Hello friends of Thorens turn tables!
You may ask what you can improve on your old but established device. Approximately 30 years ago THORENS did produce with high quality and every important character was tested with highest carefulness. Products like oil and the belt do and did guarantee this high level of quality. But later on the goal of THORENS shifted to more profit and quantity instead of improving the technology and quality. The name remained but the players were not the same. Design and price were the driver. As a enthusiast of THORENS it is not necessary to spend a lot of m money but with know-how you can improve a lot of. THE BELT: It does not matter if you will use an original or a reproduction one. Both are too tight! The reproduction do have a more polished surface. This is not an improvement because of the adhesion effect. The high quality requirements of the belt are not practicable by a low production volume even by a nature product like rubber because of the permanent changes of the climate. Therefore a belt adjustment is highest recommendable. The one and only different is that the THORENS belt allows a better elongation. The belt is the most important part in the player because it lets or prevents the vibrations from the motor to the platter bearing and even to the pick-up. The tighter the belt is the more motor vibrations will be transmitted. A not elongated belt will stress the platter bearing with up to 200g. This make no sense if 20g to 30g are sufficient. Each elongation of 10mm reduce the stress of 100g. An old belt can be used if it is elastic enough and do have the right length. To mount the belt you have to elongate the belt of 1cm. minimum length: minimum length: maximum length: 260mm for pulleys up to 13mm diameter 265mm for pulleys more than 13mm diameter 275mm for all belts
A too longs belt for TD125/TD126 will fit for TD280 or TD2001. Every belt must have the right length in order to prevent too high stress to the bearing and or the motor. This will lead to noise from the bearing. If the belt jumps in the start-up phase you can adjust this by justify of the sub chassis or depending of the type or model- by justify (tilting) of the motor.
Do not bring the belt in contact with chemical fluids. The belt must be stored in darkness. To clean the belt use carefully spirit. This should be done fast and short and dry the belt at once. The turntables TD280/520/320III and TD2001 need a belt delimiter due to keep the belt in stable function. To conserve the belt it helps to use for the bearing oil with low viscosity because it reduces friction. THE BEARING OIL (CHANGE): The oil must be changed if the oil in the bearing is black colored. Too less oil has a negative impact on the bearing itself, the motor and the belt. A thin oil ring on the axle should be there after assembling the smaller sub-platter (where the axle is pressed in) in the bearing. How to clean the bearing? Its quite simple. Use a clean cotton, which does not fuzz. The dry bearing have to be checked regarding noise. To do that rotate (push) fast the smaller sub-platter by hand. You should not hear the bearing. Please do it in a quiet and silent room. The smaller sub-platter must rotate approx. 1 to 2 minutes (depends on the bearing). If it is below one minute than it seems that the bearing surface is damaged. But you can repair it by polishing. Details will be explained later. The oil must be selected depending of bearing clearance and bearing noise or else the a standard oil is sufficient. (Oil change set: JB N2) Older turntables which have aught noise an oil with damping properties should be selected. But first of all the root cause has to be eliminated (polish the bearing). Use sufficient oil, so a small oil ring will be produced on the axle on the top of the bearing. The smaller sub -platter should be sink slowly the platter must rotate a little bit- and without any noise. By lifting and sinking of the smaller sub -platter you should not hear any noise! But take care dont damage the axle with other metal parts! Each smallest cut or scratch will cause noise in the bearing. If the bearing is absolutely free from noise you can use a light oil (JB N1). This oil reduces additional the friction, distress the motor and the bearing. This leads to a further reduction of vibrations.
Available oil products: N1 for bearing with smallest clearance and without noise N2 standard oil; can be used for nearly all models (oil change set) N3 for real old models after heavy use and which have a large bearing clearance
For special purpose you may inquiry for special oil for TD124, TD110/115/104/105 (old THORENS oil). These oils are sparing oils without additives with SAE standard and without dissolver. An overview about used oil by THORENS:

Origin oil

Replacement

With clearance /noise

old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil
TD 124/224 TD 125/126 TD 126/226 TD 127 TD 145 TD 146 TD 147 TD 150 TD 160 TD 165 TD 166 TD 170 TD 180 TD 280 TD 280/4 TD 290

