A nice find

If you have the room, keep and refurbish both. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

These 2 items were in my first 'proper' system way back in 1972 (or was it 1973 ...)

Not these exact 2, of course, but I remember them giving me a lot of pleasure with. Shure cartridge and Wharfedale Meltons, though the performance went up a lot when I replaced the Wharfedales with Spendor BC1s.

The Trio and Spendors are still working fine in my brother's house.

I wouldn't do too much to the Thorens apart from a clean-up and a new cartridge. The arm is actually very good but difficult to rewire, though would benefit from that too. Wouldn't bother with new plinths etc. The amp I don't know but a couple of years ago I heard a Leak Stereo 70 from the same era (early 70s) and was astonished by the detail and natural sound - these early transistor designs have been forgotten in the valve frenzy of the last couple of decades. Don't forget that Mr Vereker designed his exceedingly good amplifiers based on Sinclair kits.... (I think I read once)

Dave, from what I read elsewhere, I think the story went that he was so disappointed at the Sinclair kits that it spurred him on to first modify and then totally redesign them, so what was left was completely different.  Whether true or not, I couldn't say.

I don't know about the Trio amp but the Thorens is definitely worth cleaning up and fettling.  clean out the bearing well and change the oil, fit a new belt (genuine Thorens or else a Thakker OEM job), clean the pins on the headshell, fit a new stylus (most came with a Shure 75ED or 75EJ) or else a new cartridge, and change the mat to a flat rubber one like on the later UK special editions or try a felt or acrylic one (keep the original, just don't use it, because it's not that great).  If you're feeling more adventurous then changing out the arm lead for something a bit better is reasonably straightforward - you can buy the entire assembly online from various sellers - or,  else have the entire thing rewired professionally.  Beyond that you're into plinth upgrades and much more serious investment.  However, the original TD160 is a lovely thing, and very capable all the same, so worth keeping it as stock as possible looks-wise.

p.s. if the lid still has it's little hinge "ears" then you're lucky as these often break.  The lid should be cleaned up and polished - T-cut is good here, and even brasso where you have more serious scratching.

Lucky lucky guy. I'm looking for a Thorens like that at a sensible price since months, and Aladdin's Genius gave one to you for free....

Max, the problem you have is undoubtedly deciding what is a "sensible price".  Well preserved examples of decks like these old Thorens have seen prices rising in recent years.  About 4 years ago I sold a beautiful mint example of a Thorens TD-160C.  I think I asked a little over £100 for it and it sold quickly to a very happy buyer.  These days I could probably ask twice that, or even more.  And when you think what a new turntable would cost, it does put things into perspective.  A new Thorens TD160C made today would probably set you back well into four figures. 

Max_B posted:

Lucky lucky guy. I'm looking for a Thorens like that at a sensible price since months, and Aladdin's Genius gave one to you for free....

Max, Richard is right

Thorens vintage decks are rising in price

I've allways fancied a 160 super, should have pulled the trigger years back

Phonosophie did some interesting mods on older Thorens and did provide own range based on later 2001/3001, I even think JV was involved in their TT psu.

The P3PS power supply was designed and built by Naim for use with the Phonosophie No.3 turntable - it looked like an Olive Armageddon but was quite different inside to accommodate the Phonosophie's DC motor - 20V DC IIRC.

For years there were boxed up new P3PS units gathering dust on the shelf in the goods out area of the factory.  IIRC Doug eventually did a deal (around 2005/6?) to clear them out.

I have laid eyes on what was alleged to have been JV's Phonosophie No3 turntable with Aro. It had holes cut in the plinth for different wires and switches from different power supplies.

But I concede we are now some way from Redmires' very attractive attic finds at his mother-in-law's.

Thanks all. I'll clean them up and apply power and see what happens. I can't try the TT on my main system as my Stageline is MC for the LP12.

Cartridge is a ShureM75ED Type 2. What would be a modern like for like replacement ?

Redmires posted:

Cartridge is a ShureM75ED Type 2. What would be a modern like for like replacement ?

A Shure M97xe is probably the closest modern equivalent.  You might want to consider other options.  An AT95E is a great place to start and is quite a bit livelier than the old Shures, although it's probably only worth doing this if you upgrade the old grey arm cable.

NOS M75ED styli are usually available if you look hard enough, and there are a number of good 3rd party stylus makers like Jico who make replacements. 

