Restoring and Improving A Thorens TD-124 MKII

[kevinkr]

I actually use the clutch a lot, I play records for 3 - 4 hours at a stint.. That said the graphite mat idea is a good one, perhaps I can get Boston Audio to make me one.. I have another table that does not have the upper platter..

[SkyLounger]

Originally Posted by SkyLounger

Sorry to brag, but I'm kinda proud of this one.

I don't want to hijack Kevin's thread but wanted to show you guys the result of my restoration.

I bought this tt last winter from an older gentleman who was moving out of his house and into a smaller appartment. The tt was very dirty and not functionning.

Thanks to the help of Kevin and others (The Analog Dept.), I've managed to refurb this tt all by myself, except for the tonearm, which I sent to Alfred Kayser (SME Tonearms in Barrie, ON) for a complete rewire and rebuild.

Things done to the tt:

-motor rebuild
-improved motor suspension installed
-main bearing and thrustplate upgraded
-strobe lamp replaced
-main platter rubber discs upgraded
-new bubble level installed
-completely disassembled, cleaned, relubed and polished

Motor comes to speed in about 2-3 minutes with minute adjustments, platter spins for about 2min40sec. when powered off, completely silent...

Here are some before and after shots:

(don't mind the washer on the headshell...waiting for original lead counterweights )

Thanks for looking!


EDIT: sorry! not able to post pics... maybe too big? will try later.

Trying my hand at pics again...

Been playing the Thorens tonight; never ever thought vinyl could sound so good, and especially on a piece of equipment the is older than me (1957 vs 1963)!!!

pictures added!

[kevinkr]

Very cool pictures, Skylounger.. I note the use of the mandatory tracking force enhancement device on your headshell.. I've had to do this in a couple of instances with my Schick arm with lighter headshell/cartridge combos..

Mine is a very late II and I've not yet had anything that performs better.. The effort I put into mine has been well rewarded..

Would you like me to embed the pix in your post rather than linking them from an external site? (That way they will be here any time a member would like to see them regardless of what happens to the originals..)

[brianco]

SkyLounger,

PLEASE get a decent , rigid head-shell for that SME! Virtually any other (non-Thorens) shell will be an improvement!

[kevinkr]

Originally Posted by brianco

SkyLounger,

PLEASE get a decent , rigid head-shell for that SME! Virtually any other (non-Thorens) shell will be an improvement!

Check out the Audio Technica Universal Head Shell.. I'm using an AT-LH18/OCC (rather heavy) but there are a number of other lighter versions to choose from, one thing for sure is the commonly available light weight SME S2 head shell is not the best choice.. Yamamoto and AT make a variety of head shells that might be good choices.

[SkyLounger]

Originally Posted by kevinkr

I actually use the clutch a lot, I play records for 3 - 4 hours at a stint..

Same here... That tt sound sooooo good! I just can't stop...

[SkyLounger]

Originally Posted by kevinkr

Would you like me to embed the pix in your post rather than linking them from an external site? (That way they will be here any time a member would like to see them regardless of what happens to the originals..)

Go right ahead... I can't seem to find the trick!

Originally Posted by brianco

SkyLounger,

PLEASE get a decent , rigid head-shell for that SME! Virtually any other (non-Thorens) shell will be an improvement!

Really? what do you suggest? I wanted to keep it as stock as I could... I've added a 4.5g counterweight between the cart and headshell and it works fine for now!

I'm open to suggestions.

[kevinkr]

Originally Posted by SkyLounger

Go right ahead... I can't seem to find the trick!



Really? what do you suggest? I wanted to keep it as stock as I could... I've added a 4.5g counterweight between the cart and headshell and it works fine for now!

I'm open to suggestions.

Go to advanced, click on manage attachments for future reference.. I'll go ahead and add local copies of your pix to your post..

I highly recommend the AT line of head shells and perhaps a 12gm - 13 gm one would be about right..
Here's one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Audio-te...item1c1f0044ec (edit: replaced with link to more reasonably priced seller. I've done business with this one.)

Do weigh your whole head shell set up and make sure that any head shell you buy fits your mass requirements with the cartridge installed.

The AT LH series headshells are fantastic IMHO, and I prefer my 18gm AT-LH18 to my Orsonic with some cartridges..

[kevinkr]

One sort of annoying development since I installed the cast iron platter is that when I turn on the turntable the idler pulley now squeals briefly as the platter comes up to speed - which I will add occurs rather rapidly. (Much faster than on any of the old 124/I I have worked on including my 124/I which definitely do not have this particular problem.) The late motors based on my limited experience seem to develop significantly greater torque than the earlier motors depending on internal winding configuration in the motor in question.

Otherwise it works and sounds great.. Getting the clutch reset properly was a bit of a chore, but once done it too seems fine.

It seems like a new idler is in my future.

[SkyLounger]

Before I managed to work out all the kinks with the SME3012, I had ordered a Jelco SA750LB which I received today.

I have been playing the tt for a few days now and really like the sound of it with the SME.

Do you guys think the Jelco will be an improvement at all? If so, in what regards?

I have to admit that the classic looks of the 3012 really please me but the Jelco seems more sturdy and very well built...

Opinions?