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Thorens Data Pages:

Thorens production data various models and dates of production.

Thorens Tonearm vital dimensions, various models

 

Thorens history   

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.

TD2001_1dwg.jpg (164285 bytes)Thorens factory product technical drawings

Thorens User Manuals:

FrontCover.jpg (59745 bytes) Thorens user manuals and factory service manuals. Online, Downloadable and Free.  Power to the people.

 

General info pages for various models of Thorens turntables:

TD226bro_1.jpg (150272 bytes)  Vintage Thorens product brochures

TD124 Dept

tdw224_1.jpg (56459 bytes) TD224 Changer yes, Thorens did make a record changer.  See the movie..!

Thorens TD 125/126 Dept.  

Thorens TD150 Dept   

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'.

Q-up_1.jpg (83221 bytes) Q-up_2.jpg (102874 bytes) Package from a Thorens Q-UP

 

1027109221.jpg (58986 bytes) Thorens Reference MK 1

 Restoring a Thorens Reference mk1 

 Restoring a Thorens Prestige

Thorens Tuners:

Ready.jpg (33237 bytes)Thorens made more than just turntables.  Here is a tuner they made in the mid sixties.

Tweaking your Thorens:

RK13.jpg (82677 bytes) Tweaking the TD125 -126 ala Rolf Kelch

150plnth2e.jpg (47622 bytes) Tweaking a TD150 Mk II. 150skel_3.jpg (71794 bytes)

RK160II_004.jpg (41841 bytes)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

tp60tp13_1.JPG (17992 bytes) Here's a NO-NO

 

 

Detail pictures inside the box:

top_v_no_platter.jpg (92619 bytes) TD124

TD125 MK I, Description

TD-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

166sbpltrweb.jpg (60042 bytes) 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. 

2pt_1.GIF (90061 bytes) Tonearm Cartridge Alignment FAQ an illustrated definition of terms

TD160section_1 copy.jpg (57055 bytes) 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.

motor_1web.jpg (42987 bytes)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.

http://www.stefanopasini.it/Thorens%20TP%2014%20vs%20EMT%20929.htm

Thorens Articles and books:

http://www.stefanopasini.it/images/Thor1215.pdf an informative Thorens history article by Stefano Pasini. (highly recommended)

Now Available

"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.