Thorens TD-14X Models with auto-shut off (TD-145, TD-146, TD-147, TD-145MKII)
What does service include?
- Initial evaluation of motor, platter bearing, and basic tonearm function including bearings
- Remove platters and other items that are removable such as levers, screw covers, counterweights, cue arm, etc.
- Clean smaller items in ultrasonic cleaner
- Clean top plate with appropriate cleaners discovered over years of working on them
- Detail tonearm and area around motor
- Remove residue from motor pulley
- Check motor pulley function, especially the clutch
- Lubricate motor, run several hours
- Clean out platter bearing well
- Clean drive platter surface where belt rides of oxidation and staining
- Clean and polish drive platter bearing shaft
- Lubricate drive platter bearing and test for quiet and true (Truing the platter, if needed, is additional $40)
- Clean and polish drive platter edge to satin finish
- Evaluate cables. If usable, they are also detailed.
- RCA plugs replaced with Art Pop RCAs (in 98% of instances, this repairs one or more channel out)*
- If nicks or cuts are found in cables, owner is notified of cable options
- AC and tonearm wire solder points checked. Re-solder if needed.
- Clean ground connections
- Check studs for tight fit (These should be rigid)
- Check springs for excessive wear. in 99% of cases, Thorens springs have aged very well and do not need replacement
- Check corner blocks and transport screw blocks for cracks. Glue, if needed.
- Vacuum underside. If parts are corroded, they are treated with WD-40 to prevent further corrosion
- Clean and treat rubber mat, if included
- Clean and treat plinth. (I can sometimes eliminate shallow scratches as part of this process)
- If MKII model, and the painted black trim on bottom is worn/peeling, I give owner option of 1 coat primer and 3 satin black for $40
- Clean and polish dust cover, if included. (One coat polish inside, three coats outside)
- If parts are highly corroded, owner is notified of replacement options. This rarely happens.
- Detail all tonearm surfaces
- Clean headshell terminals, in and out, with de-Oxit
- Replace headshell leads with gold plated leads (not replaceable on MKII versions)
- Replace belt with new genuine Thorens Logo Belt, $30 value.
- Clean tonearm female terminals with de-Oxit
- Check cueing function. Clean out and replace damping fluid, if needed.
- Check speed change function. Adjust as needed.
- If cartridge is used, evaluate cartridge and report results to owner
- Mount new cartridge, if needed
- Reassemble/reinstall all parts from top plate
- Align cartridge, setting VTA, tracking angle, offset, and azimuth
- Adjust/tune suspension to maximize performance**
- Play test
- Re-adjust suspension and/or cartridge alignment as needed.
- Clean/vacuum bottom plate and re-install
- Install upgrade feet
- Re-pack turntable for shipment.
- If you originally used the box rental option, I charge $12 for boxes and bubble for return.
- If your auto-shut off function is not working, to trouble-shoot and repair is $75. I have a 90% success rate. If not fixable, no charge.
Note: All replaced parts are returned to the owner
*I generally do not agree with automatically replacing the Thorens cables. The original wiring was correctly matched for capacitance with the wiring in the tonearm itself. Additionally, many of the thick cables available today can adversely affect the turntable’s suspension. I also do not agree with substituting separate female RCA connectors, as adding another connection path in audio is almost never a good thing. The existing path already has three per channel.
**Every Thorens is slightly different in terms of adjustment of the suspension. I have resisted making a Youtube video about suspension adjustment because there are many small factors based on the idiosyncrasies of that table (spring wear, tonearm weight, platter weight (these differed by several ounces), drive platter material, mat weight, cartridge weight, and whether or not a clamp of some kind will be used. Tuning Thorens’ suspension is something I have done literally hundreds of times over the past 15 years. I know the nuances that lead to the very best performance.