scott0527

The clear plastic Klipsch logos rock! I love those things.

Pete, I have a really old 3009 that Allan rebuilt for me. It needed just a few parts but now looks and plays like new. I also use a mono SPU, the one which you can still play stereo lps. Thanks Gary, I have read conflicting reports on exactly which version of the 3009 I should be chasing? Stay away from the improved version, metal bearing, etc.? A little confusing, I only want to do this once. There should be no conflict. If you're going to use the SPU, do NOT buy an SME 3009 with the words "Improved" in the model number. Don't let the bearing material get in the way, they all "look" like metal so half the people selling these things probably couldn't give you a correct answer. Study these awesome pictures in the attached website and you'll be able to tell exactly what model you are seeing from even the worst ebay auction photos! People selling the arms often get the medel numbers mixed up adding to the confusion so study the pictures and you'll be just fine. Even the guy putting those photos together didn't exactly name the "Improved" model numbers correctly. Also pay attention to getting all the right counterweights. The little extra "rider" weight is often missing since it's only needed for heavy (like and SPU) cartridges. I'm not sure FlatEarth has these anymore. They were getting kind of scarce. http://www.analogue-classics.com/html/sme_3009___3012.html WIth an SPU, you can use an: SME 3009 (often called version 1 or prototype but since it was the first version, technically it was just called SME 3009. These are rare, you won't see one very often) SME 3009 Series II SME 3009-R With and SPU do not buy: SME 3009 Series II Improved SME 3009 S2/Improved (pretty much the same arm as above with fixed headshell) SME 3009 III As final note here, I think the Improved arms are very good. I use one with a Goldring MM cartridge and it sounds really good. Just can't use these arms with the SPU. They're a pretty decent buy now since everybody is looking for the "Non-Improved" versions.

Less than a minute is good. Most of these slow starters out there could stand a motor re-build and they'd come up to speed within a minute I think. They always look ugly like this....

Was there anything more fun than winging 45's out into an opening field and watching them fly?

Nice price.

Find someone into the Wright Sound amplifiers. George uses 6SN7's in his many of his amps. There's more than one forum member here using his little mono's.

I want to know the story. I love these stories. Widow? Kids cleaning the old house? Cool stuff.

Yes, that would be a nice feature. I was forced to use my sonically challenged cheapo "Memorex" model this weekend since it can run on "D" batteries.

6 months financing, no interest... Hmmmm, not a bad deal at all. I would always feel so "second class" however since the Jubilees are far superior in sound.

That 3009 looks overpriced at $500+ to me. It also doesn't have the extra rider weight which you'll need with the heavy SPU. You also might want to invest in one the RCA conversion kits for the 3009. Sure has solved many a hum problem I have had with their original cables. You can always wait and see how your arm does first http://www.analogtubeaudio.de/index.php?article_id=131&clang=1 I wouldn't worry about bronze bearing stuff there. Good move on the SPU. I agree with Allan, it's a good step up from the Denon I think. I of course had to splurge for the Silver Meister blowing my original budget but it is really, really good.

Wow, just dig right in! Good for you. Motor looks clean. Don't lose that ball bearing that is probably just sticking to motor shaft thanks to the old goo. Peak down in the bearing well that the shaft sits in. That's what you need to clean. Hopefully there is no huge "divet" worn into the thrust plate at the bottom. I doubt there will be, yours looks in great shape. Moran took good care. The bearing is sorrounded by felt pads that I assume was to "store" lubriacte and keep the beaing oiled. When you put the motor back together, don't tighten those screws too tight. You'll lock up the motor. Too loose and the shaft will slide up and down, too tight and it won't rotate. You might want just a bit of up and down play but not much.

Looks like your armboard is all ready and waiting for the 3009. I guess we need to know if you have a phono input capable of handling low ouptut moving coil cartridges mentioned thus far. If you do, try one of the Denon 103 family of cartridges. If you're looking for a moving maget cartridge, I've mentioned before, I've had very good luck with the Goldring 1042 on the SME 3009. The 3012's all seem to be going for over $1000 these days. They aren't 3 times better than the 3009 in my opinion. How's the speed on that beauty? Is it quiet? Looks great.

