Thorens, TD-125 MKII

The TP16 tonearm was an upgrade from the MK1 to the MK2. I have a TP16 on my TD160 and it’s just OK, nothing to rave about but it’s functional. Mission tonearms as well as the SME tonearms were popular upgrades. The vintage Thorens tables are a project. If that’s your friends aim, to improve on an old Thorens, then have fun and in the end, it’ll be worth it. Otherwise, how about a Rega? Rega’s aren’t built like a VPI but they sound very good given there price point.

dbphd, how did you tame the motor noise coming from the TD124?

The evolution of the Thorens was to eventually compete with the Linn Sondek hence the TD160 Super. Two reasons why I believe Thorens fell short;

1) Thorens made it more difficult to replace the tonearm since there TD124.

2) The TP16 tonearms didn't rise to the same standard as the Linn tonearms.

dbphd, dealers and owners that I’ve talked to have made claims of noise and advised me to stay away from buying a TD124. The motors for the TD124 and for the Garrard 301 are similar in that they are big, in order to meet the work load. The frustration seemed to be that the motor noise was impossible to tame so I’d see extremely heavy slate plinths’, etc…But technology changes and it could be that the tech who restored your Thorens knew of a way to keep it quiet. My guess is that if you ever decide to sell it, that you’ll ask for more than $500.00.

dpphd, only 85, I guess you’re not coasting yet.