Thorens TD160 + Denon DL-103R + Denon AU-300LC + Tannoy Monitor Gold 15"
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- Thorens TD 160 MK1 classic belt driven turntable with Denon DL-103R moving coil cartridge and Denon AU-300LC step up transformer.
The purpose of this video is to demonstrate the look and feel of Thorens TD 160 MK1 turntable and not its sound. To find out more about Thorens TD160 DIY upgrades, please visit my website: audionostalgia....
Speakers: Tannoy Monitor Gold 15" enclosed in home made cabinets. More about this Tannoy GRF DIY project here: audionostalgia....
Amplifier: Yamaha A-S2000
Step Up Transformer: Denon AU-300 LC
Cartridge: Denon DL-103R
Turntable: Thorens TD 160 MK1
Song: Golden Earring - Radar Love
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Tags:
#HiFi #Thorens #VintageSpeakers
To find out more about Thorens TD160 DIY upgrades, please visit my website: audionostalgia.co.uk/thorens-td160-mki-upgrade/.
The purpose of this video is to demonstrate the look and feel of Thorens TD 160 MK1 turntable and not its sound.
I`m happy with my Thorens TD 280 MK IV, bought new in 1998. Since this turntable has been dormant in the original box for many years, it is currently in a very good condition, much to my delight.
Still have my very original Thorens TD-160 from 1974, still great
Wow!
I was 18, 50 years ago, worked in an electrical wholesaler, bought this deck, sme 3009 series two arm , shure v15 type 3.cartridge wish I had it now. that was in Belfast, 1974, IRA blew the shit out of the place, killed 2 firemen.
damn, sorry to hear that. really sad!
Sorry to hear glad u ok! I’m Irish descent
Wow, I know you did this about 7 1/2 year's ago, this was my first high end turntable at the time (early '80s) w/a Ortofon cart (no longer have it) & that was one very clean & quiet turntable. I do have the Denon 103R cart though but haven't heard it to its full potential but you gave me a good idea how it sounds especially on percussion (drums) which I was impressed even though UA-cam does compress it a bit but I did get a very good idea of it's capability. Thanks for posting!
No worries. Good luck with your project!
Love my Td 160, Jelco 550S arm new,this year, GoldNote Donatello Red cartridge . Just a stop the clock cold turntable
I enjoy seeing what other folks utilize in creating their audio system.
I have taken the unusual route of building a Dynaco St 70, with a simple DIY passive pre amp, an Onkyo CD player ( please don't cringe ), and a wonderful pair of JBL L110 speakers.
In the near future I hope to construct some single driver speakers utilizing a pair of Tang band W8-1772 in a MLTW cabinent designed by Bob Brines.
That's the right idea with the Thorens. Mounted on a wall shelf.
Yep. It is quite sensitive to floor vibrations, as most of turntables to be fair.
I didnt know about the amplifier but by the end it is sweet! Thanks nice demo
I have the same TD160 and upgraded the plinth base and added dampening to the chassis and fitted a Grado red cartridge, and I have 3 Rega planer feet also all the old 70s wiring has been replaced and RCA socket fitted to the rear and kettle type power plug. I also have LP12 springs I have spent hours buffing the platter but your one has a better shine then mine, but I do have a spare I am still buffing LOL.
Haha, nice DIY project. I used Autosol on my platter if this is of any help to you.
@@AudioNostalgia I have just ordered some.
Yamaha is exceptionally good. Anyone who doesn't rate them is missing out on one of the best kept secrets.
Agreed Yamaha is a much under valued product sadly, its technically and more importantly audiably with out doubt top rate, maybe because they also make musical instruments and dont over do the usual japanese buttons and switches, i own five peice of Yamaha gear delighted with every bit of gear solid engineering
@@stevebirmingham9650 Indeed!! I recently sold an AS-700 integrated to fund a rotel RB1582mkii and rc1570 upgrade, as the Yamaha alternative (thinking As3000) was too much for me at present. Very happy with what I now have but I suspect as Yamaha devlop more that I may very well come back :)
I'm playing mine through a JVC R-S7 receiver and 4 Yamaha NSF-51 speakers
Hello colleague!
