Restoring and Improving A Thorens TD-124 MKII

[Bruno Rivademar]

I wish he would make CNC step pulleys for the mk too

 

[kevinkr]

MKI Step Pulley here: http://www.audiosilente.com/spare-p...24-new-stepped-pulley-thorens-td-124-mk1.html

Unfortunately none for the MKII, but replacement bushings are available for the MKII pulley.

 

[kevinkr]

Not with the Thorens. Thorens is strong. Thorens don't even care 😎
But yeah that would be the correct way to do it.

I can confirm this, but I use Dr. Feikert PlatterSpeed with a test record with the required tone. (3kHz IIRC)

 

[Bruno Rivademar]

Hi.
Thinking about placing a Mu-metal sheet between the iron platter and the upper platter.
Would this provide protection against magnetic atraction to cartridges?

 

[Bruno Rivademar]

Hmm.. Right so aparently that's not going to work lol.
Getting rid of the iron platter and replacing it with a Schopper non magnetic seems to be the only way?

 

[Netlist]

The poor man's solution I used was to add an SL1200 rubber mat. It's 6mm thick and reduces the magnetism quite significantly. The tonearm was hightened with the same 6mm. The magnetism is in my case strongest at the outer side of the platter and decreases after the first 1 - 1.5 cm towards the inside. The difference can be seen when one makes a recording of a steady tone from a test LP and looks at the pan and phase spectral displays. The first half minute (of the outer grooves) show a deviation from the center position of both pan an phase due to excessive stylus force. Not anymore with the added mat.

 

[Netlist]

Here is an example of a pan spectrum of the first 1.5 minute with the first 20-30 seconds off center:

 

[Subuckethead]

Great tables, I made a base for my ThorensTT simple 1/4" marine ply, hardwood glued/screwed overlay for xtra spike strength. Brass hardware only for personal candy it cant be seen while playing. Will follow two up currently having sign in woes.

 

[Bruno Rivademar]

@Netlist
Great! Didn't think a few mm would make the difference.
Thanks a lot!

 

[WntrMute2]

Does anyone know the thread diameter and pitch of the studs the adjusting wheels ride on? The 4 that are at the corners of the TD-124.
Thanks
Dave

 

[killie99]

It’s M5 coarse pitch (0.8mm)

 

[WntrMute2]

Thanks! Now I blew my neon bulb trying to hook it up to the mains voltage (bypassing my speed controller). Any sources for a replacement? Preferably in the USA.
Thanks

 

[kevinkr]

eBay usually is a good source for replacement neons. Other options are an electronic replacement strobe also on eBay.

How do you know your neon lamp is bad?

 

[WntrMute2]

Ebay doesn't seem to have them. When I hooked it up to 120V it sparked and then didn't work. Jaap from Hanze said to hook it to mains voltage to bypass the speed controller I built which regulates Hz to affect speed. I wanted the strobe to still be accurate.

 

[kevinkr]

I take it you left out the 33K series resistor? (The resistor is required)

Here is the lamp: https://www.ebay.com/itm/364124469805

 

[WntrMute2]

I must have. Thanks for the link. I was hoping to find one that delivered sooner than late next month.

 

[kevinkr]

Unfortunately the real deal is pretty rare and usually located somewhere else. I have tried other bulbs and they just don't work that well.

 

[WntrMute2]

I'll get one ordered and look for something closer while I'm waiting.
Thanks

 

[henrylrjr]

Has anyone used the Audio Vault spindle oil? https://audiovault.ca/product/turntable-lubricant-adhesive-iso68/
Thanks

 

[henrylrjr]

Has anyone used the Audio Vault spindle oil? https://audiovault.ca/product/turntable-lubricant-adhesive-iso68/
Thanks