Thorens TD124 “Mk1”/Mk2 plinth

I think the main difference is mk1 had a ferrous platter that can play havoc with a LOMC, whereas the mk2 platter is nonferrous. So yes there probably is no difference as regards the plinth. If I’m in error I trust I’ll be rapidly corrected.

Thanks. I got in touch with a guy in latviia who sells these on eBay and he assures me there’s only one pattern.

A dealer in my area is a BIG fan of the 124 and has reconditioned dozens of them likes the ferrous subplatter much more than the non-magnetic aluminum subplatter.  He is not concerned with magnetic attraction from powerful MC magnets.  If you want something that has the sonic properties of the ferrous subplatter without magnetic attraction, a company named Schopper sells such a replacement.

I’ve read that name - Schopper - in several forums.

I’m big on LOMC carts. Have been using an Ortofon Verismo for about 18 months, have a VDH Stradivarius Koa XGW I have yet to put on my TT - I don’t even have it unpacked yet, or my audio room finished. Just moved into a new home - hopefully the last - on a farm. Have plenty to do already but I keep plugging away at several hobbies at a time. I’ll look into the company.  Thanks.

I’m using a collection of Ortofon SPUs on my ferrous sub platter. I do use a thicker mat and have raised my tonearms a bit to correct the angle.  I do not have any issues whatsoever with magnetic forces on the cartridges. 

Yes, it might be more of a theoretical, rather than a practical, issue.  My dealer puts very expensive cartridges, like Platinum Signature Rosewood Koetsu cartridges on modern tonearms (typically Ortofon, Triplanar, or Audio Noe) on idler tables like the Thorens 124 and Garrard 301 and 401 and Lenco tables.  Of these tables, he likes the Thorens 124 the most.  

Great choice, I wish I had kept my TD124, it produced the best bass I ever had (with V15Vxmr beryllium cantilever tracking at 1.0gm on SME 3009) but that wonderfully machined bearing is very susceptible to vertical transmission, my floors were too springy, so think about it’s location, perhaps a wall shelf.

It's metal frame is solid, you do not need to stiffen it, you simply need to isolate it from any vibration getting to it.

Larry, you fail to specify whether the TD124 that causes no issues with the various cartridges you name is a mk1 or mk2 type. One sensitive way to check for magnetic attraction is to set VTF with a digital gauge and then, with the gauge still in place, gently raise the headshell by a mm or 2, and see whether the gauge goes negative briefly in the process.

I use Decca cartridges which incorporate relatively large magnets with my MKI TD124. I have no issue with the original iron sub platter EXCEPT this: I make tracking weight adjustment for these cartridges with an LP vinyl placed on the platter mat. The mat incorporates metal or other material interwoven (Auditorium 23), however the magnetic pull of the platter still affects downforce on the cartridge if downforce reading is taken with only the mat in place. Placement of an LP under the stylus to then check tracking weight, for my system, is the only way to obtain a more or less accurate readout. YMMV.