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Thorens TD 125 MK II speed problems

Hi, I've got two Thorens TD 125 MK II's. The first, I have have had for years, with the original Thorens arm. I bought a second one on eBay with a SME arm. Then I moved to Thailand where electricity is 220/50. The SME table had been modified so that I couldn't change the fuse for 220, but it worked for a while with a step-down transformer before failing.

I started using the old table with the SME arm, but noticed that I could see speed variations. This despite a UPS and/or AVR.

I got various kinds of advice from all over, including cleaning everything, oiling the spindle, new belt and pulley, capacitor change and speed controller tweaking.

I got the help of a local technical wiz to do all of the above, but the old table would still not keep a steady speed over time. So, he got the eBay table working again, but is also varies in speed.

He's ready to try the capacitor change on this one, but other than that we don't know what to do.

I suspected that I might have electrical problems, but the UPS or AVR should correct for that.

I don't expect the table to start up to the correct speed, but I need it to stay where I set it long enough to correctly record a few records, which I'm archiving to FLAC (record once, listen many times).

What can I do to stabilize the speed at this point?

Thanks,
Gritingrooves
gritingrooves
4 responses Add your response
weiserb's avatar
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weiserb
476 posts
 
I think The Thorens is electronically regulated so it might be something in the power supply or electronic circuitry

www.analogique.com in NYC can usually fix anything but it might be cheaper in the long run to move on from the Thorens 125 to a Linn LP 12. That is what I did. The Linn destroys the Thorens and is much more reliable. I had a few 125s and they seem to be more problematic. The LP12S never have any mechanical issues. The sound upgrade with the Linn is HUGE
gritingrooves OP
22 posts
 
Thanks for your feedback, Weiserb. I'm looking into this, need to find the local price for the LP 12, etc. Seems like it has a good pitch control setup.

Right now my biggest Thorens problem is that the pitch control is too sensitive (after adjustments). If the table is running a bit too slow, a small adjustment makes it go to fast. Almost impossible to get it right according to the strobe (and my KAB SpeedStrobe).

I welcome any suggestions on how to convince the repairman that this can/must be fixed. He also wants me to think that my SpeedStrobe is lying to me, for some reason. I guess it is more accurate than the 3% variation of the table.

Any thoughts?
ddarch44's avatar
ddarch44
40 posts
 
I work on Thorens tables all the time, and unfortunately, I am now staying away from the 125 (MKI and MKII) due to their aging circuitry in the speed control domain. It seems on a couple of tables that the minute I solved one issue, another cropped up. The only way I am buying now is if I see it in person and it is operating without the least flaw and hesitation in all speeds, immediately at start up.

The Thorens TD-16_ and TD-14_ line are much more reliable with their AC synchronous motor design. Rarely a speed issue with those units, and when there is, it can be traced to a simple fix.

Dave
gritingrooves OP
22 posts
 
Weiserb,

Does the Linn LP 12 work well with pitch control? Any limitations on cartridge choice?

I read on the web that the Linn table has interesting sound characteristics, compared to other brands. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Gritingrooves
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