tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 17, 2018 3:48:19 GMT
Hi all
Have the chance to pick up a nice td150 mk2 with the straight 13a arm ( spherical counterweight) fitted but it has no headshell. Looking around for a thorens one seems fruitless as none available. Can anyone suggest an alternative
Thanks
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 17, 2018 7:56:42 GMT
I may be wrong, but I think that the Thorens original is the only one that is correct. I have seen quite a few photos of the arm with other Thorens headshells fitted and they are clearly not correct, with the offset angle to the main armtube being all wrong. I am surprised that you can't find one for sale, but be aware that when you do, it may be quite pricey. Did you try searching German and Swiss sources?
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 17, 2018 7:59:57 GMT
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tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 18, 2018 8:55:04 GMT
So I can't use a proprietary sme headshell of the same weight on this arm. I know they make 2 headshells the TP50 & 60 which fit specific arms. I was hoping that the straight TP13 arm could take a variety of other headshells but appears not
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 18, 2018 9:55:01 GMT
I think the connector is different to the SME type pattern, so no, you can't just bung any old headshell on there.
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Post by dsjr on Mar 18, 2018 14:37:52 GMT
The shell is specific to this era of tonearms - the TP16 arm has a straight pipe and offset headshell, although I think the plug and socket are related.
Don't despair and look around with patience as they do come up fairly regularly, or at least they used to. The TP13A isn't the last word in low friction, but it can be serviced and kept stable and sonically I don't believe it to be intrusive. Most modern cartridges track securely at 1.7 to 2g and the likes of a modern AT would be fine for it I think (I think the Goldring E3 screws in from the top sadly). The screws are a fine metric thread (2mm?) so you'll need to make sure you have some of these as well.
Main thing with these decks is to ensure the main bearing spindle isn't wobbling in its sleeves - some later ones do (TD125mk2 and early TD160's) but the 125mk1 and possibly all 150's don't. I used to recommend EP80 viscous gear oil, but was hauled over the coals as some or all Hypoid oils may have additives in them not compatible with sintered bearing sleeves. Current recommendation for main bearing oils is Stihl chainsaw oil once the old stuff is cleaned out, as it's apparently sinter-safe? and has the right kind of viscosity in various turntable bearings. Thorens used a light turbine oil in their turntables, but I don't think it's available in anything less than a massive drum now and if there's a small amount of wobble, a viscous type will help fill the gap a little and with beneficial sonics to boot.. I have no idea what oil Thorens use now, but a call to their distributor may be very helpful to you and I perhaps.. Sorry to mention this aspect, but if the deck is wanting here, then nothing else you do to it will fix a very music-destroying problem in my opinion and experience.
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Post by gariboldi2012 on Mar 18, 2018 23:36:52 GMT
Hi I have a Thorens TD150 mk2 with the Thorens tonearm with the spherical counter weight. I also have an original ADC hesdshell and a Linn Basik lvv tonearm headshell both standard SME fit. I will check that the connection and alignment are ok with the Thorens arm and let you know.
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tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 19, 2018 7:21:26 GMT
Hi I have a Thorens TD150 mk2 with the Thorens tonearm with the spherical counter weight. I also have an original ADC hesdshell and a Linn Basik lvv tonearm headshell both standard SME fit. I will check that the connection and alignment are ok with the Thorens arm and let you know. Brilliant thank you, I'm really interested in this TT and would appreciate any help with this
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Post by dsjr on Mar 19, 2018 8:58:51 GMT
The Thorens shell has long pins coming out the back from memory. The Ortofon/SME shell has studs on the rear, acting on sprung contacts in the tonearm socket.
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tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 19, 2018 9:01:05 GMT
The Thorens shell has long pins coming out the back from memory. The Ortofon/SME shell has studs on the rear, acting on sprung contacts in the tonearm socket. This is my current headshell
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tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 19, 2018 9:02:28 GMT
The Thorens shell has long pins coming out the back from memory. The Ortofon/SME shell has studs on the rear, acting on sprung contacts in the tonearm socket. This is my current headshell This is a Marantz with longer pins
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 19, 2018 13:58:22 GMT
Google image search on the arm model no. will show you the pins are longer and I seem to remember the diameter of the part they emerge from is different to the SME pattern too.
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Post by dsjr on Mar 19, 2018 14:31:41 GMT
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Post by gariboldi2012 on Mar 19, 2018 21:51:29 GMT
Hi I have checked and as others have already indicated the Thorens hesdshell is not compatible with the SME type.
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tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 19, 2018 21:53:54 GMT
Hi I have checked and as others have already indicated the Thorens hesdshell is not compatible with the SME type. Thanks for that really appreciate your help guys
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Post by gariboldi2012 on Mar 19, 2018 22:25:33 GMT
Hi again, were you specifically wanting to use the original tonearm? I have used both a Logic Datum a late issue MK1 and a Grace G707II tonearm with a MK1 TD150. Both combinations work very well. The Grace/Thorens combination is in regular use by another member of my family and sounds fabulous. The Thorens arm board can be changed quite easily if you are happy to disconnect the arm lift cable and the output cables.
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 19, 2018 22:46:25 GMT
Well, yes, the TD150 is a great TT and will happily host a very good quality arm.
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tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 26, 2018 21:15:12 GMT
I ended up dodging a bullet tanks to the hell from you lot. The turntable had no lid or headshell and after pricing up the pair it looked a very expensive deal.
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 26, 2018 22:05:49 GMT
Glad it worked out for the best. Are there any other options on the horizon?
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tonedeaf
Rank: Trio
Oldies are Goldies
Posts: 168
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Post by tonedeaf on Mar 27, 2018 6:01:59 GMT
Glad it worked out for the best. Are there any other options on the horizon? No not seen anything that is going to be cost effective. I've still got my Ariston for playing Vinyl but would like to try a Thorens when one becomes available at a reasonable price and has all its parts.
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