Welcome to: The Analog Dept.
The Analog Dept. (TAD)
The focus at this website is to provide useful information freely to audiophiles interested in the hardware that plays the vinyl Lp.
Littering the web since 2002
FYI: This site does not use tracking cookies
It's August 2018:
Thorens pic of the day....
Bushman's Thorens TD125 in a custom cabinet. Link to gallery page
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Looking for a TD124 Dustcover? We have 'em. LINK
How to navigate this site:
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Left column; click on link to reach the category/department indicated. |
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To return to previous location; 3 possible ways, 1) look for the "back to...." link at top or bottom of page you're in. 2) use left column to choose category/dept. to go to. 3) use back button on your internet browser. |
This site is organized by departments which, hopefully, are self explanatory by their link names. The home page (you are there now) functions as a site map and as a portal from which to delve further into the content within this website. Just below, the site map begins and you are now at The Analog Department. Welcome.
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TAD Table of Contents
Thorens User Manuals / Service Manuals Dept:
Turntable manuals and tonearm manuals in pdf and html format.
(Mostly Thorens content, some SME, one Otari R2R set of manuals) Copy free to your hard drive.
(answers to frequently asked questions)
A visual reference and definition of commonly used terms in tonearm alignment including
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vtf, vta, azimuth, effective length, overhang, pivot to spindle, etc. |
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a tutorial for setting vta and SRA |
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A page explaining cartridge and arm matching, effective mass vs compliance, etc. |
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How to calculate/estimate an arm/cart match-up prior to buying the cartridge |
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Setting overhang with a 2 point protractor. |
An extensive collection of Thorens information
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Thorens user manuals a large assortment of Thorens owners and service manuals available for online viewing and download. |
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Thorens Reference MK 1 taking a look at the most ambitious turntable the factory developed. |
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Restoring a Thorens Reference mk1 Rolf Kelch restores a Thorens Reference Mk II |
Thorens Detail pictures: Taking a close look inside the box.
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TD-145 MK I, an inside-the-box photo of an "automated TD160", the TD145. |
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Looking inside the TD150 MK II. Photos contributed by Dave Roberts with a link to a more detailed description of the TD150 that Dave refurbished. |
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TD Platter Bearings. Some photo documentation of the many variations to be found. |
Thorens Maintenance pages:
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Suspension Tuning by Tim Bailey |
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More suspension tuning notes.....with lots of pictures....and movies. |
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TP16 MK I Tonearm maintenance and adjustment to the cueing mechanism. Installing RCA interconnect jacks. Lot's of photos. |
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TD160 drive pulleys Taking one apart. It's a clutch pulley. |
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Setting Up My First TD160 Some tips for those beginning the journey. |
Belts:
| Finding a proper replacement belt Testing replacement belts from various belt vendors. |
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Vintage magazine articles and test reports scanned magazine reviews on various Thorens turntables. |
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Thorens Photo Gallery: readers send in photos of their Thorens. A lot of readers. |
Tweaking your Thorens:
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Tweaking a TD160 ala Rolf Kelch advanced techniques. |
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Tweaking a TD160, simple, easy-to-do mods to get better sound. |
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Bushman's TD166 "Ambiance" taking it well beyond the next level. |
Turntable photo galleries. All photos sent in by their owners.
Garrard Gallery models: 301 and 401
Lenco Gallery photos of all Lenco turntable models sent in by their owners.
SP10 Gallery The SP10 Gallery includes the Technics turntable models; SP10, SP10 mkII, SP10 mkIIa, SP10 mkIII, and the upcoming SP10R
Readers send in photos of their listening room and sound systems. The one main requirement is that the system must play vinyl. Some of these systems are very expensive, others are ingenious in their DIY build qualities. Others represent years of evolution. And they are all works in progress.
Plinth builder's Gallery: A photo gallery of custom bases and surrounds for high-end record players. Both commercial and ameteur (diy) examples are included. All photos are sent in by their authors.
What's Under Your Turntable? a photo gallery of TT support systems
The Idler Drives
(under construction)
This page is for those crafty folks who want to build some of their own bits and pieces.
DIY Record Players
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Turntable Concept Drawings
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Constrained layer plinth and sub-chassis for a Thorens TD150. |
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A simpler, non-suspended approach using TD160 or TD150 parts |
DIY Platter Mats: make your own platter mats here are some ideas.
Armboards: fitting an SME 3009 Improved tonearm to a TD160 is not simple.
Tweaks page. Improving a TD160 simple mods that make dramatic improvements
Tweaking a TD160 ala Rolf Kelch: Advanced techniques.
Shelves, platforms and plinths by Bushman: Advanced techniques.
Shelves and platforms by user510: some simple frame building, and some not so simple, to support your turntable.
Many, many photos of Lps I've encountered and some that I have lusted for.
Free LP database Software for that vast LP collection you're hoarding. Link here, it's free..
Decoding UK EMI Parlophones
plus other interesting labels and finds.
Teres (now history)
A high end turntable from Teres Audio
A history of maintenance and tweaks
Articles and Component Reviews:
| articles, component reviews, and projects |
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| philosophical approaches to enjoying audio, |
| turntable restoration projects |
| turntable enhancement projects |
| commentaries on the audio hobby |
a few examples:
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Garrardzilla (A Garrard 301 with more muscle, lots more muscle) |
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Review: The Sonic Research Sonus Blue induced magnet phono cartridge |
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Boston Audio Mat 2: review (for the SP10mkII) |
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Project #79209 A TD150 restored and transformed |
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Project #13943 A TD124 starts off with a bare metal chassis and then proceeds to build
with some non-traditional components and thinking. |
| The SP10 project page now history, it documents my experience with a good example of the SP10 mk2. |
| Review: Boston Audio Design Mat 1, J. Noble --- |
| Diy'ing A Time Machine, J. Noble |
Detail photos of SME 3009 and 3012 tonearms assembled and disassembled.
Restoring an Audio Classic by Brian Kearns
For SME owners manuals refer to the manuals page.
Otherwise known as The 'Stuff for Sale' Dept.
Web Log commentary, opinions, ideas and perspective, navel gazing and misc. ramblings.
Misc Photo: photos, not necessarily in line with the subject matter of the rest of the site. Here I exercise my interests in photography..
I buy used Thorens, AR, Garrard and Technics SP10 Record players
For more info contact: webmaster@theanalogdept.com
Webmaster: Steve Clarke
much of the imagery on this site is copyright © Steve Clarke, unless otherwise noted.
If you would like to use any of my imagery for your own purposes please contact me before doing so.
mailto: webmaster@theanalogdept.com >
Photo: Blown Away © Steve Steigman
This page was last updated on 08/14/18.
These pages are not sponsored in any way. If you like the information being offered, feel free to make a donation via the PayPal button below.