Allan Songer

I built my system around listening to old mono (and some stereo) jazz LPs (it does OK with jazz CDs too). I know what my system can and CAN NOT do and I'm OK with the shortcomings. I don't listen to rock, pop or classical music, so the fact that my hi-fi pretty much blows (and it does!) when playing hard rock or classical is of little concern. But goodness gracious sakes alive you should hear those old jazz records!!!

LOL Give me a break.My opinion is "worth" the same as yours or anyone else's in here. That's why it's called OPINION! WRONG! My opinion is worth something because I have acutually owned and listened to both of the tables. You have not. Therefore your opinion is worthless--complete nonsense. Again, your opinion of the new Thorens when compared with your old TD-125 is valid because you have OWNED both tables. If I chimed in about THAT comparison my "opinion" would be as worthless as your "opinion" of the relative merits of the TD-124.

I have no doubt the idler/wheel Thorens/Garrard are nice tables with a neat retro "look" and decent performance once fully reconditioned. But I would much rather pay $400 for a belt-drive TT with more modern motor electronics that sold for $700-800 in the early 90s (TD318/320) than $1000-1200 (what 124/301s have rediculously been going for on eBay as of late) for a table that was $89-99 in 1960. I mean I understand inflation but... The performance difference certainly isnt aligning with the cool factor IMO. I guess it's just supply-demand?? But I suppose if you're looking to keep "in theme" with your mono-phonic aspirations it may make historical sense. JMO WOT You don't know what you're talking about. I have owned dozens of nice turtables over the years, including several belt drive suspended Thorens tables, SOTAs, Linns, etc. The build quality of and SOUND quality from a TD124 with a proper arm and cartridge will blow ANY suspended table I have ever owned clean out of the water. I bought my TD124 on a lark about 15-16 years ago and spent a couple of years messing around with it until one day I tried an Ortofon SPU and never looked back. I sold my Linn LP12 (although I recently bought another one for my office system) and the TD124 has been my main table since. Until you hear what one of these tables is capable of your opinion is worthless.

Gary-- You score a table and arm and I will build you the plinth of your dreams (or at least on that fits in your cabinet), rebuild the table and set you on your way. You will then have the PROPER table on which to slap your mono Blue Notes!!!

Not the same thing. Gary's looking for an idler drive Thorens . . .

Since you're going to build a new plinth, you might also consider two other idler-drive Thorens models from the 50's/60s. First, theres the TD-111--this is a stripped down model and has a lighter platter, but retains the same motor and belt/idler system that makes the TD124 such a great table. It is a one-speed table--33 1/3!! The TD-111 usually sells for about $250 without an arm on ebay--they come up a couple of times per year: The TD-121 is really a bare bones TD-124--same platter, same motor and bearing, same tonearm board. What it lacks is the fancy clutch mechansim that you'll never use and like the TD-111, it is a one-speed table!

Pick up both of those Marantz preamps for me and the MC30s if you have room in the trunk. I'll glady pay you Tuesday . . .

What makes you think the 12ax7 need replacing? Just because they're "old" doesn't mean they aren't perfectly fine. Not only that, there isn't a new production 12AX7 made that can TOUCH a 40 year old Mullard, Amperex or Telefunken!!

Well. in my office system I use a PV-10B with a pair of itty bitty Linn Kans! But it works even BETTER with CORNWALLS!!!! Mmmmmmmm Cornwalls Mmmmmmmmm

Still waiting for your response . . . Check your PM box.

Tough one to find--especially in North America. A true master playing at his peak with a VERY sympathetic band: http://cgi.ebay.com/Von-Freeman-YOUNG-AND-FOOLISH-John-Young-Affinity-lp_W0QQitemZ190090405561QQcategoryZ306QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Sorry Cal, I thought you were KIDDING!

OK then, sent you a PM.

I'm bumping this one time. Goes to ebay tomorrow AM.

No, you don't!