1992 1992

Caltex or Texaco

oil change kit

Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Winns Precision fluid oil change kit Titan Super Synt Titan Super Synt oil change kit oil change kit
Instrumenten grease Mos2 grease Titan Super Synt oil change kit
TD 316/318 TD 320 TD 320 TD 520/521 TD2001/3001 Concrete Phantasie TD 104/105 TD 110/115 TD 115 MK2

Titan Super Synt

oil change kit oil change kit oil change kit oil change kit oil change kit oil change kit oil change kit oil change kit oil change kit
old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil old THORENS oil
till 1985 Mobil DTE Heavy medium ex 1986 Titan Super Synt 1982 Titan Super Synt Titan Super Synt Titan Super Synt Titan Super Synt Mobil DTE Heavy medium Mobil DTE Heavy medium
Winns Precision fluid oil change kit
For all absolutely free of noise and clearance bearing I recommend to use the oil JB N1. This oil reduces the friction the bearing, eliminate the load of the motor, belt and electronic. This leads to a better sound precision and dynamic. Additional informations concerning bearings: l The series TD280/316/318/320/321/Concrete/Phantasie/520/2001/3001 have friction bearing. l The series TD105/105 have sintered bearings. l The series TD124/125/126/226/127 have sintered bearings with oil depot. l The series TD 115/146/147 have friction bearings with oil depot. You can oil all bearings with my oil, if your turntable is not too old. For older bearings with some bearing clearance I can provide you a special oil type (old THORENS special oil for TD 124/126/126/150/165).
Instructions for oil change:
l smaller sub-platter, rubber mate and belt must be disassembled l The platter must be lifted with out any tilting l Remove the old oil by using a small sponge l The bearing must be degreased by using wet chemical methods (alcohol, petroleum ether) with an absolutely fuzz free cotton l Dry the bearing l Fill in the bearing 1ml oil and spread 1ml oil on the axle shaft l The platter has to mount (sink) in the bearing with a rotation l Degrease the pulley and the belt contact surface on the platter l Assemble the belt and the remaining parts

Instructions to eliminate the platter run out: l Use a small piece of paper and put it as close as to the rotating turntable platter l Turn the outer platter a little bit on the inner side smaller subplatter as long as you will minimize the run out l After you have found the smallest run out, mark both plates in order to find the right position later when you will change the belt or oil The platter should not have a height run out. This can be corrected by bending the axle only. But this must be done by experts, because it is easy to break the axle due to the hardness.
Instructions to reduce noise from the motor: Each motor produces noise and vibrations. These will be picked up from the pick-up and you can hear it from your loudspeaker. Synchronous - and DCmotor should be absolutely silent! Following instructions will reduce or even eliminate this problem.
l put a small drop (not more) of oil to the axle base if you have a DC-motor l In some cases a complete lubrication with oil. Depending on the motor different oils are available l A permanent lubrication with oil for storage is recommended l The p ulley should not have a run out. The clutch system must work silent and easily
l The pulley have to be cleaned with alcohol
How do reduce the noise from the bearing: You can reduce them by 100%, You need only tools for polishing which fits to your bearing diameter. THORENS turntables have bearings with following diameters: l l l l 15mm 14mm 10mm 7mm
This tools for polishing are mild and do not destroy the bearing itself. It is more complicate to polish the axle. For this you need diamond rubber and polish paste. But the result will improve the sound of the turntable and there will be no need to do it a second time. Instructions to polish the bearing: l Remove the rubber mate outside platter and the belts l The smaller sub-platter has to be lifted without any tilting l A fuzz free cotton must be wrapped on a wooden bar. Then clean the bearing and remove the old oil l Put the tool in the bearing, shake the polish liquid and pour it from the top into the groove. l Rotate the polish tool and move it up and down in order to spread it. Remove the polish liquid on the top of the bearing l By using a hand driller you will be faster. But do this with slow revolutions and not longer than one minute l If you are doing by ha nd you may polish longer l Clean the bearing with the wooden bar and paper l The bearing must bright in light l The axle must be polished by using soft cotton. The axle must be like a mirror l Pour 1ml oil into the bearing and onto the axle. l Mount the smaller sub-platter with the axle into the bearing by rotating the platter l Mount the belt, the outer platter and the rubber mate Further informations and hints regarding bearing:

