Thorens TD124

Cayuga

I spent my weekend making a road trip to pick up some new to me gear. This TD124 is one of my new toys. I need info on the arm, I can't find any markings, so if you can help please chime in. Thanks

gdb

http://www.analogue-classics.com/html/thorens___overview.html

http://www.theanalogdept.com/index.html

Go to the canuck forum to chat with OBI56 about that table, if he can't help you, no one can.

Cayuga

Thanks for the tip.

RuSsMaN

That's an old one. Nice grab.

mhardy6647

I think there is quite a bit of informaton on www.vinylengine.com on the TD-124.
It is very much a cult piece; lots of big fans, mods, tweaks, etc.
It will need lots of work (likely some major as well as minor fiddlin') to give you the performance of which it is capable... but it is worth it - these are lifetime pieces when properly fed and cared for.

Cayuga

This is one one the pieces out of northern VT, what a mess that state is in after the heavy rains. My plan is to take this table to my service guys and let them do the bulk of the real work.

TNHNDYMAN

Nice find. Looks like a nice project.

inspiredsports

These links may help:

http://www.stefanopasini.it/Audio_index_Thorens.htm
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=274092
http://www.theanalogdept.com/esl.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hkgfDVroAA
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/esl/s-1000.shtml

That might be an approx 1959 ESL S1000 "gyro balance" arm

Cayuga

Thanks for the links and info on the arm.

stuwee

You got quite a find there, that ESL arm is pretty rare, the person who put it on must have really loved it. Lot's of info for you to decide how to progress with it above. Some swear to keep it stock as found and restore/rerfurb. Personally, I'd go with a nice SME 3009 for it, that was the upgrade arm for many Thorens from that era, and it's not as fiddely as it looks, very easy to set up and use, great sound with a nice Shure V15 III or IV. Very nice grab there :cool:

Cayuga

Thanks stuwee, I have several guys trying to get there hands on this table.

gdb

Let em have it. (for a price) Those are more of a cult than a readily useable table IMO. Intricate adjustments beyond what a belt or direct drive table require. Checked the tire surface on your idler wheel ?!?!:eek:

inspiredsports

gdb wrote: »

Let em have it. (for a price) Those are more of a cult than a readily useable table IMO. Intricate adjustments beyond what a belt or direct drive table require. Checked the tire surface on your idler wheel ?!?!:eek:

That's what makes vinyl so much fun!

Yes, it takes some work, but few turntables sound as good as a TD-124 once you get it spinning at precisely 33-1/3.

Also, once you get it "there", a 124 will remain consistent for a phenomenal amount of time.

stuwee

inspiredsports wrote: »

That's what makes vinyl so much fun!

Yes, it takes some work, but few turntables sound as good as a TD-124 once you get it spinning at precisely 33-1/3.

Also, once you get it "there", a 124 will remain consistent for a phenomenal amount of time.

Yep, like you'll be in the ground before it dies, it's a keeper unless someone offers you $3,000 for it.

I'd still swap that arm and flip it to a collector, just my 2 nickels

My 125 MK II has been going strong for almost 40 years, just belts and a few sips of oil every few years. Thorens' are just about the most reliable TT ever made, unless they've been abused or let sit for years with no useage.

Cayuga

What to do? What to do?

gdb

inspiredsports wrote: »

That's what makes vinyl so much fun!

Yes, it takes some work, but few turntables sound as good as a TD-124 once you get it spinning at precisely 33-1/3.

Also, once you get it "there", a 124 will remain consistent for a phenomenal amount of time.

I see it as.....the more time spent fiddlefu@l(ing around with finicky gear is less time for enjoying music.:biggrin: (2 Pioneers & a TD-145)

Cayuga

I understand what you're saying, some of the fun is in the fiddlefu@l.