Charles Turner:

After a successful and rewarding build of Mark's Tercel last Christmas I have my eyes set on a vintage Thorens TD 124.  I will keep my Rega P25 - Micro Benz H2 combo for a reference point but I would like to rebuild/build up a TD 124.  I have found a wealth of information on the web and, with a bit of patience, seems to be something I will find fun and rewarding.  I will probably couple it with a SME 3009 arm (or a SME 3012 if I can find one at a reasonable price) and decide on the plinth and cartridge as I get more into the project. 

Question:  if I find a nice one...probably on ebay...what suggestions does anyone have on how to package and ship it.  I read a  thread recently on this site between Allan, Scott, and Gary about rebuilding one so perhaps they have some recommendations on shipping.

Also, if anyone has any thoughts on what to look for, eg things that could be wrong with one of these that is either difficult or expensive to repair, it would be appreciated.  Same question on SME arms

thanks in advance

BTW...this will be used in line with the Tercel, a McIntosh C15 SS pre, a McIntosh MC225, and Cornwalls with ALK crossovers in a vinyl only system 

 

Hey Charles,

Did you get the help you needed from this thread?  It seems to have strayed way off course. 

Charles Turner:

Also, if anyone has any thoughts on what to look for, eg things that could be wrong with one of these that is either difficult or expensive to repair, it would be appreciated.

Don't buy that rusty one on eBay right now!  Another one currently on eBay does not come with the top platter.  Steer clear, I don't think you can find one to replace it. 

Charles, have you perused A-goN?

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?anlgtabl&1215286485 

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1214954837 Too late but Mover got a good penny for this one!

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1214093933 They do pop up but one must be vigilant

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1213310375 Sounds close to Mike L's table, clean

Not to leave Bill's selection off

http://www.needledoctor.com/Technics-Turntable-SL-1200-MK2?sc=2&category=361 

Good luck on your venture Charles

Amy, thanks...I have received some excellent information

Fini...yes I'm staying away from the rusted one and the one without the platter.  Actually there was one I wanted but I could not get out of a meeting in time to nap it off ebay,  I'm watching audiogon too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thorens-TD-124-Turntable-Early-Vintage_W0QQitemZ160237270593QQihZ006QQcategoryZ48649QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem 

It's hard to evaluate the sme tonearms on ebay...the prices are all over the map...there's a 3012 out there now that looks nice but I suspect it will go for about 1200.  The 3009 are much more reasonable but I've seen them go from 300 to 700.

thanks