Thorens TD 147 turntable and new cartridge

[Braxus]

I'm wanting to replace the cartridge on one of these tables and I'm
wondering if the Sumiko Blue Point unit is a good match for this table? I
realize the tone arm is not the best on these old players, but its what I've
got at the moment.

Also does anyone know a good technician in Canada that may have parts for
these old Thorens in case I should need to send it in? I'm thinking of
bearings, etc. I may also want to get the RCA cables replaced. If possible I
may think about replacing the arm too to something like a Rega unit. I'm
trying to keep within a budget so no exotic parts are being looked for.

I'm also wondering what happened to all the old parts that Thorens had when
they went into bankrupcy? Were they sold off or scrapped? The new Thorens
mentions they do not have parts for the older models anymore and will no
longer support them.

[Jenn]

Post by Braxus
I'm wanting to replace the cartridge on one of these tables and I'm
wondering if the Sumiko Blue Point unit is a good match for this table? I
realize the tone arm is not the best on these old players, but its what I've
got at the moment.
Also does anyone know a good technician in Canada that may have parts for
these old Thorens in case I should need to send it in? I'm thinking of
bearings, etc. I may also want to get the RCA cables replaced. If possible I
may think about replacing the arm too to something like a Rega unit. I'm
trying to keep within a budget so no exotic parts are being looked for.

The arm is questionable on the 147, IMO. The Blue Point (as opposed to
the BP Special) is not well thought of at its price point these days,
with similarly priced cartridges by Clearaudio and other sounding better
in many people's opinion. You might think about saving for a used Rega
P2 or P3 with the Rega arm. Of course, your ears are the final judges,
so listen for yourself :-)

Post by Braxus
I'm also wondering what happened to all the old parts that Thorens had when
they went into bankrupcy? Were they sold off or scrapped? The new Thorens
mentions they do not have parts for the older models anymore and will no
longer support them.

[Braxus]

Post by Jenn
The arm is questionable on the 147, IMO.

It does work for adjustments I know that. I never did find out what weak
points people had with the TP 16 arms.

The Blue Point (as opposed to

Post by Jenn
the BP Special) is not well thought of at its price point these days,
with similarly priced cartridges by Clearaudio and other sounding better
in many people's opinion.

Any suggestions? The Blue Point is a high output MC cartridge for $300
Canadian dollars. The Clearaudio ones you suggest start with the Sigma which
lists for well over $1300 US. Thats quite a bit a difference in price. What
moving coil cartridges can you suggest in the lower price range? I don't
have a phono preamp that does MC at this time (that's in the future), so I'd
need something high output.


You might think about saving for a used Rega

Post by Jenn
P2 or P3 with the Rega arm. Of course, your ears are the final judges,
so listen for yourself :-)

Post by Braxus
I'm also wondering what happened to all the old parts that Thorens had when
they went into bankrupcy? Were they sold off or scrapped? The new Thorens
mentions they do not have parts for the older models anymore and will no
longer support them.

[Jenn]

Post by Braxus

Post by Jenn
The arm is questionable on the 147, IMO.

It does work for adjustments I know that. I never did find out what weak
points people had with the TP 16 arms.

In my experience, the arms seem to ring quite a bit. They sound better
when damping is added, IMO.

Post by Braxus
The Blue Point (as opposed to

Post by Jenn
the BP Special) is not well thought of at its price point these days,
with similarly priced cartridges by Clearaudio and other sounding better
in many people's opinion.

Any suggestions? The Blue Point is a high output MC cartridge for $300
Canadian dollars. The Clearaudio ones you suggest start with the Sigma which
lists for well over $1300 US. Thats quite a bit a difference in price. What
moving coil cartridges can you suggest in the lower price range? I don't
have a phono preamp that does MC at this time (that's in the future), so I'd
need something high output.

While I think that some expensive, low output MC cartridges sound great,
good MMs sound better, as a whole, than inexpensive, high output MCs.
Give a listen to the Grado Red, the Clearaudio line, etc.

[brooks44]

i would suggest the shelter like of cartridges. they make a relatively
inexpensive cartridge and i would submit that the least expensive shelter is
a much better listen that the sumiko blue point or special. both are very
bright.
brooks

Post by Braxus
I'm wanting to replace the cartridge on one of these tables and I'm
wondering if the Sumiko Blue Point unit is a good match for this table? I
realize the tone arm is not the best on these old players, but its what I've
got at the moment.
Also does anyone know a good technician in Canada that may have parts for
these old Thorens in case I should need to send it in? I'm thinking of
bearings, etc. I may also want to get the RCA cables replaced. If possible I
may think about replacing the arm too to something like a Rega unit. I'm
trying to keep within a budget so no exotic parts are being looked for.
I'm also wondering what happened to all the old parts that Thorens had when
they went into bankrupcy? Were they sold off or scrapped? The new Thorens
mentions they do not have parts for the older models anymore and will no
longer support them.