Grado Black (?)

Redmires posted:

Thanks all. I'll clean them up and apply power and see what happens. ...

I recommend reforming the electrolytic capacitors first, otherwise you run the risk of a surprise    Forum rules probably prohibit further discussion but you can read all about it on the Internet.

Yep, give them some speakers from local garage sale, dont risk your own

Perol posted:

Max_B posted:

Lucky lucky guy. I'm looking for a Thorens like that at a sensible price since months, and Aladdin's Genius gave one to you for free....

Max, Richard is right

Thorens vintage decks are rising in price

I've allways fancied a 160 super, should have pulled the trigger years back

Phonosophie did some interesting mods on older Thorens and did provide own range based on later 2001/3001, I even think JV was involved in their TT psu.

There was a Thorens 160 Super with a Mission 774 arm and a ZYX r50 cartridge that sold for 600 pounds on another hifi sites classifieds section not long ago, lovely looking deck.

Nice find-keep the turntable

I have the same turntable-bought in 1974!!!  It has the magnetic anti--skating arm.  Some years ago i had it rebuilt by West Midlands Audio-Worcester-now sadly long gone, the owner was a turntable enthusiast.

Had RB300 arm + Ortofon MC15 fitted, rewired and general clean up/maintanence- still using it, now with Ortofon Quintet Blue-produces a superb sound- to get equivalent new would have to spend some serious money.

Steve

Redmires posted:

 

 

Nice one - i'll be interested in how you get on 

steveb posted:

Some years ago i had it rebuilt by West Midlands Audio-Worcester-now sadly long gone, the owner was a turntable enthusiast. 

I've not heard that shop mentioned for years. Used to be a regular haunt when i worked in Malvern. I'm sure it lives on as Midland Audio Exchange over in Belbroughton now. 

Anyway back on topic 

A quick clean and a pair of (cheap) speakers later.

Remarkable how things can work ok after being in storage for so long. Now with the TT working, my wife can remember it from when she was a child (35 + years ago) and the fun they had with the cue action lever and playing LP's at 45rpm. There's a crackle on a couple of amp control pots and a hum from the phono leads but apart from that it sounds quite good. All the inputs work (including 2 phono inputs) and the amp has 2 mains outlets for powering the TT etc.

Turntable - new cartridge, belt, phono & mains cables, bearings check and oil change. Amp - clean/renew pots and general clean up. That's my project sorted now that the nights are drawing in. 

That looks lovely. Isn't it wonderful that something from 35 years ago can be found, plugged in, and it plays music. I wonder if today's streamers and nases will have equally long lives? Actually, there is no point wondering, as the answer is surely 'no'. 

Bob the Builder posted:

Perol posted:

Max_B posted:

Lucky lucky guy. I'm looking for a Thorens like that at a sensible price since months, and Aladdin's Genius gave one to you for free....

Max, Richard is right

Thorens vintage decks are rising in price

I've allways fancied a 160 super, should have pulled the trigger years back

Phonosophie did some interesting mods on older Thorens and did provide own range based on later 2001/3001, I even think JV was involved in their TT psu.

There was a Thorens 160 Super with a Mission 774 arm and a ZYX r50 cartridge that sold for 600 pounds on another hifi sites classifieds section not long ago, lovely looking deck.

I've got a TD150 with original Thorens arm plus a TD160 with 774 arm which have been stored in the loft for the best part of 20 years after I bought my Michel Mycro.  They are just two of the many projects that I never seem to get around to but it appears this might be the time.....  

Good news.  The old Thorens decks are nigh-on bullet proof and readily supported by a number of enterprising sources for spares.  Which is probably why they are such a popular choice for restoration. Before you fit a new belt be sure to try to get the belt running surfaces on the inner sub-platter hub and pully as clean as you can. Good luck with the project.

Hungryhalibut posted:

And goof luck from all of us. 

Thanks HH, that's what happens when two calls come in at the same time as I'm trying to type a post...

(now edited and corrected)

Redmires, I've just spotted this thread and wish to pass on my congratulations for your restoration. Both the turntable and the amp look super cool! What speakers are you using with this system?

Hi Clive

I've not started yet      The TT & amp lists are my "to do" actions.

They came out of a loft at the weekend and last night I gave them a quick clean and switched them on. At the moment I have a pair of old Awai speakers from a mini hifi, just to try it out. Once finished, I'll source something decent.