GENUINE THORENS DRIVE BELT
Genuine branded Thorens drive belts to suit the following models...
TD 105-126MKIII (except TD111, TD124)
TD 145-146V
TD 147
TD 160-166VI
TD 316-325
TD 280-280III
TD 290
TD 295
Sure, there are belts "to suit Thorens" out there, manufactured
by various companies around the world, but as you'll read below,
the drive belt of a Thorens turntable has more functions than simply turning
the platter.
Serious sound degradation can result from the use of belts which don't
meet the exacting specifications of the Thorens branded product.
Often, these substitutes will be wider than the original, rubbing on the guides, causing loss/distortion/smearing of the sonic signal in the process.
A second-rate belt will not allow optimum performance from your Thorens deck.
The importance of the drive belt to sonic integrity is best summed up by Rolf Kelch, former Thorens Product Manager...
"...the belt itself is an important part of the overall suspension scheme. The job it must do is complex. The flat belt drives the inner driven-platter by friction. In order to produce exceptional sound, the belt must maintain constant velocity between the motor pulley and the driven inner platter. Any belt slippage or variation in rotational speed of the driven-platter caused by belt action will degrade sonic output. At the same time, the belt is relied upon to allow independent motion of the suspended chassis. In truth, the belt will exert some influence on the action of the floating sub-chassis. Be sure that all this was taken into account by the original designers. The belt is an integral part of the suspension design.
Thirty years later we find many of these turntable models have held up well over the decades and may only require a belt replacement. Unfortunately, the company that built these tables no longer exists."
Price: $44.95 ( includes GST and shipping within Australia )