Close up of the wiring

I figured I'd post this picture of the Thorens tonearm wiring since many people who first come accross these tables are confused by the lack of a ground wire which is common for so many other turntables. You can see in the second post/picture the chassis is grounded to the Shield of the right channel tonearm which is grounded to your preamp at the phono input. So no need to run further ground cables. However as these instructions will tell you, some combinations might need to be modified.

I have a 124 with SME 3012, and I just got a Garrard 401 with SME 3009. I know that 401 is only temporary as I always wanted a grey 301.[] Kudret Hey Kudret, The 401 might be a better turntable but the grey 301's are very cool. I finally got mine up an running after a couple of years of tinkering with it.

Maron, I've got like 30 some turntables from the 50's 60's and 70's and have tried many arm/table/cartridge combinations. Chicago Pete said he was going to put an SME on the Thorens so I'm just saying... if he is, the SPU is a good choice of cartridges. Regardless of whether there were one or one hundred arms in the 60's it's a nice combination.

Hi Scott, I spoke up for the 124. As they say, the check is in the mail. Hope I can lean on you guys for some advice? Initially thinking of hunting down an SME 3009 but I dont have a clue on a cart? Thanks, Pete Pere, Congratulations. Allan Songer has harped about the Ortofon SPU's for years, I finally got around to trying one out.... I'm liking it quite a bit. Replacing the bargain Denon DL-103. Allan always said it's the best cart for jazz, but I am having no problem with rock. I don't listen to jazz. So there is something to the Thorens 124/SME 3009/SPU combination that seems to work well. New SPU's can be had for a decent price from the Hong Kong guy Juki. If you're looking for a moving magnet, I've had good luck with the Goldring 1042 on the SME3009 Once you get the 124, feel free to ask questions. They're pretty funky little machines that can take some time to figure out how to get the best out of them if they've been sitting for a while.

You probably have a bad tonearm wire somewhere in the path. Strating at the cartridge, following those tonearm wires all the way to where they connect to the interconnects. Any number of places those wires can get shorted, come loose, maybe a dirty pin in the headshell base. With the bottom cover off, usually under a plastic cover, is a terminal strip where the tiny tonearm wires meet the much bigger interconnect wires. Often in there somewhere are some bad connections. Again, that's why I like these tables, they are great to experiment with and learn about turntables. If you screw something up, not a big deal.

double

No TD165 I ever saw had vinyl woodgrain. It should have a wood veneer. If if is in nice shape, it would not look "cheap". I think they made a nice simple, classic 70's turntable appearance. Nothing fancy. For $100 and local, it is a reasonable buy. The TD160's were better, they had a better platter. None of these Thorens have a grounding wire, the ground is designed into the RCA cables. I think these Thorens are a great way to introduce yourself to vinyl. A lot can be learned about proper set up on these less expensive vintage turntables without risking much money. You'll get an idea of how good vinyl can sound. If you're new to vinyl, I like this route rather than jumping into to something extremely expensive where, one, you find you don't like vinyl or two, you make costly mistakes with very expensive piece of equipment. I'm pretty sure we've all ruined a cartridge or two in our recent vinyl lifetime. Much better to learn on the cheaper stuff than I think.

She's a teenager. You think she's going to listen to good advice? Tell to have fun and be good. She'll be fine you worry wart.

Those are in very nice condition. Also the orignal paperwork makes them more valuable. I wouldn't take less than $400 for them. Someone into collecting vintage Hi-Fi would be your ideal buyer. Hold them until Fall and put them on Ebay. Unless someone here makes you a decent offer.

Those are in very nice condition. Also the orignal paperwork makes them more valuable. I wouldn't take less than $400 for them. Someone into collecting vintage Hi-Fi would be your ideal buyer. Hold them until Fall and put them on Ebay. Unless someone here makes you a decent offer.

That's Heresy Walnut Lacquer. Cabinet condition is king. I paid $900 for a rare 1973 pair with original boxes. But $300 to $500 is a more reasonable range. Post some pictures and sell them here!

Kudos to the Search function. Found my old thread complete with photos. Shows how the foam was installed in my 2005 Heresy II's http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/563971.aspx