Thorens TD 148A

Thorens TD 148A

Looking again to the Seventies, you’d be forgiven for not being disillusioned in regards to the variety of improvements that the flip of the Millennium really delivered. From a Jetsons-like fantasy the place the whole lot is automated, flying automobiles are the norm and each home has a robotic butler, the fact comes throughout as one thing of an anti-climax. And it’s straightforward to know why. Back then you might be woken by a teasmaid that had ready your brew for you or may sit again and hearken to music as your turntable of selection did all of the heavy lifting so you might hear from the consolation of your couch. Arguably the choose of the automated turntables was Thorens TD-224, which first appeared on the scene in 1962. Like one thing from a Doctor Who episode, it gave a tantalising imaginative and prescient of the longer term by selecting a brand new report from a stack alongside the platter each time the earlier LP reached the top with a view to maintain the music flowing. While music streaming options are undoubtedly the present day equal, they lack the Heath-Robinson allure of computerized vinyl spinners, and so it’s one thing of a retro thrill to disclose that the TD 148A that sits earlier than us right here is Thorens newest addition to its present vary of totally computerized turntables.

As the flagship providing from the German firm’s totally computerized fashions, the TD 148A bears greater than a passing resemblance to the semi-automatic TD 1601 (HFC 470)with its TP92 tonearm. However, the brand new TP95 chilly drawn tube with its rubber/alloy damper collar fitted midway alongside its size takes over proceedings right here. It comes, after all, with a counterweight and spring-loaded downforce adjustment. Its bearing housing has additionally been given an replace in order that it now’s extra according to different Thorens choices in addition to not trying too dissimilar from what we’ve seen from fellow compatriot Dual.

Otherwise, the Thorens DNA working via the TD 148A is unmistakable. The plinth is available in a selection of walnut and gloss black finishes and the belt-drive system at its coronary heart is powered by a 12V DC motor run from an exterior PSU. Providing loads of torque, start-up time is impressively speedy, although it’s not the quietest motor you’ll ever see. The Thorens branded belt is looped round a plastic sub-platter onto which a 2.3kg glass platter rests. A bundled felt mat sits on high of this and a selection of three velocity settings (33, 45 and 78rpm) is offered by a change on the left of the chassis.

Setup is suitably easy and even vinyl virgins ought to discover that they’ll be up and working with little in the way in which of stress. Simply take away the transportation locks, match the belt, place the platter information over the spindle and add the mat. Tracking drive and anti-skating are simply adjusted, due to dials on and across the base of the tonearm’s gimbal housing. Placement on a stage and strong floor is crucial because the ft aren’t adjustable and, for that matter, not particularly convincing relating to absorbing the turntable from exterior vibrations. Ortofon’s 2M Blue moving-magnet cart comes provided, whereas a hinged mud cowl that simply attaches to the again can be bundled.

Though not particularly heavy, there’s a reassuring robustness to the chassis and a formidable construct high quality that ensures that the controls are mild, however convincing in motion. Look below the hood contained in the plinth and the equipment that makes the magic occur by way of automation is a marvel of miniature engineering.

Operation continues the theme of simplicity. Choose your velocity, set the report dimension lever to the suitable place (30cm for a 12in and 17cm for a 7in) after which press Start – it’s that straightforward. The TD 148A now takes over, spinning the platter in control earlier than elegantly lifting the tonearm and gently putting the stylus into the lead-in groove. Once the report reaches the top (or the management lever is moved into the Stop place), the mechanism reverses the method, gently lifting the arm and returning it to its resting place earlier than switching off the platter. Should you want to take action, you may ignore the auto system and function issues manually within the conventional manner, however why would you wish to? The solely minor niggle is that there is no such thing as a auto-start setting for 10in discs, which contemplating that 78rpm is offered appears like a little bit of an – admittedly minor – oversight.

