Thorens TD 316 Worth Saving?


I bought this a couple of years ago...it came with a Thorens TD 21 tonearm and a Shure ML140HE cartridge. The stylus is Shure, but I didn't see any model or numbers. It has a thick Stinger cable coming out of it, aqua in color This turntable does not have auto return. I know it works, I heard it play but the skating was so bad I put it away and kind of gave up on it. I have ordered the string and weight for the skating.

Do cartridges lose quality with age and what would be a good stylus in the $200 range?

I've read that the 316 was not Thorens's best work. It needs a dust cover, and most likely a stylus. Is this turntable worth putting more money in to?
paul_graham
I had a 318 once. Not terrible but not great. A bit dull and leaden. Try this in it. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NRVUMI/?tag=hydsma-20&hvadid=40469829234&hvpos=1o1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15025500813178446232&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_1da3ayhivm_b