STILL FOR SALE!! A lightning strike took out the original buyer's entire system last night and he has bigger worries than getting a new turntable! This one goes to Audiogon or ebay tomorrow if there are no takers!

McIntosh SS phono sections are pretty damn nice, usually. Don't know about the C15 specifically, but every McIntosh phono section I've heard (with the exception of the dreaded C24), have sounded very good. I'm not sure you can really upgrade the "soundstage" or "imaging" with a phono pre--the signal still runs through the McIntosh preamp and you'll still have that McIntosh flavor. I don't know what you are trying to accomplish by doing this. Any phono pre you put behind the Mac will change the sound of your vinyl playback, but the question is "will you like the difference?" You could plug and play 30 phono preamps and still not find one that will give you what you are looking for. Perhaps you should consider a new preamp as well if you're looking for a dramatic change?

They can be packed and shipped with very little chance of any problem if one knows how!! I'd be happy to pick them up for you and pack and ship them. All it takes is making custom boxes with FIRM foam padding and then "double boxing.' I have shipped dozens and dozens of vintage pieces over the years and have had only ONE casualty.

OK. Conisider the Linn SOLD! I responded to your PM

It's a rubber suspension--not as bouncy as a Linn LP12 or a TD125, but if footfalls are really a problem I'd stay away from ANY suspended table unless you can set up a wall shelf. By the way, this one is going to ebay or Audiogon (I think it will sell for more on ebay, actually--there's an Axis on Audigon for $695 obo that's been up for at least ten days) on Monday morning.

Won't be pickng up email until Monday--send me a PM.

Yeah, it's a great table. I think it was $800 all in in 1990--I'd have to try to look it up to see for sure, but that's the number in my head. The quality of this table is unreal when compared with a Music Hall ( and I own THREE of them that I rent out as film props!). The Linn is built like a tank and it sounds FANTASTIC.

I am selling my Linn Axis turntable. I recently got back to vinyl in my office system and dusted off my old Linn table from about 1990. And then a couple of weeks ago I stumbled on a nice deal on a Linn LP12 and bought it. I had an LP12 in my main system for most of the 1980s and I really wanted another one some day and that day is here! So, I'm selling the Axis. It's in VERY nice shape--a few small marks on the dust cover which could be polished out if you wanted to spend the time and elbow grease--I never really used the cover for most of the table's life--so that means the hinges are like NEW--a real rarity for a Linn of this vintage!!! It comes with a Basik LVX tonearm in nearly perfect condition and a Linn K9 MM cartidge which had a new stylus as of 100 hours or so ago--it works FINE, but it is about 17 years old, so consider it a starter cartridge--you'll probably want to get something new. $495 shipped Fed Ex Ground anywhere in the USA. And don't worry about packing--I know how to pack a turntable--it will be packed BETTER than if I used the factory box! (which I no longer have) http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c58/runsgood99/linn/5.jpg'>

OK. Here are a few pics that I was going to use on Audiogon. $495 including FedEx Ground shipping to anywhere in the USA. I was going to $495 PLUS shipping on Audiogon. Early 1990's Linn Axis with Linn Basik LVX tonearm and Linn K9 cartridge. The K9 Stylus was replaced about 100 hours ago, but that was also about TEN YEARS ago. It works and sounds FINE, but anyone buying this table should consider a new cartridge. I know how to pack turntables VERY well, so no worries about shipping . . .

The little A-300 Harman Kardon 6v6 integrated is doing the job for now, but that one is really part of the "new" system I'm putting together for my wife's office. I have the matching HK tuner and have fabricated wooden cabinets for both (Marantz 10B style--my favorite wooden hi-fi cabinet of all time!). She'll also be getting a Cabridge Audio 640 Azure CD player and my old, beloved KEF 102 monitors. I'm going to sell my Linn Axis. Do you think I should post it here or just slap it up on ebay or Audiogon and post a link here.