Mr Thorens

Well during a short stay recently I ventured into a HMV store. This is what I saw. Huge amount of vinyl for sale. It was overwhelming what can be bought. Also the Beatles Story exhibition is interesting. There’s a re creation of the Cavern Club and also the tape machine they used to record early material.

Maybe not exactly tantalising. But this is what HRH the Queen has on the Royal Yacht Brittania as the Royal family’s record player from the day.

Did some work on creating anew plinth. Made of Bunnings Hardwood Project panels three layers with steel plates inside. Now weighs approx 30kg, and the mass does improve the sound.

I agree. And I have a spare one I’m happy to sell if needed.

High mass tonearm with Ortofon OM cart - won’t work well. The OM cart is very good sounding in lighter tonearm but was flat sounding on a heavier one. A good match to put on a Lenco is the Ortofon AS212. It’s the correct length for the Lenco and matches the OM for compliance. It’s also very good sounding.

I always thought that effective mass wasn’t relevant to the counterweight - the CW is there to counterbalance what is already a heavy arm so the cartridge has correct tracking weight.

Further testing today. As good as the Thor is at reducing noise from an overall perspective the Belkin Pro 4000 is superior on high current integrated amp. The $139 Belkin also is superior to the $700 Isotek Polaris as it cleans things up, opens up soundstage and unlike the Polaris doesn’t seem to crush dynamics. It’s a great buy.

Here’s the inside of Isotek Polaris for comparison. It has superior sockets each individually wired in. But less filtration (doesn’t have the iron cores) and also relies on PCB tracking therefore whilst reducing noise it also some softness in dynamics (not as much as the Thor). The effect on dynamics was the main thing I noticed when going to the Belkin 4000. Filtering just as effective, but very little loss of dynamics with the Belkin.

Yes that’s seems to have the usual parts but I’m no expert in this. Has more filtering inside then the Isotek Polaris for example and you can hear it.

Yes the integrated amp is through it that’s the thing being stifled a bit. Digital components and TV is good.

Well tonight I’ve noticed something with the Thor. Whilst it cleans up the signal and makes the space sound blacker, especially good with solo piano, when moving to jazz and rock I notice some loss of bass depth and speed. So it’s time for a look inside. Here’s pics. The current runs through PCB tracks and 17AWG (1.0mm2) hookup wire. So it might be softening dynamics. The Belkin Pro 4000 board doesn’t have this issue, although it’s not quite as quiet.

Thanks I’ll let you know shortly

More information Belkin vs Thor today. Equipment used: Audia Flight FL3s amp, Technics SP10mk2 TT, Ortofon Quintet Bronze cart, Wilson Benesch speakers. Test tracks Daft Punk Georgio by Morodo and Lose Yourself to Dance. Thor is quieter, enables slightly more nuance and hidden detail and timbre particularly when things get complex and better 3D detail into space. Seems more resolved. However on bass notes it is a little bit less impactful. That’s not to say it isn’t there, just has slightly less dynamics and slam compared to the Belkin. Or maybe what I’m hearing from the Belkin is more noise masquerading as slam. The Belkin doesn’t lose any dynamics compared to plugging in direct to the wall but it’s filtering isn’t quite as effective as the Thor. Belkin is a bit less resolved and the Thor opens up the soundstage quite a bit more. Thor might filter more out with a little loss of macro dynamics. Bass is still low and deep on the Thor just a little bit less punch maybe. Possible the difference is the Thor has 1.0mm gauge cable, the Belkin 1.5mm. But either way they’re both very good at their jobs. Like them both. But for me the Thor wins.

Item: the Beatles 1962/66 and 1967/70 Japanese with OBI Location: Ridgehaven SA Price: $90 incl post Item Condition: Mint Reason for selling: Spare copies Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal, EFT Extra Info: The quintessential Beatles compilations on super quiet Japanese vinyl. Photos:

I’m planning to try the Goldring 1012GX