The first time (start up phase) in the life time of the player, the roughnesses in the bearing will be eliminated or compensated. This may happen because the valleys will be filled with oil and/or small particles of abrasion. The result is an excellent tribological pairing with low friction. After this start up phase and evaluation of the bearing make sense. Do not use graphite or molybdenum sulfate based oil because they will increase dramatically the friction at low temperatures. Also silicon oil should not be used. The producer of this oil normally do not recommend it for metal pairing. Grease should be used in the TD 280 MKIV only. Do not use grease in the high quality players like TD124/125/126/150/160/320/2001 even the bearing clearance is too high. Use oil with high viscosity if the polished beari ng causes unsteady low noises. If you can hear a constant low noise high viscosity oil will not help and normally not necessary. In most cases a small bearing clearance will not be a problem. Be aware the main task of oil is to reduce the friction and not to increase it as normally usual!
Pulley; adjustments and modifications: Do not use a metal pulley because it is heavier and this leads to more rumbling. If you want to use anyhow a metal pulley you have to take care that the fixing screw should not be in the belt running area, and in addition this pulley needs more surface care. An additional reason why you should not use a metal pulley can be found in the friction clutch. This clutch enables the stretching of the belt and prevents the tilting of the sub chassis and even it prevents that the belt will jump from the pulley. If it seems to you that the pulley has a run out a change it is normally not necessary, because first an adjustment of the felt have to be performed. The belt contact area of the pulley can be improved by polishing. But take care that this part must be absolutely round. THORENS used metal pulleys (they were pressed onto the motor axle) for a short time period. Only the TD2001 remains with this part but unfortunately without friction clutch system. This disadvantage can be covered with a belt limiter.

Several tuning hints: You may replace the rubber mate by a leather or an cork one. But be aware that all of them will not reduce rumbling by 100%. You have to improve other mechanic issues first otherwise you will not have success.
Example: Considering the stabilizer and the super platter; only few of THORENS are equipped with a WIDIA platter in the bottom of the bearing. Without them heavy platter and the stabilizer are inapt because the effect are similar to a brake and the rumbling will increase. On some turntables this will cause a damaged bearing bottom. You will not see or recognize it immediately but long term related you will get troubles. To cover this problem I sell WIDIA platter in several diameter for turntables ex TD124. You have also to consider that the spring systems are not designed for additional load. Each increase of the platter weight will increase the load to the motor, belt and bearing. The additional load/stress leads to a higher belt tension and this enables a better transmitting of vibration of the motor. This leads to much more rumbling of the system. Conclusion: First of all you have to ensure a good service for your turntable. This is much better as permanent tuning! You really do not ever want to improve a 5000 turntable. THORENS did produce highest quality products which did cost up to 20000. The most important on a turntable is not the price and not the design its the technical know-how only!
Example: l Transrotor (5000 or 70000) flutter approx.: l THORENS TD147 (below 1000DM) flutter approx.: l THORENS TD125 flutter approx.: 0,06% 0,05% 0,035%
When you compare these figures you may imagine that 30 years old THORENS turntables are really comparable to competitors new products or even better. It is a matter of fact that a proper maintained turntable will be keep the quality for many many years.
Important steps prior sound tunings:
First of all you have to think about the sequence. The following one is in my opinion the right one. l The bearing must be free of noise and must have the lowest possible friction l The belt must be used according the table on page 1 l The motor must be free of noise and treated preventive l Damping of the inner smaller sub-platter with a foam ring (TD125/126) or a resonance filter made of wood l Reduce/eliminate the subsonic noise, impact sound and the airborne sound. This is depends on the turn table. But it improves the tracking ability and this means further a clearer sound and more precision. l Depending on the turn table you can improve the housing, or the base plate and the stands. MDF is a proper material for this purpose. l Try to use leather or cork instead of the rubber mate. A positive effect can be reached if you have a noise free bearing only l If you have a bright, detailed and clear sound then you have no problem form the impact sound side l Make the improvements only step by step. Otherwise you will not see the result of a single change and in some cases two changes may compensate each other. In addition you should take enough time to test the improvements I will not give you specific hints for sound tuning because it depends from too much aspects and parameters. Try it yourself and step by step only. Than you will get an better sound which will make you enthusiastic.

