Thorens TD-16X Models (160, 165, 166, 160 Super, 166 MKII, 160 MKII)
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 cleansers discovered over years of working on them***
- Detail area around motor. Check motor screws.
- 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)
- 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 the majority of cases, Thorens springs have aged 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
- Install new custom damping rings to motor and platter bearing well***
- 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 possible on MKII tables)
- Clean tonearm female terminals with de-Oxit
- Check cueing function. Clean out and replace damping fluid, if needed.
- If cartridge is used, evaluate cartridge and report results to owner
- Mount new cartridge, if needed
- Reassemble/reinstall all parts from top plate
- Replace belt with new genuine Thorens Logo Belt, $30 value.
- 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.
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.
***Unfortunately, due to the unforgiving top plate coating used on the TD-165 model (only) it is impossible to remove scratches and other mars. Your top plate will be returned deeply cleaned, but most (if not all) scratches and mars are permanent.
***Damping rings for motor and platter bearing well
