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For speed control, the strobe on the underside of the plate can be observed in 50-hertz light through the prism. A ruby bearing keeps the friction low.Īnother, literal "analogy" to the large model is the prism attached in the front of the platter – the latter one weighing 3.5 kilograms and made of aluminum. This disappears through a small hole under the top platter. Anti-skating is adjusted via a small arm on the arm base, whichis pulled by a weight attached to a thread.
THORENS TURNTABLE WITH SME TONEARM PLUS
It stylishly reproduces the look of the EMT tonearm used in studios and by demanding fans back then – from the J-shaped arm for the necessary cranking, including the typical SME quick release at the front for a quick change of pickups, to the small switch on the bearing for adjusting the tracking force by spring balancer, plus the scale. This motorized lift, buzzing quietly, raises and lowers the tonearm, which is thus an integral part of the TD124DD.
![thorens turntable with sme tonearm thorens turntable with sme tonearm](https://vinylnirvana.com/wp-content/uploads/DSCN1317-600x450.jpg)
On the right side is the lift, which we already know from the TD1601, reviewed here. On the left hand side is the drop-shaped speed selector switch, which no longer has 78 rpm, probably not a problem for most listeners – shellac records have been niche for a long time now. The wooden frame, now with rounded corners, still presents a die-cast aluminum plate with drive and tonearm, still decoupled by four height-adjustable "rubber mushrooms" with the original viscosity. If it's in top notch condition and the price is the same as the others this might be the best of the bunch.As before, the Single-Puck is Integrated into the Platter
![thorens turntable with sme tonearm thorens turntable with sme tonearm](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/da/05/a3/da05a3b480b63b65115aadad747ae479.jpg)
But as with all things analog this is a very personal decision. I can see someone taking the trouble for a TD125 or TD126, not so much with a TD115. Personally I'm weary of electronics as there's not much to do when they break and it can be a nightmare to repair, find the right parts, etc. It's as big as their TD126, has extensive use of electronics such as speed control etc, but it's also made of a lot of plastic and a lower grade tonearm to keep costs down. It's from the 70's when Thorens was still promoting their TOTL TD126 and their mid-priced TD160, but they wanted to stay competitive with the new electronic tables so they introduced a mid-priced "mini TD126". Get this one if you're a hipster who doesn't want to have the same as everybody else. Thorens TD115 - this is the true Black sheep. There isn't much modding potential in a TD320, but in stock form it should be as good as (or better) than the TD160. So if the TD318 mki or mkii are cheaper than the TD160/145, and if you're looking for an easy, set and forget table, I say go for it. Having said that, they are still really good tables and a much better buy than many tables from the 80's that seem to go for 150-200€ these days. Those models are from Thorens' declining years, they're not as well built, make more use of plastic and cheaper parts and don't have as sophisticated mechanisms as the former models. The TD318 is the semi-automatic version of the TD320. Google "modded Thorens" or check out the "Pictures of your Thorens" thread here if you want to see what the buzz is all about.
THORENS TURNTABLE WITH SME TONEARM UPGRADE
And it's cheap and easy to modify, too, so it's a perfect candidate to upgrade as funds allow and get an amazing table for not too much money. It's old, probably needs a bit of maintenance and it's kind of fiddly to set up, but once it's up and running it will sound better than most tables out there and will last you a lifetime. The TD160/145 is one of the highly sought-after classic Thorens models. If the TD160 is cheaper than the TD145 (or if you're planning of swapping the tonearm) then pick the TD160. The TD145 isn't as well-known as the TD160 so should be available for a bit less than the TD160, but it's actually a better version (back then automatic functions were a big plus).