WiredState Audio Community

Mamimili wrote:TD 124, SME 3009, Denon 103R

Congrats Paul! I too enjoy my classic Thorens/SME/Denon rig. I also found out that the Benz ACE (mid output on mine) works very very well with the 3009 arm(hint: Both are Swiss made). When you have the chance, try it and I bet you, you will buy more records.

regards,

Abe

jomar wrote:Count me in TD124 MK1 + SME 3009 S2 + AT440MLa

Jomar,

Please see my post above

Temptations, temptations.......

regards,

Abe

amandarae wrote:

Mamimili wrote:TD 124, SME 3009, Denon 103R

Congrats Paul! I too enjoy my classic Thorens/SME/Denon rig. I also found out that the Benz ACE (mid output on mine) works very very well with the 3009 arm(hint: Both are Swiss made). When you have the chance, try it and I bet you, you will buy more records.

regards,

Abe

Cheers Abe, yet another reason to buy more BP

Re your tip about the ball bearing, does your BB just sit on top of the hole or have you forced it in? Did you try anything else to fill the hole such as blue tack?
I note that the main pulley shaft has a BB, and the idler wheel shaft has either a BB or is solid and machined "round". I wonder if the speed pulley had a BB when original and everyone lost it??

I just looked and my speed pulley has 2 balance holes drilled! Amazing attention to detail

Mamimili wrote:

amandarae wrote:

Mamimili wrote:TD 124, SME 3009, Denon 103R

Congrats Paul! I too enjoy my classic Thorens/SME/Denon rig. I also found out that the Benz ACE (mid output on mine) works very very well with the 3009 arm(hint: Both are Swiss made). When you have the chance, try it and I bet you, you will buy more records.

regards,

Abe

Cheers Abe, yet another reason to buy more BP

Re your tip about the ball bearing, does your BB just sit on top of the hole or have you forced it in? Did you try anything else to fill the hole such as blue tack?
I note that the main pulley shaft has a BB, and the idler wheel shaft has either a BB or is solid and machined "round". I wonder if the speed pulley had a BB when original and everyone lost it??

I just looked and my speed pulley has 2 balance holes drilled! Amazing attention to detail

Hi Paul,

I am talking about the main pulley (motor) and the speed pulley. Now that I think about it, I think you got it right. There should have been BB's on top of both of the locations I mentioned and maybe during a routine maintenance cleaning, either I loss it or the original owner of the TT did many years ago.

Oh, the BB's just sit on top of the shaft, not forced in. Initially, i thought the function of the BB's is to seal the shaft opening from dust but was surprised that it made the pulley quieter.

regards,

Abe

amandarae wrote:

jomar wrote:Count me in TD124 MK1 + SME 3009 S2 + AT440MLa

Jomar,

Please see my post above

Temptations, temptations.......

regards,

Abe

oh tukso layuan mo ako

Just got the AT440MLa less than a month so pabayaan ko munang masulit and just buy some LPs to enjoy my analog rig. So far , it is a good starter cart. Baka kasi masira interest ko sa analog pag bumili ako mamahaling cart at nasira ko

As for the BB for the main pulley , i also noticed that mine doesn't have it. Strange if by just putting a BB on top on the hole make it more quieter If it is not forced or glued .. it would also be spinning which creates more vibrations hmmm masubukan nga .

Got TD-124 MK II with SME V tone arm and Ortofon MC 30 Supreme.... it's a gem...

Recently purchased a thorens TD160 super with an SME series III arm. I noticed that it does not have any feet under the plinth. Is this normal? If it is how can you adjust the level. Thanks

diego wrote:Recently purchased a thorens TD160 super with an SME series III arm. I noticed that it does not have any feet under the plinth. Is this normal? If it is how can you adjust the level. Thanks

I use the same to play grade LPs. It has four rubber feet under the plinth.

My Thorens TD 121 turntable finally arrived two weeks ago. Won it from ebay c/o Paragon audio USA. Its the stripped down version of the TD 124, running at 33 1/3 rpm only, no strobes, nor level. It came with the original Thorens tonearm and Shure V15 Pickering cartridge. Very good sounding MM / TT combination.
Although its in good/clean condition, I am contemplating a tonearm upgrade, maybe an SME The original plinth is likewise in a 8/10 condition, but am coordinating with Larry (Camotecue) for a posible wood replacement. Mike ( Killer Mike) will provide me an acryllic dust cover soon. A must in a dusty environment like ours. Replacement belt which is similar to a TD 124 arrived today. Nothing can compare with a new one.