Sound high quality
In a lot the identical manner that the automated controls allow the listener to overlook about returning the tonearm to its resting place, the efficiency equally makes it straightforward to disregard the hi-fi capabilities and simply benefit from the music. Partnered with PMC’s twenty5.24 floorstanding speaker, consistency is the important thing takeaway right here: the TD 148A dealing with treble, mid and bass with equal sensitivity and management. Arguably the primary purpose behind that is the Ortofon 2M Blue, which though usually provides some sparkle to proceedings right here sounds impartial – suggesting that the deck itself has a barely comfortable disposition.

The top-end is each candy and clear, with loads of element straightforward to select. This is all offered with an interesting sense of poise and polish in order that cymbals and excessive percussion are reproduced with no trace of hardness.

Kicking issues off with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, it appears apposite to place the Thorens via its paces with the Spring motion. As the refrain of violins soars out into the room it’s troublesome to flee the sensation that although the Ortofon 2M Blue is a superb performer, it’s at coronary heart an inexpensive design with a bent to often over step the mark. The result’s that whereas there may be an appropriately thrilling sense of power to the efficiency it is rather a lot on the expense of any sense of subtlety.

Pleasingly, switching to music with a extra digital or acoustic lilt sees a number of the finer nuances reappear. For instance the accompanying piano on Runrig’s The Story shows the kind of heat and richness that’s extra generally related to far costlier rivals. There is simply the correct quantity of overhang to each word to evoke the impression that you simply’re listening to an actual instrument in a plausible acoustic. From the identical album, Rise And Fall delivers fantastically targeted central photographs with the vocals of Bruce Guthro and Rory Macdonald locked bang within the centre of the soundstage as they belt out their elements. The flipside of this, nevertheless, is that there’s a slight dilution to the motion happening within the faraway boundaries of the soundstage. And so it proves right here, with the stereo photographs convincingly marshalled to the fore ensuing within the focus being on particular hotpsots throughout the width of the stage, moderately than portray a giant and uniform musical image. With the primary vocals situated within the centre of the soundstage, each the backing devices and vocals seem extra tied right down to the left and proper audio system. As a outcome, the backing vocals on Rise And Fall are too simply drowned out by the primary protagonists, moderately than complementing them. It’s like listening to a three-channel setup (left, proper and centre audio system) the place there may be little in the way in which of overlap between the three.

And it’s not simply vocals. Ordinarily, the solo piano on Elegy reveals some distinctive background results because the pedals are used, nevertheless right here these are as soon as once more squeezed out into the background leaving the power of the efficiency to dominate.

While all of this is happening the decrease registers are fairly nicely represented. Throughout the testing interval the bass stays agency, pretty detailed and decently tactile. While it received’t supply the kind of thump to the sternum that the easiest can when fed a pounding dance beat, its usually taut dealing with of rock and pop music is greater than as much as the job. Correctly sited on a stage floor, the turntable by no means flounders or booms and is in a position to select deeper bass components with obvious ease. Upper bass is extra vividly detailed nonetheless because the TD 148A’s wonderful velocity stability blesses it with an impressively safe sense of tunefulness. The bass guitar begins and stops with clear precision, whereas the woody resonance and richness of acoustic bass sounds completely plausible – very a lot as we’ve come to anticipate from Thorens.

Conclusion
Easy to setup for newcomers and seasoned audiophiles alike, the TD 148A is superbly constructed, consumer pleasant and gives the kind of comfort in use that’s best for those who don’t wish to have to depart the consolation of their armchair. Admittedly, it does fall somewhat wanting the excessive requirements which are set by Thorens’ handbook turntables – significantly relating to soundstaging – however the inclusion of the Ortofon 2M Blue is a worthy addition. Whether or not you’re keen to make the compromise for the sake of comfort is one thing you’ll should resolve for your self. HFC    

DETAILS
Product: Thorens TD 148A
Type: Open-back headphone

FEATURES
● 33/45/78rpm
● TP95 tonearm
● Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge

Read the complete evaluation in  Issue 476

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March 6, 2024 at 04:11PM