I used an Ortofon 2M Red with a Thorens TD-145 with TP-16 tonearm, and then tried a AT120E, then upgraded the cartridge using the stylus for AT 440MLb cartridge ( they use the same body) The RED sounded OK, and the AT120 a bit better, but the real change can when switching to the Audio technica 440MLb.
Let me be honest, none of the above cartridges (I believe ) demonstrated their peak potential; it is not the the cartridges, but the lousy tonearm, TP-16. The tracking and anti-skating devices are toys and also inaccurate. I used a Geo-Disc to set up the tonearm which has always been reliable.
Using the standard Thorens headshell is also a joke. Cartridges must be mounted from the bottom up , unless you tear off the tin logo top and attempted to mount it from above, but that is a chore. The ceramic block inside the headshell makes mounting from the bottom up difficult. and also DOES NOT allow for accurate adjustment of VTA or azimuth.
Don't waste any more money on your Thorens, go with the Ortofon 2M RED which is inexpensive, and then sell the package and move to a better table like Merrill "Gem Dandy" turntable, or a Music Hall 7.3 which is -packaged with an Ortofon Bronze. Good Luck
