Hello,
I am having an issue with my Thorens 160 (TP-16 arm). I am currently running a AT110E cartridge and it sounds ok on most records however...when I am playing a brand new record I keep getting excessive distortion of vocals when they become loud. This also occurs on jazz albums with loud brass playing.
What would this be related to?
Could it be the stylus? Or could the cartridge be a bust?
Could anyone who has a great cartridge on their Thorens 160 (TP-16 arm) let me know what it is.
Thanks!
I am having an issue with my Thorens 160 (TP-16 arm). I am currently running a AT110E cartridge and it sounds ok on most records however...when I am playing a brand new record I keep getting excessive distortion of vocals when they become loud. This also occurs on jazz albums with loud brass playing.
What would this be related to?
Could it be the stylus? Or could the cartridge be a bust?
Could anyone who has a great cartridge on their Thorens 160 (TP-16 arm) let me know what it is.
Thanks!
Hi,
The obvious 'common denominator' in your comments if I understand this correctly here, seems to be that this problem only occurs when the *recording* is "loud", as you put it. i.e. "loud vocals" and "loud brass".
I assume this is not the same as when you are playing all music 'loudly', but merely when there are heavily modulated (or 'loud') passages actually on the recordings.
If this assumption is correct, this would immediately suggest to me that there is some overloading somewhere in the chain, and most probably at the pre-amp's input. The output of this cartridge could be a bit high for the pre-amp's input capability, and this could be checked out by reducing the level by way of a simple resistive attenuator between the cartridge and pre-amp.
Ready-made plug-in RCA attenuators are commercially available (at least in the UK) and if there are no other problems at any time when playing records which might suggest a cartridge fault/excessive stylus wear, I would try out this reduction in signal from your cartridge as a first step.
If the problem is due to mistracking on heavily modulated passages, this should improve with slightly higher tracking forces, so it would be worth trying this first.
Regards,
The obvious 'common denominator' in your comments if I understand this correctly here, seems to be that this problem only occurs when the *recording* is "loud", as you put it. i.e. "loud vocals" and "loud brass".
I assume this is not the same as when you are playing all music 'loudly', but merely when there are heavily modulated (or 'loud') passages actually on the recordings.
If this assumption is correct, this would immediately suggest to me that there is some overloading somewhere in the chain, and most probably at the pre-amp's input. The output of this cartridge could be a bit high for the pre-amp's input capability, and this could be checked out by reducing the level by way of a simple resistive attenuator between the cartridge and pre-amp.
Ready-made plug-in RCA attenuators are commercially available (at least in the UK) and if there are no other problems at any time when playing records which might suggest a cartridge fault/excessive stylus wear, I would try out this reduction in signal from your cartridge as a first step.
If the problem is due to mistracking on heavily modulated passages, this should improve with slightly higher tracking forces, so it would be worth trying this first.
Regards,
Fixed - thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help all,
I check the VTF - aka increased it...with no change in the distortion.
Realigned the cartridge and such with no result.
Then I decided to take a walk to my local hi fi audio shop. Talk to a few people and they thought as I...the cartridge/stylus was the problem - probably degraded or worn out.
I ended up purchasing a new cartridge...and voila...sonic bliss. The cartridge i got was a Nagaoka MP-11 (new stock)...and does this thing match up well with the TP-16 arm! I am astounded with the improvement in sound....I find it to be much more musical than my old AT110E.
Anyway, thanks for your advice and happy spinning.
Thanks for the help all,
I check the VTF - aka increased it...with no change in the distortion.
Realigned the cartridge and such with no result.
Then I decided to take a walk to my local hi fi audio shop. Talk to a few people and they thought as I...the cartridge/stylus was the problem - probably degraded or worn out.
I ended up purchasing a new cartridge...and voila...sonic bliss. The cartridge i got was a Nagaoka MP-11 (new stock)...and does this thing match up well with the TP-16 arm! I am astounded with the improvement in sound....I find it to be much more musical than my old AT110E.
Anyway, thanks for your advice and happy spinning.
Hi I recently acquired on thorens td 160 and have a question,
I would like to align the cartrige but never did it. Found a lot of info on the net but I seem not to be able to understand how I can move the cartridge in the thorens headshell. So I wanted to ask is it posible (the arm is original tp16 I guess) to move it and how. And if there is a "pictured" procedure somwhere on the net? I never turned my thorens upside down (I will have to do it soon to install beter chinch connectors and power cord) so I am not really sure how it is done.
