Need Help Aligning Thorens TD-145

[Uncle Hippie]

Hi all,

I am trying to install a Stanton 681eee onto my Thorens TD-145 w/original TP16 tonearm. For some reason i cannot get it alighned properly w/ the ARC Thorens Baerwald protracter here. I made sure that i printed it out at the correct length and i measured it w/a ruler. However, i was able to align the cart w/ the Stupid protracter here. Am i ok using this protracter instead of the thorens protracter?

[Alec124c41]

Whatever works. The "Stupid" is good.
Does it sound good to you?

Cheers,
Alec

[LousyTourist]

my understanding is that if you can correctly align the tonearm with the protractor, you're golden. Some tonearms will only allow one type of protractor or another, and attempts to use the wrong one will result in not being successful in getting it to correctly align.

So in other words, if you were able to align using that protractor, you're done.

[Uncle Hippie]

Thanks, guys. I got it up and running last nite. It is aligned with both the Baerwald and Stevenson protractors, and it sounds great. Now, I just need to find a new dust cover for it. I have the black clips that go on the back, but I have no cover.

[Bob in STL]

Thanks, guys. I got it up and running last nite. It is aligned with both the Baerwald and Stevenson protractors, and it sounds great. Now, I just need to find a new dust cover for it. I have the black clips that go on the back, but I have no cover.

Hmmm? Aligned with both? The specs are different?

Try the Stevenson arc protractor instead of Baerwald.

My TD165 has a sme 3009 tone arm. I can align it exactly to the Stevenson arc.

Older decks seem to be more compatible with Stevenson.

You will be happy with the result.

Cheers, Bob.

[Uncle Hippie]

Hi Bob,

Yes, it lines up perfectly with both of the protractors that I downloaded here. They both were printed to scale (18 cm / 180 mm). Is it supposed to be impossible to get one's cart to line up with the grids on both protractors? I had to move the paper when I lifted the tonearm off of each grid, but this is normal, right?

I have only played a couple records, but everything sounds perfect. I have an Audio Research preamp which allows me to hear sound out of either L or R channels, as well as mono. The channel separation sounds good...the volume comes out of both channels equally. I am also not hearing any distortion. I hope I am not destroying my records! So far, I have played some a stereo ECM LP (Ralph Towner's 'Solstice') and a mono Riverside LP (Philly Joe Jones' 'Big Band Sounds').

[Alec124c41]

If it sounds good, the alignment must be "close enough for rock 'n' roll."

Cheers,
Alec

[Bob in STL]

Hi Bob,

Yes, it lines up perfectly with both of the protractors that I downloaded here. They both were printed to scale (18 cm / 180 mm). Is it supposed to be impossible to get one's cart to line up with the grids on both protractors? I had to move the paper when I lifted the tonearm off of each grid, but this is normal, right?

I have only played a couple records, but everything sounds perfect. I have an Audio Research preamp which allows me to hear sound out of either L or R channels, as well as mono. The channel separation sounds good...the volume comes out of both channels equally. I am also not hearing any distortion. I hope I am not destroying my records! So far, I have played some a stereo ECM LP (Ralph Towner's 'Solstice') and a mono Riverside LP (Philly Joe Jones' 'Big Band Sounds').

OK, I see now. You used the simple protractors where you move the paper and align to the grids. Now that you clarified that point I agree that you can indeed get the cartridge aligned in the grid boxes.

In the future, if you want to align to the arc (platter position held constant) then use the Stevenson for your Thorens. I have been down that road.

Sounds to me like you have it. If it sounds good then have fun!