Hello everyone,
I'm new here and dipping my toes i the DIY pool. I have a Thorens TD150 Mkii that was in great working order. The other day I was spinning a record and the drive shaft off the motor started squealling. First question is what would be the most common source of this sound? Bearing? Would it be best to look for one of these motors? So now that I'm into repairing I'm thinking of doing a total overhaul.
I'm thinking of replacing the tone arm with a Jelco SA-370 H or SME 3009 s2 Imp thoughts on this? The Jelco because a friend of my fathers offered me one for a labour trade. The SME because that seems to be the go to arm for these TT's
New arm board Maple I'm thinking as I have some really nice 1 inch maple flooring that I could cut and plane to thorens dimensions.
I'm also thinking of a new plinth once again I'm thining Maple as I have some nice material hanging around.
I'll top it off with a new Cart but that will take some more investigating.
My Amp is a Restored Mapleshade Scott 222C and I have Totem model 1 speakers.
I'm new here and dipping my toes i the DIY pool. I have a Thorens TD150 Mkii that was in great working order. The other day I was spinning a record and the drive shaft off the motor started squealling. First question is what would be the most common source of this sound? Bearing? Would it be best to look for one of these motors? So now that I'm into repairing I'm thinking of doing a total overhaul.
I'm thinking of replacing the tone arm with a Jelco SA-370 H or SME 3009 s2 Imp thoughts on this? The Jelco because a friend of my fathers offered me one for a labour trade. The SME because that seems to be the go to arm for these TT's
New arm board Maple I'm thinking as I have some really nice 1 inch maple flooring that I could cut and plane to thorens dimensions.
I'm also thinking of a new plinth once again I'm thining Maple as I have some nice material hanging around.
I'll top it off with a new Cart but that will take some more investigating.
My Amp is a Restored Mapleshade Scott 222C and I have Totem model 1 speakers.
Hi there.
I've worked on a good number of these Thorens tables. A motor squeal may be remedied by lubrication as long as the bearings aren't worn out. Machine oil does the trick here (use the same thing you're using in the platter bearing).
If you'd like me to work on this for you please send a private message and we can make arrangements.
Cheers.
I've worked on a good number of these Thorens tables. A motor squeal may be remedied by lubrication as long as the bearings aren't worn out. Machine oil does the trick here (use the same thing you're using in the platter bearing).
If you'd like me to work on this for you please send a private message and we can make arrangements.
Cheers.
The lube job did wonders along with re adjusting the counter weights. My next DIY question is I've always wondered about the anti skate weight and how to properly adjust that any ideas here?
The basic rule for anti-skate is that the dials are graduated based on vertical tracking force. If you have 2g of force you set the anti-skate to 2 for example.
There are of course variations on the theme!
A recommended place to search would be on Vinyl Engine:
Vinyl Engine | The Home of the Turntable
Here you can find the data pertaining to most of the Thorens tables and arms (and many aftermarket arms). There should be instructions available which refer to your specific setup.
Cheers.
There are of course variations on the theme!
A recommended place to search would be on Vinyl Engine:
Vinyl Engine | The Home of the Turntable
Here you can find the data pertaining to most of the Thorens tables and arms (and many aftermarket arms). There should be instructions available which refer to your specific setup.
Cheers.
I'm thinking of replacing the tone arm with a Jelco SA-370 H or SME 3009 s2 Imp thoughts on this? The Jelco because a friend of my fathers offered me one for a labour trade.
Grab the Jelco, it's a good arm. I have a 370H on my LP12.

jeff
Yeah I've been over there at vinyl engine helpful site. They refer to a test record to set anti skate. I don't have one and was wondering about a manual approach. I think the jelco due to the fact it's easy compared to trying to out bid someone on flea bay.
Grab the Jelco, it's a good arm. I have a 370H on my LP12.
jeff
What cartridge are you using?
If you have the stock arm on the table the user's manual should say everything about adjustments (shouldn't require a record). I don't remember off the top of my head the adjustment instructions for the Thorens arm unfortunately.
What cartridge are you using?
My favorite is the Audio Technica AT33PTG.
jeff
My favorite is the Audio Technica AT33PTG.
jeff
Hmmm looks like you could mount that on a Chop stick with a tractor hub for a tt and it'd still sound good. Lol.
Hmmm looks like you could mount that on a Chop stick with a tractor hub for a tt and it'd still sound good. Lol.
Hahahaha! I've never heard it put quite that way before.🙂
jeff
Get a record with a blank side. Play with the anti skate weight until the arm no longer tracks in or out, but stays where you put it. Works like a charm.
150mk2 has a wee weight on a bit of fishing line as anti skate.
No dials .. fairly obvious, if one has actually ever seen a TD150.
Set the drop wire into the first groove (closest to where the arm mounts) then Never Again give a second thought.
Much maligned oem Arm is actually quite a good one.
Despite Internet 'wisdom' 😉
Assuming it's healthy and correctly set up of course.
A Stylus Change will give a significantly larger sound upgrade than an alternate Tone arm contraption IMO
Your choice of course.
No dials .. fairly obvious, if one has actually ever seen a TD150.
Set the drop wire into the first groove (closest to where the arm mounts) then Never Again give a second thought.
Much maligned oem Arm is actually quite a good one.
Despite Internet 'wisdom' 😉
Assuming it's healthy and correctly set up of course.
A Stylus Change will give a significantly larger sound upgrade than an alternate Tone arm contraption IMO
Your choice of course.
I ended up using an Ariston arm on mine. Works well. The original arm was fine, but i wanted an arm with gimbal bearings. Like Bare said, choice is yours.
Setting anti skate is simple though using the method i described. You can see right away if you have it right or not.
Setting anti skate is simple though using the method i described. You can see right away if you have it right or not.
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