Thanks in advance,
Pred
PS
I have test record and protactor and now how to proceed after (in theory at least
)
I would like to align the cartrige but never did it. Found a lot of info on the net but I seem not to be able to understand how I can move the cartridge in the thorens headshell. So I wanted to ask is it posible (the arm is original tp16 I guess) to move it and how. And if there is a "pictured" procedure somwhere on the net? I never turned my thorens upside down (I will have to do it soon to install beter chinch connectors and power cord) so I am not really sure how it is done.
Thanks in advance,
Pred
PS
I have test record and protactor and now how to proceed after (in theory at least
)
Headshell adjustment
If you look at the headshell with the cartridge not attached the metal piece the screws for the cartridge attach to is free floating and with a bit of pressure will move forwards or back. Also, lateral adjustment so the cartridge is square can be achieved by leaving the screws untightened (a little bit) and ajusting with a little twist o the cartridge....make sure to not touch the stylus (it is easy to hit it and ruin the cartridge) - when finished adjusting tighten up the screws
I suggest using a protractor to assist with alignment.
Take a look at the Analog Depot online....a great resource it has a whole section about TD 160's.
Good luck.
If you look at the headshell with the cartridge not attached the metal piece the screws for the cartridge attach to is free floating and with a bit of pressure will move forwards or back. Also, lateral adjustment so the cartridge is square can be achieved by leaving the screws untightened (a little bit) and ajusting with a little twist o the cartridge....make sure to not touch the stylus (it is easy to hit it and ruin the cartridge) - when finished adjusting tighten up the screws
I suggest using a protractor to assist with alignment.
Take a look at the Analog Depot online....a great resource it has a whole section about TD 160's.
Good luck.
new problem
I have tried other records now, other than brand new (newly pressed) and I am getting alot of surface noise....aka drag sound (hrrrrrrrrr) constantly during the play of the used records. Will this go away when the cartridge breaks in? These records playing fairly quietly with my AT110E but not the Nagaoka MP11.
Any advice?
Thanks.
I have tried other records now, other than brand new (newly pressed) and I am getting alot of surface noise....aka drag sound (hrrrrrrrrr) constantly during the play of the used records. Will this go away when the cartridge breaks in? These records playing fairly quietly with my AT110E but not the Nagaoka MP11.
Any advice?
Thanks.
Here is the whole situation.
I am playing records which are used that were not played with the AT110E. Some are records I used with this cartridge.
I am wondering if my set up is ok.. I am using a tracking weight of 2.0 gms. Anti-skate is 1.5
I balanced the arm to the level of the record (free float) prior to setting the tracking weight. I think all should be in the ball park. I also used a protractor to align the cartridge. The arm sits parallel to the table, record surface, when playing.
Still this noise....even when my amplifier is only turned to 1/4 volume. The sound is like hearing the cartridge moving along in the groove. Dull and constant. Not audible when music is very loud.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I am playing records which are used that were not played with the AT110E. Some are records I used with this cartridge.
I am wondering if my set up is ok.. I am using a tracking weight of 2.0 gms. Anti-skate is 1.5
I balanced the arm to the level of the record (free float) prior to setting the tracking weight. I think all should be in the ball park. I also used a protractor to align the cartridge. The arm sits parallel to the table, record surface, when playing.
Still this noise....even when my amplifier is only turned to 1/4 volume. The sound is like hearing the cartridge moving along in the groove. Dull and constant. Not audible when music is very loud.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Re: Fixed - thanks for the help!
so anyway, what happened between sonic bliss and now?
You need to trouble shoot your system to sort out where the problem may be. Start with known good preamp and newest/bestest disc. Maybe take it to the shop where you bought your new cart to help you align it?
thorens309 said:
so anyway, what happened between sonic bliss and now?
You need to trouble shoot your system to sort out where the problem may be. Start with known good preamp and newest/bestest disc. Maybe take it to the shop where you bought your new cart to help you align it?
Oh the music sounded fine, just this loud surface noise on some records. I went back over everything and decided to try turning the cartridge a little (maybe 0.5 mm), it was a little bit off from the protractor. That was IT! I also slightly increased the anti-skate.
No more trouble....Thanks so everyone for the help, and for putting up with a cartridge installation newbie.
No more trouble....Thanks so everyone for the help, and for putting up with a cartridge installation newbie.
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