Thorens TD 125 with SME 3012

[Karrry]

Hi everyone,
I just came across this turntable Thorens TD 125 with plinch and SME 3012 tonarm (no cartrige). seems in good working order. the owner asked 400 usd for it.

is this a good price for the Thorens? if not which should be a fair one?
any early reply is much appreciated.

Karry

 

[DAVOhorn]

Dear Karry,

I also have a TD 125 with SME 3012 in an SME plinth.

I also wonder how much it would be worth.

regards david
Australia

 

[analog_sa]

I also wonder how much it would be worth.

The Thorens - about nothing; the SME 1-1k5 depending on condition.

 

[Karrry]

thx for your reply.
but do you mean that the Thorens TD 125 is not worth?

I was told this is a TD 125 LB (with SME 3012 while other comes with SME 3009). does it make any sense?

K

 

[Shaun]

The TD125 looks better built than the other Thorens models I have owned.

See here and here.

Good luck!

 

[analog_sa]

thx for your reply.
but do you mean that the Thorens TD 125 is not worth?

The tt with no arm may be worth about $250-350, similarly to a bare LP12, no arm, no Valhalla. It is still a very nice tt.

 

[Karrry]

thx again.

1 more question: how much would a SME cartrige cost? and is it easy to find? (this SME 3012 doesn't have one).

K

 

[Shaun]

SME is not a manufacturer of cartridges. Actually, there are many cartridges you can choose from today from various manufacturers such as Denon, Ortofon, Shure, Audio Technica and many more... it's a whole 'nuther adventure!

Do a google search for "phono cartridge" or "stylus". I'm sure you'll even get some recommendations here.

 

[Karrry]

Just brought the TT 125 home.
It turns out a very rare TD 125 LB (Long Base) with SME 3012 and a Technics 300MC. (320 usd, a deal)

work great and sonically perfect. happy.

thank you all.
K

 

[dnewma04]

Excellent deal. Congrats.

 

[Shaun]

Great! Do post some pics for us...

 

[Karrry]

just some quick pics. better resolution come latter.
cheer.

 

[Pano]

Wow! Niiiice......

 

[Johnloudb]

That is really nice and excellent price too. I've seen people asking $800 to $1500 on Audiogon. I've got a Thorens TD125 with a Rabco SL-8E and I really like it. What does long base mean? I see the plinth is very different from mine. Looks more solid and thats good since the a plinth like I've got could definitely be more solid.

 

[Karrry]

LB or long base is a special version of the TT 125, which has a longer base to suit the longer tonarm SME 3012 (as compared with standard base for the shorter tonarm 3009).

the plinch is an original SME one.

K