Thorens TD 146

Well there is a TD146 and there is a TD146 IV (I think) 

I'm not sure because I've never seen one. They did what I call a type II of a lot of their TT.

TD166 and the then the Type II slightly smaller footprint. 

It's an older Thoren it will be fine. I've used the belt style for 35 years and the 121-124 for 50 plus years.. My favorite. Right there with Russco, QRK and Sparta for me.. The smaller footprint like a 166 II is a great TT too.

145,46,47,50,60,65,66 parts are everywhere. The tonearms are good quality if they have been taken care of.. Two or 3 kinds. Aftermarket, like you said Jelco, SME, Lynn, Micro Seiki. Repair kits for motors, suspension, plinths, vibration control additional tone arms. Most parts are interchangeable, Quack Quack..:-)

Did I mention I have a crap load of Thoren STUFF. LOL

Have fun ay..

Regards

It's a good TT, but you will need a high compliance cartridge to match the low mass tonearm.

The original TP11 arm was medium/high mass (had one on a TD165) and the TD11 version used on the 146 is half the effective mass of the original TD11.

I've only seen/heard one (TD146) and I've owned Thorens decks since the 70's.

It was comparable to my first version TD160/SME combo when I heard it and I assume that it would sound even better with the base plate removed (leaving the bottom open).

Both tables (160/146) were running the, then new, Sure V15 mkIII.

I also like it because it raises the arm @ the end of play (the later 14? model stops the platter, but doesn't raise the arm).

Didn't care about this feature when I was young, but sure could use it now.

DeKay

They have an auto stop. I swear I've never seen one. I've seen the clutch that was suppose to help with sudden stop, it could be the auto stop. I've replaced a few of those. The clutch fails or is broke off. 

I guy just fixed one of those too. He's pretty thrifty.. Added an after market shaft and aftermarket clutch I think. Maybe he'll chime in..

Thoren is the Bomb. Great decks. I have a 2030 that is pretty friggin' nice too.

Still like a 121 or 124 better they have a break for Queing and speed control for recording.

Russco are Garrard killers.. Look at one of those, they have a gear shifter, (no kidding) and a washing machine motor. :-)

We load the rabbit every now and then. He's a good sport. He'll stay on for a while then BOING!

Regards

hvy:

The earlier TD145 had auto stop, but I don't recall it lifting.

There was a TD147 in the shops around the time the TD146 was new, but other than a different arm I don't know the difference.

I heard the TD146 in the early 80's (I think) when visiting my folks in Iowa and saw the new TD147 when I got back to LA.

I still had 2 TD160/Sme combos that cost very little so didn't go for it.

Also, as mentioned, auto stop didn't interest me back then.deKay