Very nice review, thank you!
I want to give one piece of advice for working with vintage acoustic power take those same years - you will see what will be the difference.
I think you will be surprised that sound.
And even in those devices are very steep phono stages.
Sincerely Alexey.
Siberia Russia.
Hi Alexey,
Thanks for your comment. I've tried vintage amps from the similar years but in all honesty, I prefer new transistor amps.
Regards,
Brast
2A3 or 300B Single-end amp might be a good match with your Tannoy Gold.
IMHO, the polite presentation of MG15, makes them a great match for a transistor amp. I've tried them with valves and I do prefer transistors. But each to their own.
Ale fajowy sprzęcik...może za niedługo będzie taki u mnie w domu...bedzie jazda!
Dzieki. I jak, jest juz taki sprzecik u Ciebie w domu?
Wypas jak na DIY jestem pod wrazeniem! super website , pozdro!
Dzieki! Pozdrawiam.
Love golden earring saw them warm up the who 74 at msg
0:50 I can feel the beat !!! ;)
Great video, awesome system! I love the turntable, and speakers!
Hi-Fi Haven Thank you. I no longer have the speakers, but still have the TT.
Earring forever!
A true music lover...
Awesome Setup, awesome track.
Thank you. Glad you like it.
Hardcore Vinyl God
Very nice play back,This sound is good!!
Thanks! Although I'm surprised you can tell through UA-cam.
Sounds great
I see a young guy who has very tasty rig, and yah know what people, he didn't buy it in a big box store either. Every piece you see is close to the owners age or older, and takes some talent to bring together and make it work as designed. All you haters (roy) should go elsewhere. Nice rig dude. Lovin' the custom tannoy enclosure. That's called re-use people. No need to recycle what outlived the original owners, especially when they were designed to last a lifetime. Kudos.
Thank you for your kind words. I wouldn't necessary say that it takes talent. I just enjoy playing with vintage HiFi :).
Great set up. Ah the days when great turntables didn’t cost the earth. These days you need to spend over $1000 to buy something that isn’t an arm and platter nailed to some veneered chipboard with a motor suspended on an elastic band.
Yeh, you are probably right. But so is the case with many HiFi items from the 70s. They don't make them as they used to... unless you are prepared to pay silly money.
Then again, you have to place things in perspective,
1- in the mid-'70s Thorens was considered the top of the line.
2- I have a Thorens 160C which I purchased new with a Shure V15III in 1976 for $284. Trust me that was a splurge for me at the time.
3- I was driving a '70 Plymouth Barracuda at the time, purchased new in 1969 for $3,000+. Today a Dodge Charger will set you back $40-50K
Good turntables have always cost the earth!
Yep, I actually still have the bills from August 29, 1975. Bought the Thorens TD160 $195 CAD and Shure M91ED for $35. Big bucks at the time. Matched it with a Marantz 2270 @$ 599. Plus Advent loudspeakers $353. Huge investment Still have the Marantz and the Thorens tt but unfortunately during a bender about 15 years ago I dropped/donated the speakers off at a place called Value Village ( a place the less fortunate can find used dishes, clothing, electronics,books, you name it, etc. Clean and sober now but regret tossing those speakers. They had the beveled edge....see them offered on EBay once in a while....going to buy another pair...someday. Rock on.
Hej
Nie wiedziałem że jesteś polakiem, super sprzęt.
Mam zagwozdkę, posiadam tannoye mercury s 1987 i bardzo polubiłem ich i ogólnie dźwięk tannoya.
warto się przesiadać na starsze modele z "DC" ?
Pozdrawiam
Czesc,
Dzieki. Moim zdaniem warto, ale jak wiadomo jest to bardzo subiektywne.
Pozdrowienia!
thorens 160 is a decent turntable with a low mass tonenarm.The denon 103r is decent too butdoes not match because of the low compliance
SO IT IS SAID. I HAVE HAD ONE ON A TD160 FOR TEN YEARS, INTO QUAD. SOUNDS EXCELLENT.NO TRACKING PROBLEMS AT ALL
Thorens TD160 + Denon DL-103R + Denon AU-300LC + Tannoy Monitor Gold 15" is very good! But the amplifier should be changed..
