Thorens TD-160 Motor Tuning Kit
For our international clientele
Thorens TD-160, 165, 166 etc. are high quality turntables which were mass produced in the heydays of analogue hifi and they were powered by a two phase electromotor. For this type of motor to run smoothly requires a phase shift of 90 degrees in the 50 Hz/220Volt connected to the motor.
This phase shift was introduced by means of a capacitor. In production Thorens chose a capacitor of 0.15 uF. The spread in the production of the (two) coils of the motors was considerable. In this light the choice of a capacitor of one fixed value was bound to introduce problems of some sort.
In this case a deviation in the phase shift resulted in unwanted vibrations in the motor which in turn are led to the chassis and these will eventually be picked up by the cartridge, thus corrupting the music signal. Although the information written and shown below is about 230 Volt/50Hz motors, in essence it definitely applies to 115 Volt/60Hz motors as well!
Overseas customers interested in this product may contact us at jaap@hanzehifi.nl
Should you wish to have your Thorens motor upgraded, please disassemble the motor from the turntable chassis by loosening the three screws which hold it in place (mind the spring!).
Desolder the four coloured wires from the soldering points. Please send your motor to: Hanze Hifi, Oosterlaan 15-16, 8011 GC Zwolle, The Netherlands.
We will then find the exact value for the capacitor and resistor needed. We will send you motor back with its individual measurement report (like above) before and after tuning.
This upgrade costs € 175,= and it includes a bearing silencing mod. (EXCLUDING SHIPMENT, PLEASE DO ASK!)