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Any one old enough to remember?

30 or so years ago when I was a grad student I bought a Thorens TD125MK-II turntable and mounted a "Formula 4" arm and a Sonus Blue cartridge on it. After storing it a number of years, I've set it up again and rediscovered my record collection - some horrors and some delights. Since I've recently upgraded my... well, I admit it, everything else... I'm now faced with a decision. Do I replace my elderly cartridge? the cartridge and arm? the whole thing?

Anyone been around long enough to remember anything about this arm and cartridge to know wheher it is worth keeping the arm and replacing the cartridge, or to advise me on how well my old Thorens (which still maintains its speed after a belt transplant) is likely to stack up against newer stuff? I've read a number of the other analog threads, but not seen this particular issue addressed.

Your collective wisdom would be most appreciated. Let's say for the sake of conversation that my budget for a completely new setup could be $1500-2000.

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lfb44
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muzikat
921 posts
 
Skip,
Go to audioasylum.com - Vinyl Asylum, type in Thorens in the search box. A great many threads that may help you. There is quite a following for Thorens turntables. Hope this helps:~)
hee
22 posts
 
Keep the Forumla4 and Thorens (I like them!) and buy a new cartridge, the cartridge's damping should not in an optimum state.
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I had the Sonus Blue as well and it was nice and sweet just a little light in the bass. I agree the dampening has hardened by now.
grandpad
151 posts
 
The Mayware Formula 4 and Sonus Blue made a great combo, I still have mine boxed away as well. Like a number of other contributers I would have to believe that the cartridge is a bit suspect now, but let your ears be the judge.

This arm restricts you to low mass, high compliant cartridges, perhaps something in the Goldring line. Grado may be an option, but some say that they hum with metal platters, which the Thorens has if memory serves.
jvia
195 posts
 
I understand you on the LPs, I don't have a bride but I did just get offered 1000+ lps that have been played exactly once to record on to reel tape, all I have to do is go pick them up a few miles away. I have also been offered the tapes as well, but the LP part of it has got a huge grip on me. About 50% of it not my kind of music,, but a once played 40 year collection of LP's is quite a collection, so I am weighing my tt options as well.
I think though in your case oe this case, if it were me I would just try a couple of different cartridges. 125 MK II was
just a good table, and that wasn't a bad arm. I'd be looking at a couple of the Grado's and going from there
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