McIntosh c-28 + mc - 2105
How come - have you listen to the very same combo and did not like it?
„should be changed“ LOL the level of arrogance is unbeatable.
Hey I can suggests one guaranteed cheap improvement ditch the mat it creates space underneath for vibration any thick rubber mat is good totally flat
Thanks. I'll give it a go at some point.
you should have choosen a better music to bring out the quality of your setup. but it is still awsome, even if i watch it in the internet;-) im also a lucky owner of the td160 in white. ill pimp it the next months. i ll take a look at your site. thanks for it
All of my videos are here to show the actual equipment (i.e. how it looks & feels) - sound is only a bonus as it is hard to judge quality of anything when you listen to it through UA-cam :).
seems like the 103 is a g8 marriage with the 300lc
У вас "бьет" диск проигрывателя LP очень сильные колебания диска!!! думаю погнут тонвал (
Hello I wanted to ask you for the correction of the VTA between shwll tp60 and phonorivelatore there goes a thickness if you from how many mm. Thanks and congratulations for the combination.
Hi Giovanni. I'm sorry but I no longer have this turntable, and I did not make any notes of the settings.
I have a Yamaha receiver
And am looking at Thorens 145 or 160 would you recommend and what cart? My home system has a denon receiver
昔、レコード盤のうねりをおさえるため、下からエアー吸引をする高級機がありました。
是非、現代の高級機には採用してほしいです。
extra.pozdrawiam.
How did you polish your platter sides? And what feet did you add?
I usually use Autosol. Don't remember what these feet are - I believe they came from a CD player that I recycled.
no classical music records ??
No. I'm afraid I am not a big fan of classical music. There are very few classical compositions that I can actually listen and enjoy.
@@AudioNostalgia Enjoy your music ! the world is in chaos. Be strong !!
@@haihuachen2627 Yes, indeed. Many people don't like staying at home. I actually really enjoy it - having hobbies such as HiFi definitely helps! All the best!
@@AudioNostalgia THIS SORT OF GRUNT MUSIC GIVES NO IDEA OF THE QUALITY OF THE SYSTEM AT ALL.
@@terencefield3204 "The purpose of this video is to demonstrate the look and feel of Thorens TD 160 MK1 turntable and not its sound." This is clearly stated in the video description as well as the comment I pinned. As if UA-cam was an appropriate medium to give you an idea about quality of anything...
Does your amplifier have a built in MC amplifier? I don't see one.
It does, but I use the MM input and Denon AU300LC stepup.
Disappointing music, nice system.
I have the same cartridge and I'm running it through a project phono box ds+. Am I better off using a step up transformer to a normal phono output or just use the mc input on this phono stage?
+TheWretchedWorld dude wut?
If the step up transformator is realy a very high quality tansformer only then you are better off with it ! Three dimensional soundstage and tone are unmatched ....
Good and outstanding quality transformers are very expensive .
Some MC input amplifiers are quite good too , but only the best transformers have the MAGIC ! And nothing equals magic like music.....
If you mean, the mc input on an integrated amp? i can tell you that is a terrible design. Same with high output mc carts. Dunno what the point is of that...
I also have a 103 with td 160 stock with a tube box ds bit one think I don't like is that I need to put 2 spacers under headshell and still it's slanted. how about you is the cartridge still slanting?
Hmm I did not find cartridge slanting? Is you headshell docking socket inside the arm mounted straight?
Sorry don't care for that sound, I think the speakers a begg'in for tube amps?
All of my videos are here to show the actual equipment (i.e. how it looks & feels) - sound is only a bonus as it is hard to judge quality of anything when you listen to it through UA-cam.
I bet to differ - the polite presentation of MG15, makes them a great match for a transistor amp. I've tried them with valves and I do prefer transistors. But each to their own.
Yamaha..!!
I'm interested to learn about your modifications,,if any to the Thorens
I have not done much, but whatever I've done I published on my website:
audionostalgia.co.uk/upgrade_thorens_td160_mki.php
sounds very noisy and tỉed ....!!!
