TD 150/160 Owners – opinions on platter mat, clamps, and spi

[Bob in STL]

Hello,
I have been playing my TD 160 B with a SME 3009 series II (improved) tone arm for about one month. I received it in stock form and with a new M97xE installed. I did all the normal maintenance, adjustments and tuning. It has a quiet motor and bearing, and it sounds very good. I will do incremental upgrades in the future. I am interested in hearing from other (or former) TD 150/160 users to learn and compare information related to platter mats, clamps and weights, etc.

Platter Mat - I made a DYI cork mat and it drastically improved everything about the sound. This was my first upgrade so far. Bass and sound stage improved a lot too. What I love about this upgrade is that records that I thought sounded “just ok” all of a sudden sounded much better. I noticed that the stock mat has an air gap between the record and the mat. I have seen cork mats on the market that elevate the record with cork circles on top of cork. Has anyone tried this mat or made a mat like this? Does the air gap help even more?

Weight – First of all I am not sure weights and clamps are a good idea for this deck and I do not want to damage the bearing. Rather than run out and buy an expensive weight I made one out of a 6 ounce hockey puck to see if it helps. First I did a static check with a record and the puck on the platter. I noted that 6 ounces has a negligible effect on the suspension, the tone arm height adjustment did not need to change when I added the puck. I used grid paper as a horizontal reference to see if my arm remains horizontal to record when the stylus sits on the record and the weight is added. No change was noted. I played records with the puck added and there was some improvement. Not saying the results blew me away like the cork mat did but the bass improved and record noise (reduction) is also improved. Warped records play much better so for now I am staying with the puck. Not very elegant looking but it works. I drilled the hole on the small side so the puck acts like a clamp in that I turn the puck with some slight down force to get it to seat. Does anyone know, will a 6 ounce weight have adverse effects in the long term? I am interested in hear if others use a weight or clamp and what kinds.

Spindle – Just curious here … I have some records that fit very tight on the spindle. I think the tight fit helps the sound and essentially does what the weight/clamp would do. Problem is I have a very difficult time removing some of these tight fitting records. These same records fit much easier on my other TT. Is the Thorens spindle a shade larger in diameter? On the subject of spindle height, it look like a thick mat (like ¼ inch) would prevent the use of a clamp – there is not a lot to grab on to.

Looking forward to hearing your experiences and thoughts.
Thanks, Bob

[dean man jim]

Hello Bob and welcome to the TD 160/ 150 world. These are highly tweakable turntables--I've been experimenting with my TD 150 for about seven years now, and it's still teaching me things If you haven't already explored the pages at theanalogdept.com web site, you'll find a wealth of information about virtually all models of Thorens turntables.

Mats. Your mat preferences might change as you try multiple mats and as you combine mat choice with other changes in your system. It's inexpensive and fun. I made cork, cork with cork spots, cork with foam/cork spots, paper mat with cork spots, diy ringmat, foam/cork spots on the bare platter, and wool felt. I liked all of them better than the stock rubber mat (which isn't bad), and of those I liked the wool felt best. The only commercial mat I tried is the Herbie's Way Excellent mat and that's the one I've stayed with.

LP weight...after experimenting with a weight + most of the mats above I liked the presentation without the weight when using my two favorite mats (woof felt, Herbie's). I don't think the bearing would be damaged by using a weight, but make sure you're using a good quality oil in the bearing well. I'd imagine that whatever wear takes place with the platter bearing over time would escalate with a weight, but I have no idea how much or if it would matter. Never tried a clamp, for the reason you mention.

I've played at least a few thousand LPs on my TD 150 and can't remember running into one that was impossibly tight on the oversized spindle. Not yet anyway. It hasn't been a problem, but it is an occasional annoyance for me...

Hope this helps.
Jim

[Bob in STL]

Hello Bob and welcome to the TD 160/ 150 world. These are highly tweakable turntables--I've been experimenting with my TD 150 for about seven years now, and it's still teaching me things If you haven't already explored the pages at theanalogdept.com web site, you'll find a wealth of information about virtually all models of Thorens turntables.

Mats. Your mat preferences might change as you try multiple mats and as you combine mat choice with other changes in your system. It's inexpensive and fun. I made cork, cork with cork spots, cork with foam/cork spots, paper mat with cork spots, diy ringmat, foam/cork spots on the bare platter, and wool felt. I liked all of them better than the stock rubber mat (which isn't bad), and of those I liked the wool felt best. The only commercial mat I tried is the Herbie's Way Excellent mat and that's the one I've stayed with.

LP weight...after experimenting with a weight + most of the mats above I liked the presentation without the weight when using my two favorite mats (woof felt, Herbie's). I don't think the bearing would be damaged by using a weight, but make sure you're using a good quality oil in the bearing well. I'd imagine that whatever wear takes place with the platter bearing over time would escalate with a weight, but I have no idea how much or if it would matter. Never tried a clamp, for the reason you mention.

I've played at least a few thousand LPs on my TD 150 and can't remember running into one that was impossibly tight on the oversized spindle. Not yet anyway. It hasn't been a problem, but it is an occasional annoyance for me...

Hope this helps.
Jim

Wow that is a lot of mats Jim. Thanks for sharing your observations.

I really have a few records that are so tight that I actually have to put my fingers under the record to lift it off (as in fingers inbetween the platter mat and the vinyl). Then I have to wash that record again.

Several of my records fit tightly so I must have a fatter than normal spindle but I do think the tighter fitting ones sound a little better. I do not have this issue with my other TT.

Oh well, at least it helps the sound

Bob

[G Doggett]

Hi Bob
The Thorens spindle measures 7.2mm with a micrometer while I think most turntables are 7mm.
I have found a few records in my collection are very tight to force onto the spindle of my TD160 so I have carefully openened the central hole up with a tapered reamer.
Ideally it should be a snug fit so you need to be carefull.
Cheers
Graham.

[Bob in STL]

Hi Bob
The Thorens spindle measures 7.2mm with a micrometer while I think most turntables are 7mm.
I have found a few records in my collection are very tight to force onto the spindle of my TD160 so I have carefully openened the central hole up with a tapered reamer.
Ideally it should be a snug fit so you need to be carefull.
Cheers
Graham.

Thank you Graham. I quite a few records that fit very tight and some of them require a bit of work to remove from the spindle.

BTW - I am continually impressed by what I hear when I play this TT. Now that I am playing in a room with a concrete floor ii is so much more enjoyable.

cheers, Bob