously

6) -

They also sell clone belts for Thorens at 10 Euro.

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: (long) - AR guy 20:47:48 05/06/03 (2)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

As some of you may or may not know I used to make a pretty good business out of selling generic belts on ebay under the name billydirect for ARs, Thorens, Linn, Dual, and Technics tables to name the most popular brands.

Specific models of long but thin flat belts are getting very difficult to source lately so I have backed off on this business. While most tables will allow for a fair bit of belt size tolerance Thorens were particularly sensitive. Note that AR's were problems too but Linn, Dual, Technics and most others were always fine.

I still believe that this can usually be adequately compensated for by trying a few different belt lengths and adjusting the suspension appropriately. Note that belts will stretch 5-10% over a usable lifespan. However width seemed to be the biggest problem and there was even some variety between batch shipments. It got to be too much fooling around so I stopped. But I did sell literally hundreds to satisfied customers and took care of anyone who wasn't with a replacement or refund.

Here's your poll answers:

1) Thorens model - too hard to narrow down, Thorens offers one belt that fits most of thier tables although with generic belts it was hit and miss - there are too many variables between model variations and international pulley sizes. Like I said the biggest problem isn't usually length but width due to various belt guides and speed selectors.

2) vendor who sold you the belt and what was the price..? I sold them for $9.95 each or $29.95 in five packs

3) vendor part number - the best replacment is a FRZ19.6 but it is expensive, difficult to find, and often substituted with one of the generics anyway. The SC20.0, FBM20.0, and 1407-220 are easy to find, work most of the time, and quite reasonably priced but there can be issues.

4) vendor description of belt for length width etc. Well the length is in the model number and they vary in width from 0.156" to 0.185" and 0.250"

5) did the belt fit and function correctly..? When they do they are as good as a facotry original at a fraction of the price.

6) if the belt did not fit, did the vendor accept returns and make

refunds...? How was the problem resolved...? See below:

I've dealt with Tim at www.turntablebasics.com and he runs a class act. He will go out of his way to get you the right solution and if not just refund your money. Reasonable prices, good selection, well stocked, and fast delivery.

www.elexatelier.com provides nearly perfect knock offs of factory originals and a great selection but at a hefty price.

I came across a website called www.turntablebelts.com that seemed to have good selection and pricing. Most of their cross-reference models looked good although some I'd disagree with but I haven't dealt with them to know how they handle that.

I've heard all kinds of mixed stories about KABUSA, the needle doctor, music direct and garage-a- records but again, haven't dealt with them to know for sure. I think they are pretty respectable business just trying to deal with the same problems I did and people will say what they want.

Enough said - any questions?

Re: thanks and a question... - user510 21:31:24 05/06/03 (1)

In Reply to: Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: (long) posted by AR guy on May 06, 2003 at 20:47:48:

"Enough said - any questions?"

Thanks for that informative reply. It helps to get a seller's point of view. If I were limited to one question amongst all this, I would have to ask, were do you get the information that guides you to select which belt part number for which turntable model...? Who publishes the chart...?

In the case of the Thorens TD12x,14x,15x,16x and others, Thorens lists one part number for the replacement belt. I know from measuring the original belt that came on my table what the width and thickness should be. (.156 x .03) My hunch is that the Turntable basics' listing of the 19.6 belt length combined with the above mentioned width and thickness are the dimensional features wanted. But there is another attribute not mentioned that is a factor in setting up a Thorens. Compliance. Thorens doesn't list belt compliance so we are left to reverse engineer existing parts. Anyone have a belt compliance meter...? I guess it would be a tension-ometer kind of thingie.

Why go to this much trouble...? Well why go to the trouble of a careful suspension adjustment if when you pop on a different belt, your calibrated suspension is pulled completely out of whack...?

Stuff like that.

-Steve

Re: thanks and a question... - AR guy 22:15:11 05/06/03 (0)

In Reply to: Re: thanks and a question... posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 21:31:24:

belt manufacturers offer cross reference tables - PRB and EVG are the two largest and I believe that one bought out the other recently - odds are the custom make most of the original belts too.

never seen such a thing - there are belt measuring devices for width and length that look like a slide ruler with some notches. Most of the wider in width belts are thinner in thickness so the compliance is usually pretty close to the thinner width/wider thickness models. Like I said you can also compensate by going a 1/2 inch shorter or longer.

Hey, I stopped selling the Thorens belts because it was getting too tough to figure them out all the variations between models and limited supply of belts. However, if you find a cheap belt that works fine for yours - why not? Like I said most other tables are less fussy. Even if you use a stock belt, buy the time it wears out it can have stretched by an inch or two and suspension readjustment will be unavoidable. Suspension was rarely the problem - usually it was belt guides, pulleys, or speed selectors.

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - John 19:17:33 05/06/03 (0)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

I bought replacement belts for my 124 and 125II from Elex Atelier. I can't remember what I paid, but they both worked fine. Part # = Thorens Model #.

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - mark111 17:21:48 05/06/03 (0)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

don't know.i bought my TD126mkIII new in 1979,and have never had to replace the belt(or anything else other than the cart.).

enjoy,

mark

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - gg 13:45:08 05/06/03 (1)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

I recently bought some replacement belts for my TD-145 mkII and TD-147. I bought them from Turntable Basics in Minneapolis, MN. The cost was, I think, 15.00 and the part number was FRZ 19.6. Length was given as 19.6 inches, width .156 inches. I put the belt on the td-145 mk II, and it was quite snug and was visibly shorter than the belt it replaced, also apparently not the original belt unfortunately.

Turntable Basics promptly sent me longer and wider belts to try (FRX 21.2, SC 20.7, SC 20.0). Each of these was .196 wide and, respectively, 21.2, 20.7 and 20.0 inches long. The only one I felt comfortable using was the FRX 21.2. Even though it is too wide, it is slack enough that I'm not concerned about it ruining the motor, or bearings.

Turntable Basics has been great. They seem genuinely concerned to figure out which of their belts fits on which Thorens table. However, I would guess that they currently don't have a perfect replacement belt for the TD-145, or 147. I think the FRX 21.2 is about the right length, but is probably a bit wider than the original. However, it seems to work OK.

A question: How sure are we that the replacement belts for the entire 14X and 16X series are the same length and width. (Belt sellers also say the same belt can be used on TD-2001.)It may be possible, for example, that the TD-166 mk II takes a slightly shorter belt. Or. . . ?

Re: Thorens replacement belt poll: - Jolyon 13:06:35 05/06/03 (0)

In Reply to: Thorens replacement belt poll: posted by user510 on May 06, 2003 at 12:53:31:

Belts for TD125 and TD160 (on 2 separate occasions) were bought from Technical and General in the UK. Price was about £20 each inc. p&p.

They were advertised as genuine Thorens replacements and worked perfectly.

I am not affialiated with Technical and General in any way.

Jolyon.