Thorens TD-319

[FaZ72]

Hello,

In the last months i have invested a lot in my audio systen. Now i feel it is time to adventure in the world of vinyl. I don't want to spend a to much money in the begining since i possess about 800 CDs and almost no vinyl at all, but i'd like to have a sound quality at last comparable to my digital setup (Audio Alchemy DDS Pro and Meridian 566).
I posess a Thorens TD-319 and i connected it one time but with unsatisfactory results. I didn' investigate futher, and the unit is in Italy now (i live in Holland).

My question is simple: is it worth tweaking this Thorens, or is it a beter idea to start buying a different turntable?

Thanks,
Fabio

[sreten]

Thats a very high quality requirement.

I'm not familiar with the 319, is it similar to the 320 ?

If so I'd suggest tweaking will not be enough.

sreten.

[FaZ72]

All i can remember is that it has a mobile platform installed on springs.
About the quality, i realy don't have much experience with vinyl, so i don't know exactly what to expect. I've noticed that a lot of ealy CD releases from analog recordings sound realy bad on my now much more revealing system. I'd like their vinyl version to sound ad last significantly beter.

[sreten]

I've found the user manual :

http://www.theanalogdept.com/images/...anfrontweb.jpg


http://www.theanalogdept.com/td3xxsvc.htm

What was unsatisfactory when you tried it ?

I don't know about the TP21 arm, looks reasonable enough.

No reason to me why it can't tweaked for very pleasant noises,
but not to the standard IMO to equal a good CD player.

Good enough though for a good LP to easily beat a poor CD.

sreten.

[Holger Barske]

As far as I know there has never been a model called "TD 319".
You may have a look here, perhaps you find your turntable (sorry, German only).
If your TT turns out to be a TD 320, you should definitely keep it.

[sreten]

The TD319 is the autostop version of the TD318.

The TD3I8 has a plastic subplatter and a different arm
to the TD320, niether being particular issues IMO.

sreten.

[Holger Barske]

The TD 318 already had auto stop.
The TD 320 has been the top model of the range, and it was far superior to the TD 318, especially the tonearm.

[sreten]

Originally posted by HBarske
The TD 318 already had auto stop.

Sorry you are quite correct, I got the models confused.

There does not appear to be a 319, its a 316 perhaps ?

Originally posted by HBarske
The TD 320 has been the top model of the range, and it was far superior to the TD 318, especially the tonearm.

On inspection I can't see why the more expensive arm would
necessarily sound much better than the cheaper arm, but I
have no personal experience of more recent Thorens arms.

sreten.

[FaZ72]

Hello,

I've let somebody check the model of the turntabel. It's a TD318 with a Denon DL-300 cardrige.

Since it didn't sound well, shouldn't i first raplace the cardrige? I'm thinking of a Stanton 681.

What about the tonearm? Since it is inferior to that of the td320 is it a good idea to replace it woth for axample a Rega DB-300?

Other tweak suggestions?

Thanks

[sreten]

I'd go for an Ortofon 520 or 530 over the Stanton every time.

The Audio Technica AT120E/T is also a good choice for the arm,
available from the States around $50.

If your feeling adventurous so is the Walco :
http://www.garage-a-records.com/quadcart.html

The arm doesn't look that bad to me performance wise,
its certainly less expensive than the TP16 arm but there
doesn't look anything fundamentally wrong with it, I
prefer the TP21 headshell clamp (which should be tight)
to the TP16 bayonet armtube arrangements.

A Rega RB250 is far better than both arms, and could be fitted
as long as it doesn't upset the suspension too much, I've a
feeling its quite a bit heavier than the TP21 arm.

http://www.theanalogdept.com/td316_318.htm

You would also lose the autostop function.

IMO properly sited and properly setup, the 318 should work well.

Tweaks I can't suggest as I've never taken one apart.

But check the arm bearings for free play, and use "blutack"
on the main bearing mounting and the arm mounting plate.

sreten.