Some questions that linger in my mind:

1. Aside from aesthetics, how much improvement in SQ will I get from a new plinth and tonearm?
2. Assumming I retain the Thorens tonearm, should I replace the original IC and power cables.
3. Can I cover the underside of the plinth, to preserve the mechanical parts without risk of overheating the motor?
4. Should I just add a 2nd tonearm at the rear end.
5. If I change the plinth, gloss, semi gloss, flat, or oil finish is best ? Solid or Layered?

Its a fun hobby indeed! Keeps me sane in this stressfull life of ours.

Will post images soon.

Congrats on your acquisition of a fine classic!

I think it would be wiser to take things a step at time, first priority IMO is to make sure the unit is working up to spec. Plinth, additional tonearm and other tweaks can come later so that you can hear if they were worth the expense. These were fine performing units in their day so it would be nice to hear them as they were designed.

michael corleone wrote:Got a TD 160 with stock arm as my back up and third tt.Auditioned it for several days and it never went back to the seller anymore.Better than budget and entry level new models IMO.

eto ba yun? mas maganda na yung cart na nakakabit ngayon

setup1 wrote:Congrats on your acquisition of a fine classic!

I think it would be wiser to take things a step at time, first priority IMO is to make sure the unit is working up to spec. Plinth, additional tonearm and other tweaks can come later so that you can hear if they were worth the expense. These were fine performing units in their day so it would be nice to hear them as they were designed.

Great inputs Joseph I am planning to give Joel (SET Up 2) a visit soon. Perhaps I can get an expert advise if my TT is up to specs. and what direction to take. Your right, just a tone arm upgrade can cost one an arm and a leg

Owner? Yes, User? not yet as i don't have the "time" (to bring this to someone who can fix and properly set this up) and plinth as i'm planning to have two tonearm (mono) stromberg carlson???? and sme 3009 series 2. btw is it possible to have 2 tonearms in one plinth if the other tonearm is not a 12 incher?

doasmarx wrote:Owner? Yes, User? not yet as i don't have the "time" (to bring this to someone who can fix and properly set this up) and plinth as i'm planning to have two tonearm (mono) stromberg carlson???? and sme 3009 series 2. btw is it possible to have 2 tonearms in one plinth if the other tonearm is not a 12 incher?

Try mo pa set up kay Noly bro. Lapit lang sya sa iyo. Ganda-ganda naman

diyakpat!
vintage Thorens 121 and a new production Technics SL 1200 = best of both worlds
congratulations to my good friend.

skeesix wrote:My work in progress Thorens TD 121 The left selector is just an on/off switch instead of a speed selector for the TD 124.
Installed a new belt awhile ago. The difference in length is about half an inch. The old one has stretched a bit.
Still doubtful of speed accuracy though.

CONGRATULATIONS Capt. Skee! Tama si Kabubs, DYAKPAT!!

Dax, pwede yang 2 arms, you can PM TAS or Hyper...Ganda gawan niyan ng plinth c/o camotecue, tapos 2-arms, yahoo!

Thanks Buboy and Jen!

I am just amazed by the analog sound the Thorens TD 121 is singing, considering the MM cartridge it came with. I did an A-B test between the Technics Sl1200 Mk5 with Denon 103r and the TD121 with the V15 Pickering cart into MRs Compactron phono stage. Two different worlds! The Td121 is warm and sweet sounding, while the Sl 1200 Mk V is more accurate and detailed.
I like the old technology mechanical design of the TD 121. Levers, pulleys, belt, idler wheel, etc. Its a toy you can clean, lubricate, and fiddle with.
The Sl 1200 being new, is left untouched.

skeesix wrote:I like the old technology mechanical design of the TD 121. Levers, pulleys, belt, idler wheel, etc. Its a toy you can clean, lubricate, and fiddle with.

Amen to that. toys for the boys

skeesix wrote:My work in progress Thorens TD 121 The left selector is just an on/off switch instead of a speed selector for the TD 124.
Installed a new belt awhile ago. The difference in length is about half an inch. The old one has stretched a bit.
Still doubtful of speed accuracy though.

latest improvements on my thorens TD121
-home brew solid narra plinth and record rack with the help of a master carpenter
-plexiglass cover c/o K Mike
-spikes
-shure v15 type 3 cart
-did the router works and finishing using min wax poly urethane varnish
-Vintage Sansui 9090 db integrated amp and Denon DCD 1500 II cd player from the USA