Этот Thorens TD 160 имеет сильное биение (деформацию геометрии) диска. Это видно невооруженным взглядом по вертикальному люфту. Этот аппарат наверное один из последних, когда фирма перестала следить за качеством проигрывателей. В первых выпусках этой модели диск никогда не имел деформаций.
Yes, unfortunately. I'm glad to hear that not all of them are like mine though.
У Yamaha 2000 шикарная мс секция, нафига гнать через транс?
I'm not sure if I understand the question correctly (Google Translate) - are you asking why I use a step-up transformer and use the moving magnet (MM) of the amplifier instead of plugging directly into moving coil (MC) amplifier input?
If I remember correctly, I did this because the output level of the DL103r was too low to work properly with the Yamaha MC input, which is designed for more modern moving coil cartridges with higher output. It may have also been something to do with the input impedance matching.
After following you channel for a couple of years I am still puzzled why you diminish yourself to the mediocrity of Yamaha amplifiers while using one of the best and most expensive Tannoy drivers in your speakers. That just doesn't make sense. You could improve the sound tremendously if you tried something closer to the Tannoy level.
Well, that's you opinion. As a matter of fact, I tried number of different amplifiers, and in a properly organised listening test, neither me nor my friends were able to tell the difference. And when I say properly organised, I'm referring to a blind test, where volume levels of both amplifiers are matched within 0.5dB and where there is a live switch, so you don't have to switch everything off and unplug one and plug the other back in, instead you have a switch, so you can switch between amplifiers instantly while you listening. All the other equipment of course stays the same and I do 10 switches. If 7 times out of 10 I am able to recognise correctly which amplifier is playing, then I conclude that the difference is due to the difference in amplifiers and not due to my own biases.
In my experience, providing that the amplifier is half decent (i.e. 400GBP and more expensive) and has similar topology to the other amp that is being tested, there is no audible difference between them. Yes, I've heard the difference between valve amps and transistors, but not between decent transistor amps.
So to answer your question, I diminish myself to medicority of Yamaha amps because when I compared them with higher end 5,000GBP amps, they did not sound any different. Moreover, Yamaha is a large corporation and you get a lot of value for your money in their equipment (if you look at the quality of components that they use vs the price). The after service is great and in my experience, their equipment is nothing but reliable.
I'm open to challenges, and I am yet to be proven wrong. But until I hear the real difference, I'll stick to what I know and like. Take care.
Okay, fair enough. Surprised to hear that, though. Care to elaborate on what models of amplifiers you audited?
Cambridge Audio Azur 851A
Cambridge Audio Azur 851E + 2x Azur 851W
Linn Kairn Pre Amp + Linn LK2 Power Amp
Marantz PM6005
Sugden A21SE
Sugden Masterclass IA-4
Among others that people brought for testing but I did not make the note of (i think there was some Musical Fidelity gear and Naim).
Hm, okay, all of those I would call good at best. Nothing impressive. I was personally very disapointed with Cambridge 851 models. Them I would call mediocre. Marantz PM6005 is common, shelf model, maybe even below your Yamahas. Marantz can make great stuff, but they come with a price tag. Naim should be pretty good, as well as Musical Fidelity, which I don't know personally. Other than that, nothing special in your list. No wonder you couldn't hear much difference from your yamaha.
disityp Well, lets reverse the question then - have you ever tested amps in a correctly designed test environment (as per my first comment), and if yes, what were these amps and what were your impressions of the differences between them?
Also, the amps I mentioned may be nothing special to you, but there are thousands of people around the globe who swear by them and enjoy them in their systems. Consequently, your ‘special’ isn’t really an objective term. You don’t have to look far to find people who perceive Sugden amplification very special indeed.
Moreover, I feel like that list is a pretty good sample - you have amps ranging from 300gbp to 5,000gbp, a mixture of class a and class b amps. And I am willing to bet that in a not correctly designed test environment, people would be able to “hear” differences between them. My point is that regardless of your opinion of these amplifiers, there should have been an audible difference between them. And yet, in a correctly designed experiment, there wan’t.
Based on your experience, what amp would you suggest I should give a go to notice a difference?
