New arm for a Thorens TD190?

2blue · member Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Norway

I can get a TD190 for a very reasonable price, a trade off really. However every thing isn't right. The turntable is a bit slow, just enough to be noticeable when playing. When it was put a way a few years ago it appearantly worked fine, now it doesn't. It could be just regular check-up, new belt, a bit of oil?
Is this a good enough model to invest in upgrading the tonearm? I cannot find much info on this model when searching the web. A new tonearm will cost more than the entire deck when it was new, but it might be worth it if the motor and construction is fairly good.

The advantage with this model is the 78 speed. I have just won a big collection of 78 records at an auction, and I want to listen to them out on a good system.

2blue · member Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Norway

Now I have the turntable, and it plays better with a new belt. From what I read on the web this was the cheapest model Thorens had for several years, but I cannot find any info if it is worth replacing the original tonearm perhaps with a Rega. The original tonearm has a very clean sound with the Ortofon OM30, surprisingly so, even worn records sound good. The sound is perhaps a bit "narrow" and the moving coil cartridge I have did not sound any good on it at all. Right now think I can afford a reasonably good tonearm, but not the best turntable, and the TD-190 has 78 r.p.m.

Alec124c41 · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:23 am Post subject:

If you put a Rega on it, you can move it on to the next turntable, replace the original arm, and sell the 190, as long as mounting the Rega does not preclude that.

Cheers,
Alec

rkay5 · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:41 am Post subject:

I wouldn't spend the money on the TD190 I'd sale and buy a TD150 or TD160 .To me a TD190 isn't really a Thorens.
Robert
_________________
Robert
Thorens TD150mkII/Sole Sub-Chassis/Mose/Hercules II psu/AudioQuest PT7/Denon DL160 Hi output Moving Coil Cartridge

lini · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:39 am Post subject:

Robert: Of course it's not a real Thorens - the TD190 is just a very slightly cosmetically modified Dual CS455-1...

2blue: Apart from having quite a few doubts that it would fit, I don't think it makes much sense to try mounting a Rega arm on a TD190/CS455-1 anyway - especially as the 3rd generation ULM arm on it isn't bad at all and imo is already better quality than the drive. You only have to consider that it's a very light arm and choose cartridges accordingly - but the OM30 already is a pretty good choice anyway.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

2blue · member Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Norway

OK so I'll give up an upgrade for the TD190. Turntables are really expensive; I might go for a new TD 295 MKIII, the others cost way too much. A Rega P5 might be the best buy for a new turntable here right now.

Hard to find good used ones.

kandersen · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject:

Hei 2blue

I'd go looking for a Lenco L70/L75 for those 78's if I were you. I got lucky and found one at Fretex for 100 NKR a while ago. It looks fairly beaten, but it's dead silent and in great technical shape, so when I get my lazy a... around to it and put a new plinth on it it's gonna be great!

There's plenty of good TT's to get even in our little country, you just have to keep your eyes open. Back in May I picked up an old Thorens TD-150 for 10 NKR at a flea market, it is now my main table, sporting an RB-251 arm and it's great Smile

Good luck in your hunt!

2blue · member Joined: 05 Nov 2009 Posts: 23 Location: Norway

Thanks for the tip !

I've read about several who have rebuilt old Lenco turntables and gotten surprisingly good results. I'm afraid I'm not in their league, this is first time I plan to do more that just buy a new cartridge Smile

If I can't fin that old Garrard RC88 I just might go for an old Lenco. I am always so impressed when they get these old turntables to compare favorably to the Rega P5 or sometimes a GyroDec.