Thorens Data Pages:
Thorens production data
various models and dates of production.
Thorens
Tonearm vital dimensions, various models
A corporate history of the company is found within the archives at the old production facility in Lahr. This and other documents become the basis for a new page here at The Analog Dept.
Thorens Spare Part Numbers
The official factory list from just before the bankruptcy.
Thorens
factory product technical drawings
Thorens User Manuals:
Thorens user manuals and factory
service manuals. Online, Downloadable and Free. Power
to the people.
General info pages for various models of Thorens turntables:
Vintage Thorens product brochures
TD124 Dept
TD224 Changer yes, Thorens did make a record changer. See the movie..!
Thorens TD 160 Dept.
is specific to the Thorens TD 160 turntable including extensive
'inside-the-box' photo outlays, maintenance, tuning and tweaking information,
parts lists, magazine articles and
advertising literature from 'the day'.
Package from a Thorens Q-UP
Thorens Reference MK 1Restoring a Thorens Reference mk1
Thorens Tuners:
Thorens
made more than just turntables. Here is a tuner they made in the mid
sixties.
Tweaking your Thorens:
Tweaking the TD125 -126 ala Rolf Kelch
Tweaking a TD150 Mk II.
Tweaking
a TD160 ala Rolf Kelch
Tweaking a TD160, simple, easy-to-do mods to get
better sound.
Rewiring a TP16mkII with silver wire.
Bushman's TD166 "Ambiance" taking it well beyond the next level.
How NOT to tweak your Thorens
Here's a NO-NO
Detail pictures inside the box:
TD124TD-145 MK I, an inside-the-box photo of an "automated TD160", the TD145.
Looking inside the TD150 MK II. Photos contributed by Dave Roberts with a link to a more detailed description of the TD150 that Dave refurbished.
TD-160 MK I in detail with interior photos
TD-160 MK II in detail with interior photos
Various Detail Photos of a TP16 MK I tonearm
TD-166 BC in detail with interior photos
TD Platter Bearings. Some
photo documentation of the many variations to be found.
Thorens TD160 head shell kit as used on the MK I TP16 arm equipped
with TP60 plug-in magnesium headshell. The clear plastic jig is provided
to set mounting distance of the stylus in combination with the plastic
shim pads shown (and thus VTA), Azimuth, and Overhang. The overhang
setting will be 14mm with this jig. The Baerwald formula would have us set
overhang at 17mm. I've found that the 17mm setting gets a better test
score on the HFNRR test record and gives a perceptible better sound to my music,
so I only use this Thorens gage for setting stylus mounting distance in the
vertical plane and also for azimuth. It's a useful device and makes living
with the TP16 arm/TP60 headshell combo quite easy. It comes as a standard
accessory with the table when purchased new.
Maintenance and upkeep pages:
Setting Up My First TD160 Some tips for those beginning the journey.
Tonearm Cartridge Alignment FAQ an illustrated definition of terms
Suspension Tuning by Tim Bailey
More suspension tuning notes.....with lots of pictures....and movies.
Finding a proper replacement belt Testing replacement belts from various belt vendors.
TP16 MK I Tonearm maintenance and adjustment to the cueing mechanism. Installing RCA interconnect jacks. Lot's of photos.
TD160
drive pulleys
Thorens Photo Gallery. Various
photos sent in from Thorens owners around the globe. From the everyday models to
the rare and highly prized. The entire spectrum.
Vintage magazine articles and test reports:
Three Reviews from Hi-Fi Choice circa 1989. A TD320 Mk II, TD160S Mk II and a TD166 MkII.
Thorens review articles from British audio mag. "Hi-Fi Answers".
The Thorens TP14 is NOT an EMT929. See link below for the full story.
Thorens Articles and books:
http://www.stefanopasini.it/images/Thor1215.pdf an informative Thorens history article by Stefano Pasini. (highly recommended)
"Swiss Precision, The Story of the Thorens TD 124 and Other Classic Turntables" 2nd ed. English language.
Thorens Links:
http://www.analogue-classics.com/ English language site with info on TD124, TD150 and SME 3009 tonearms
http://www.stefanopasini.it/My%20Turntables-Thorens-Thumbs.htm a great site with a picture history of Thorens tables.
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/td124page.html an informative and very useful page for the TD124. There is also some information on other Thorens models which the site author rates in terms of 2nd hand value and quality.
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/bbs.html a great place to hang out and learn about vinyl. Many there speak Thorens.