I have a Thorens TD320 Mk ii that I picked up recently. TP90 tonearm, TP95 headshell. I was trying to mount a Grace F9 with a SoundSmith stylus on it. I am using a Dennessen Soundtractor for alignment (bought in the '80s/'90s) and am running into a problem where I can't get the cartridge back quite far enough. It is very close. I believe I am using M2.5 mounting hardware and was considering switching to M2 hardware, which might get me about 0.25mm more travel. I'd prefer not having to file out the slots slightly, but I guess if that is what it takes, so be it.
Any ideas or thoughts? Thanks!
Any ideas or thoughts? Thanks!
Other than extending the headshell slots further back with a Dremel tool, you could
notch out the mounting bolts slightly where they pass the surface of the headshell.
It wouldn't take much to give at least 1mm extra movement backward.
But extending the slots backward is probably the best option, if you do a nice job and
keep the surface flat and burr free on both sides.
notch out the mounting bolts slightly where they pass the surface of the headshell.
It wouldn't take much to give at least 1mm extra movement backward.
But extending the slots backward is probably the best option, if you do a nice job and
keep the surface flat and burr free on both sides.
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My experience with Thorens Tone arms is they do not allow enough movement especially if you are aiming for Baerwald alignment. Grit your teeth and file it as you say it isn't much. 2mm screws do not give a lot of grip and I found it difficult to keep the cartridge square in the shell. The other alternative is to look for a spare headshell, I found someone on eBay 3D printing them and I didn't feel so guilty about filing that one.