hmmm, 3 folks I know have asked about the TD124 just this month. that's unusual...the TD124 has been around a long time now and only a handful WS guys own them. why th esudden interest?
a recent issue of Stereophile (magazine) has an article on the TD124 ... bingo, so that's what started this sudden interest
... i guess, Stereophile has such a strong following locally that anything they feature must be good, right? well, not all the time, but this time, YES! in fact some folks think you don't qualify as a high-end guy locally unless you have gear featured at Stereophile...hehehe? right? wrong.
guess, the guys who really started using the TD124 in a serious rig were the setup boys. a visit at the JELabs site gives you some helpful info on this classic table....the Tono boys are also Thorens fans (4 out of 5 own a Thorens, 3 are TD124s)...interesting, 4 of 5 Tonomen own a Clearaudio too! anyway, have you noticed, more interest now on the SET amps? hehehe...look at the JELabs site...been there for years...you mean, it's only now folks are discovering the "pure" sound?
you guessed again, Stereophile has started to feature more SET amps on their pages, thus the renewed interest...
watch out for vintage amps...been there for years, and long been ignored. wait when Stereophile features them...then suddenly the rush to own them locally ... hehehe... i think they have featured the Eico HF81 recently...any buyers?
back to the TD124. is it worth the price? donno, but here's my experience and take.
i must admit, i've been influenecd by the passion JE had on these (including the Garrard), so i started to hint one at ebay. a seller posted a unit (near mint) with extra parts and even 3 headshells/carts. it didn't come cheap of course.
it arrived in great shape, except for the aluminum top platter (got dented along the way due to packing). eveything else was as described. condition of the mechanicals was superb. seller even included extra rubber mushrooms and wheel. the SME arm was also in very good shape. i was happy. except that when i plugged it in (110v), it didn't move. turned-out the sleeve at the spindle was stuck...i asked for help from one of the TD masters (setup2). after a couple of weeks, i had a running unit...thanks to setup2!
lessons learned:
1. make sure the sleeve on the spindle is in good condition. if not, replace them. an earlier model has plastic sleeves. replace these with metal ones no matter what others tell you.
2. use the manual to properly set the platter and top platter...lubricating as per instructions. platter should spin effortlessly and almost indefinitely even when motor turned off...its swiss, and indeed a precision device.
3. aluminum top platter - if yours is in perfect shape, use it. however, i prefer operating the table without it. some actually like this set-up (without top platter) better, but if you're a purist, go ahead and use the top platter. to compensate for the height, i used a machined acrylic platter and a record mat on top. if i have the time, i'll have the platter re-painbted to some flat black (it's light green stock). i adjusted vta of course. well, i have a more solid sounding rig with lower noise floor than using the top platter. but experiment yourself.
4. suspension - it has none. use the rubber mushrooms as per instructions to secure and isolate the table from the plinth. table must be in a stable location.
5. plinth - the best plinth are those made of solid wood or layers of plywood. this helps dampen resonances and vibrations. the common ones are those that only box the table. this is not advisable. some may look good but they are not as effective. the Sterophile article features one of those solid ones. JELabs site has detailed instructions for DIYers. forget the box types which are hollow inside (i have two of those and they are yours for free if you like them).
6. arm - go for the classic SMEs. mine is a 9 incher but the 12 would be better. it's a fine one (am sure there are others better, but more expensive) and somehow complements the sound and the looks of the 124.
7. headshell/cartridge - have at least two. makes cart-rolling a breeze. for carts, there are lotsof options. skip the ultra expensive ones (over $1000). go for the classic carts as well which other 124 owners use.
finally, the sound: a good set-up will reward you with a warm/lush and engaging sound - decent bottom with less detail and extension than modern tables/carts. if you like the classic sound of nat king cole, sinatra, ella, jobim, coltrane, miles, the 124 will not disappoint... only quibble - it has a higher noise floor and when you crank up the volume a little past normal, you can hear the table, the motor...but these easily get drowned by the music... just relax and enjoy!