ไม่พูดพล่าม ทำแต่เพลง จริงๆ 55555
Dude, really? For these great Tannoy speakers, you need a better amplifier. Never thought about one of the famous vintage Luxmans? Like 530 or 550?
The man is happy with his amp. He doesn't have ''your'' ears. So why bother suggesting that he changes his amp? Have you heard the ''same'' amp driving the ''same'' Tannoys in the comfort of your own gaff??
***** With all due respect, yes I have experience with these speakers and they are excelent, unlike the Yamaha amps (being sort of main stream, nothing special amps). I think these two are no match. Plus, I know this guy is an enthusiast trying out various speakers all the time (as you can see from his vids). I think it wouldn't hurt to try for once a reall good gear matching the quality of the speakers. The decision is on him, of course.
You don't know your amplifiers very well.... It looks like a Yamaha A-S2000 - it will run rings around most tube amps in its price class (especially the modern Chinese cheapies).
What do you mean by "your amplifiers"? I don't own Yamaha. Wouldn't want one. I just think that this Yamaha (I know it's their highest model) is not a match to those speakers. Not even the same league. No one is speaking about cheapo Chinese crap.
Distyp: I’ve tested number of amplifiers when I had these Tannoys and in my experience, I found these Tannoys to be not sensitive to an amplifier change. I’ve not tested them with the Luxmans that you’ve mentioned though.
Moreover, in my experience, in a properly designed amplifier test, 99% of listeners will not be able to tell the difference. When I say properly, I’m referring to a blind test, with 10 trials, where volume levels of both amps are balanced within 0.5dB, and listening person switches between the amps live (i.e. you don’t get any delay between the swap, it’s instant). If listening person is able to tell which amplifier is playing, at least 7 trials out of 10, then we conclude that there is an audible difference between these amplifier.
I’ve run tests like this with people bringing their own gear, frequently being 5 times the price of my Yamaha A-S2000 and also running in class A… and guess what, most of the time results were 5 out of 10, occasionally 4 or 6 out of 10. So not statistically significant. I’m not trying to say that Yamaha A-S2000 is somehow special. What I am saying is that if a transistor amplifier is well designed you will struggle to tell the difference between it and any other well designed transistor amp (in a setup designed test).
However, if you compare the amps and you have a couple of minutes break between the tests (swapping cables), with the volumes being not very well matched, and with a bias of knowing that one amp has a legendary status and other is just an amp… you will probably hear the difference…
God bless mp3
mp3 is for people with ears full of shit and for the stupit digital generation like yours.
chuck some coins on the headsell, willing to make a bet it will sound better
you gotta be kidding....aside from incorrect stylus pressure, which will eat your records, the key is reducing resonances, not increasing them. That's something idiots do with m44-7s who don't know how to set up a tonearm and wanna pose as turntablists.
hes using a medium mass tonearm with a very low compliance cartridge....
fetishist :) joking
I know, it is crazy! I enjoy the whole ritual of playing a vinyl though... ;)
Nice player, however this is a bad sound its not recorded properly for youtube it sounds as coming from inside a barrell.
So either the recording of the record is not good. Or the recording of the music in your room is not right. I think the last.
At 5,29 its slightly better. Now I know its a live album done in a kind of accoustics...so there's alway's this element of bad miking/mixing jobs
still if you hear the difference with the album on youtube and when its played on your machine, there's too much difference in sound.
I think you should do it again and use a better microphone. Amp I don't know, a mediocre amp (mine is not by the way!) is often sufficient to
get good sound as long as the player is good and the speakers. OK better amps are better always but mediocre amplifiers do the job well
enough if combined with great speakers. You can always buy a better amp. Better amps are more in controll over the speakers but to listen
to a few minutes of sound it is not manditory as long as the speakers are good and the source of the music is good.
Hi Henry. Thank you for your comment. My videos are not intended to demonstrate the sonic qualities of the presented equipment. They are merely there to show people the "look and feel", and are often embedded in equipment reviews on my website. Average quality of my microphone, room interactions and file compression, are the main reasons why I don't it would be appropriate to critically evaluate HiFi sound through UA-cam. All the best.