Instructions for safe and secure shipping: l The box (carton) must be large enough that all dimensions are lager than min. 10mm of the dimensions of the turn table l Ship the dust cover separately with all loose parts, manual, tone arm and weight if possible l On the bottom of the box put a thick carton on order to gain it l Put the outer platter and the mate in a plastic bag and then direct on the bottom l A foam plate will be the next part which must cover the platter and the mate l The next important step is the preparation of the tur n table itself l 2-3cw stripes of carton must be put between the chassis and the case and fix them with a glue tape l Put a carton with a hole for the spindle between smaller sub-platter and chassis. this carton must thick enough in order to prevent damages on the bearing bottom. If you will not use a carton, the spindle will create a mark on the bearing bottom. This will cause noise ad higher friction

l l l l l

l The tone arm must be fixed on the tone arm support. Remove the pick-up the weight and the antiskating weight l Below the tone arm base you must put a carton too. This is very important if you have SME tone arms After doing that you can put the turntable into the middle of the box Fill the free space between the turn table and the box with sufficient foam or carton. Make sure that the carton or foam must higher than the tone arm (1 to 2 cm) A prepared carton large enough that it covers the complete box with a large hole for the tone arm must be put on the filling material. Take care that this carton do not touch the tone arm Fill the remaining space with paper rolls or similar. This prevents that the smaller sub-platter has space for movements Finally check if the turn table has no possibility to move to the carton wall.
With this hints the turn table will be received without any damages. It also helps if you mount a holder made of cord on the box. It may prevent that the box will fall to the ground during handling in the post office. Also labels like GLASS or HANDLE CAREFULLY will help.
Damping of subsonic noise for metal sheet players: You need a small piece of foam plastic stripe. A piece with the size of approx. 5mm wide and 10mm high have to be put in the gap of the tone arm base and the chassis. (see arrow in the picture) If the result is not sufficient an additional damping foam plastic piece can be mounted under the tone arm base. You can produce the foam plastic stripe by yourself. This stripe will effect an additional damping and prevents a damage of the pick-up and belt jump or even acoustic feedback. You can send an order to me of a complete 20 piece set. This set cost 5 only.

CHECK LIST OF POSSIBLE FAILURES:
Turn table: l loose or too tightened screw connections l dirty or loose electrical connections (ground) l run out of the pulley because of a knock
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l
run out of the platter contact area of the smaller sub-platter and outer platter are dirty belt dirty, worn out or too tight belt too smooth (adhesion) belt jumps out of the pulley insufficient oil or wrong oil type cable of the tone arm: wrong routing insufficient clamping force of the cable clamp or contact with the chassis wrong adjustment of the sub chassis (platter has contact with the chassis) transportation lock lot loose turntable not in balance wrong adjustment of the tone arm (weight antiskating) wrong tone arm geometry incorrect height of the tone arm (must be parallel to the disc) insufficient stability and cleanliness of electrical contacts isolation pieces are missing (important for Stanton pick-up) weak adjustment of the pick-up bad soldering in the signal path worn out phono jacks too tight or cracked parts bearing damaged/cracks/cuts
Pick-up: l l l l l l l l l l
worn out diamond bended cantilever damping rubber too old dirty diamond dirty coils (cannot be seen) wrong adjusted cantilever (not parallel with the body) insufficient stability of the electrical and mechanical connections shutted cables influence of the transformer wrong pin connections
Common checklist: l l l l l l length of the belt (see table) position of the belt during operation (middle of the pulley) run out of the motor axle noise of the motor oil level and color run test without belt (1 minute in minimum)

l l l l l l l l l l l

noise of the bearing (no noise) revolution and switch off test (with single) start up phase within five seconds lift up and down must be equable small inner platter run out not more than 0,15mm outer platter run out not more than 0,25mm clearance of the tone arm bearing (horizontally and vertically) as low as possible (smaller than 20mg) tracking force geometry of the tone arm left and right channel short circuit to ground