Thorens. Vintage or New?


I’m looking for a turntable and am considering a new Thorems TD-1600 or a vintage TD-125 mkii (restored and modded with a sorane ta-1 tonearm by vinyl nirvana). Any advice on sound/build quality/reliability of new vs old?

coos

Showing 3 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

Coincidentally, I woke up remembering the best bass I ever had:

Thorens TD124 (super heavy platter was the key IMO)

SME 3009 series 2

Shure V15Vxmr Beryllium Cantilever

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The TD124’s incredibly machined platter shaft with bottom bearing was sensitive to vertical movement. Unfortunately, my wood floors were too flexible (at former location), so after years of careful approach/retreat, no dancing, I Traded it for a spare Fisher 500C.

Dropped the Shure Beryllium stylus assembly two inches, super stiff Beryllium cantilever shattered.

I went for AT440ml and Shure’s mr (because it had Shure’s dynamic brush), both aluminum cantilever I think)

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Recently, I had Steve at VAS build me a Frankenstein stylus assembly: boron cantilever, advanced stylus (Steve calls ’P’) on a Shure stylus assembly with Shure’s damped brush. Fits both the Shure M97xe body and the V15Vxmr body.

BTW, Jico boron/shibata stylus with brush, the brush is not damped.

Steve at VAS has several TD125’s he showed me. That site to restore 125’s looks good here’s a search for restoring 124’s

https://www.google.com/search?q=restore+thorens+td124&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1042US1042&oq=restore+thorens+td124&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30j0i390i650l5.11143j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I saw a fabulous site for Garrard 301’s which are seldom mentioned here.

https://www.woodsongaudio.com/service/garrard-301-restoration-service

and this one

https://www.artisanfidelity.com/new-products

It’s great that these ancient wonders get so much respect. some of these do not have dust covers, which I need. have fun with your project.