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Thorens TD160-B with Origin Live motor |
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These pictures show a little detail of the first 'proper' turntable I owned. I've still got it though it's currently out of use after a small but significant accident when I last moved. Just goes to show that removing the outer platter before transporting the deck is following good advice...
A brief run-down of the changes shown in the photos:
Outer platter has been damped damped with Sorbothane panels. The sub-chassis was stiffened with section of 10mm MDF; cut as accurately as possible it was then stuck in place with Araldite. After problems with the original motor I fitted one from Origin Live. This is an early version with the motor controller circuit installed in the plinth.
A Linn LP12 drive belt was used (at the time of the conversion getting hold of Thorens belts was a nightmare!).
The baseplate wasn't replaced after installing the motor and IXOS 'Big Feet' have been used to support the deck. This also serves to stop the 'table resting on the bottom of the motor. The 'arm is a Rega RB300 (actually a Moth MkIII) upgraded with the Incognito wiring kit and a Pebble02 counterweight. Moth Bearing Damping Rings (BDR) have been fitted to the main bearing tube. |
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Top view without the platter mat. The control knob (bottom left of picture) is the Origin Live one fitted into the hole vacated by the original Thorens version. The armboard looks to be a Henley one made from MDF or similar. Interestingly this sites the arm at the 219.5 mm centre for Baerwald/Loefgren alignment, rather than the 222mm recommended by Rega. Much better! |
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This is a general view of the underside of the 'table. The alterations to fit the Origin Live motor are (thankfully) very few. The biggest change is to remove the baseplate (not a bad idea anyway) because the motor is a lot deeper than the original. I also cut back the corners so that the IXOS Big Feet provide some extra clearance and isolation. |
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The early Origin Live remotor kit was designed to put everything other than the transformer inside the plinth. On the Thorens (and similar?) this made for a very neat installation. The rotary swith towards the right of the picture is the speed control. Coloured wires lead from that to the controller card; stuck in with sticky pads! The large, black cylindrical object is the motor in its rubber jacket. There are two further wires leading from the circuit board to a connector in the back of the plinth for the transformer. |
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Fitting the motor itself isn't difficult, although it does require at least one of the fixing holes to be drilled in the top-plate of the plinth. Fast drill, gentle pressure, after a pilot hole. In this particular installation I fitted the motor off-centre to the original; this allows use of a Linn belt. Some material needs removing from the top plate around the spindle hole because the belt is somewhat longer. |
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