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Thorens TP-16 Tonearm cartridge mounting issue

Recently, I have acquired a Thorens TD-160 MKI equipped with the original TP-16 tonearm and headshell. I am using Dynavector 10x5 and Grado Gold cartridges but would like to try a Reference Grado in the near future. The problem lies within the headshell of the TP-16 tonearm, as it only allows for mounting from underneath the headshell and there are no holes on the top. After close examination, it seems I can remove the lid of the headshell but there remains a top that lies just above the threaded cartridge plate. Ideally, I would like to have 2 slots located above the headshell plate for cartridge installation and adjustment, this would make installation for Grado Reference and other cartridges much easier.

Does anyone know if there are other headshells that I could fit directly on the end of a TP16 with open slots on the top? Maybe a MKII headshell would work but I am really not sure?

Here is a link to a picture of a TP16 tonearm-
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/thorens/tp16.shtml

Thanks to everyone for your input.

Cheers,
Chris
chris74
chris74 OP
99 posts
 
Ekobesky, I originally considered swapping out the TP-16 in favor of a modern arm but I feel at this point the Thorens arm is nice enough to keep. I have rewired it completely with Cardas tonearm wire, re lubed and re adjusted the bearings, calibrated the arm and it sounds great. The entire TD160 has been refurbished and properly setup and has proved well worth the effort as it is a whole different sounding table at this point. Internally, they unit has been dampened with cork liner, new Thorens belt, cleaned and adjusted springs, addition of gold rca jacks and a removable IEC with Cardas silver solder used throughout. If you guys want to see the finished 160, take a peek on the system page of my account, there is a picture of the table there.
stefanl
296 posts
 
What the other posters have not mentioned is that also if your arm is the TP-16 Mk 1 version at 16.5gms effective mass,you probably have a mismatch using a Grado Silver on that arm.The Grado weighs 5.5 gms and the compliance is high at 20cus.This would result in a tonearm,cartridge resonance of about 7.4Hz which is actually quite low i.e too near the resonance of the table.You would want to be around 11-12Hz optimally.You can get a lot of info with a seach here on this site about addressing this issue.A cartridge with a lower compliance than a Grado would be a way to go.
chris74 OP
99 posts
 
Stefanl, compliance is something I have only glanced at, the general information I have about the TP-16 MKI is it is a medium mass tonearm and the Grado should work. Is there a site, link or calculation you could recommend for determining proper cartridge/tonearm compliance?
chris74 OP
99 posts
 
Found a formula for calculating compliance here -

http://www.theanalogdept.com/cartridge___arm_matching.htm

This really helps!
stefanl
296 posts
 
The cheaper Benz Micro cartridges,Benz Micro MC20E2-H MC20E2 High Output Moving Coil or the Benz Micro MC20E2-L MC20E2 Low Output Moving Coil cartridge seem to be a good match for your Thorens arm at around 10.9Hz,if you need a suggestion.Both are available from LP Gear.
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