Charles Turner

I also got an email today confirming shipping on the 24th. Thanks Fini for the heads up. After plucking down 65 for Surgar Mountain I could not pass on 20 for this one.

Just saw the intro to Nightline on TV tonight...they are going to have a section on "Vinyl revival"

I am interested...actually I've been thinking of posting a similiar thread. I'm actually a collector of sorts...I have about 2500 rock, jazz, blues, and classical all in vg+ or better condition...these are all keepers. I have another 2500 in vg+ or better I will probably never get thru...these are traders. Of the traders the classical are from a private school that changed over to digital and the rock, jazz, and blues are duplicates...ones I either bought not knowing I already had them or bought because they were in too good a condition to pass on. I have no interest in selling these...and I have no interest in buying more...I simply want to trade these for ones I don't have. My idea is more along the lines of Chicago_Pete's original proposition...put a group of these together, send them out, and get a new group back. Each sender pays the postage and each sender tries to match the value of what he received.

Does anyone have any information on a source for Alfred Hitchcock movies on DVD in Black and White. I have no interest in the colorized versions. thanks

I had front row center in Dallas too...and I was able to watch how he finished each song. As the lights dimmed after the song I could see him walk away from the mike and snap his fingers...he was really happy when the songs went down like he wanted. It may sound like a small point but it was fascinating to watch. It was almost childlike in a very endearing way. You will not be disappointed...the band was sharp...he was leading the group rather than dominating it..and his voice and enuciation were dead on.

I saw him at the House of Blues in Dallas in Feb of this year...highly recommended

Very nice and it encourages me to get on with my project. I was really looking forward to taking my time and rebuilding the motor, platter bearings, replacing the grommets (I've been researching the project for months) but I've run into a problem. The TD-124 I got off ebay is immaculate...everything appears to work perfectly. I plugged it in and it was so quiet I was amazed. My only concern is the seller unscrewed the spindle from the platter to ship it but it was very well packaged so that might have been the best approach. The NOS SME 3009 I also got off ebay (type 2 improved unfortunately...I jumped too soon) also appears to be NOS...the only problem is the headshell connectors which are old and brittle. I was planning to replace the rubber coupling and upgrade the bearings to bronze but I'm hesitating to do that either. And to make matters worse I think I've decided to get a plinth like Kudrets (although my personal preference is for the squared off corners) and a DL 103r cartridge...so I may be near the end of the journey. You may laugh but I was really looking forward to this project occupying much more of my time.

I'll take one too...I was thinking about bidding but did not want to bid against another forum member thanks

Kudret, Thats a great looking plinth...I'm looking at the same one for my td124 that's on its way from overseas. I've also got a sme 3009 on its way from another source. How much was the shipping? thanks

Fini...thanks for the detailed response. That was exactly the information I needed. I will pass your information along to the seller for the trip over from the pond. many thanks...charles

Thanks to all who recently gave me advice on my planned purchase of a TD 124...especially fini. After watching for several weeks at partially rusted ones going for 800 to 1000 I bought one today that appears to be immaculate. I paid more than I should have but the seller appears to be knowledgable and have a good reputation. You never know but I've had good luck on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Thorens-TD-124-TD124-MK1-flawless-condition_W0QQitemZ290230975360QQihZ019QQcategoryZ48649QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem This is coming from Sweden and the shipping is priced at $88 which seems a bit too little. I have sent the seller an email requesting that this be double boxed and the platter removed from the base. Can anyone offer any other requests I should make to the seller regarding packaging and shipping this? The next step will be the tonearm. The sme 3012s are quite expensive compared to the 3009s. Any advice on which I should look for and why? thanks

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

Thanks for the responses and encouragement. I've started watching the auction sites and the TD124 seems to go for between 500 and 900 dependant on condition...the 3009 and 3012 seem to be all over the map on prices though. Thanks fini...I'm thinking of doing the same things you did...rebuild the motor, replace the platter bearings, upgrade to the silicon motor grommets, replace the mushroom grommets, replace the strobe light, and thoroughly clean and polish the enameled top. I suspect there are some rubber parts that could/should be replaced on the sme as well and I plan to replace the funky connector with rca jacks. I may have some more questions on part sources once I get started. The muli layered mdf plinth seems to be the prefered mounting but I am considering making a larger plinth using this design and building it into a table with 4x4 posts and bracing. It will also house the Tercel on the lower shelf. BTW I built the Tercel with the Cream, auricaps, and upgraded transformer. This project should enterain me for about a year.

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

Boston Acoustic's Voyager...I bought a pair about 8 years ago for an outdoor deck...a bit expensive, about $400 a pair, but they are very waterproof and sound very, very smooth and detailed...much better than you would expect for outdoor speakers. Not sure about their power requirements

Many thanks...I'll check it out over the holiday break. As you may already know, there's a large record store in Arlington called Forever Young...great selection...but the prices are a bit high.

I have the bug to try some NOS tubes in my MC225 amp...I have relatively new EH7591A power tubes but the others are a mixed lot. Tubes are (1) 12ax7 (2) 12au7 and (2) 12bh7. I'm guessing the 12au7s would affect the sound the most but I really don't know. I'm not planning on anything too expensive...maybe some nice RCAs...but I was wondering if these are the tubes to start with? I listen mostly to jazz (vinyl) thru 1976 Cornwalls with ALK crossovers. thanks

Over the holidays I built Mark’s Tercel phono preamp from Juicy Music and thoroughly enjoyed building the kit…my first exposure into this added dimension of our hobby. Add to this the enjoyment I am currently deriving from the listening and you have a broadly smiling forum member. First, thanks to Mark for his product and support and to forum member Anarchist whose Oct 2006 posting on his build convinced me this was something I could accomplish. My comments are directed to both those who are interested in this preamp and those who are interested in building a kit. First, what it add to my system…absolute clarity of tone for each individual instrument and performer, pinpoint accuracy in placing each performer on the soundstage, distinct completion of each sound and blackness in between, and, surprisingly, a hard to describe crispness in the bass notes I never knew I was lacking. And, to appreciate the improvement, my phono stage was by most accounts, pretty good before this change (Mcintosh C15 solid state preamp). In short, it accomplished what I wanted and more…in listening to hard bop and west coast jazz, I now can, from an auditory point of view, visualize each performer or instrument on the stage. Next, what I enjoyed about building the kit, again my first. I had built DIY cables before but I was always intimidated by touching anything inside a case. Everything in the kit was neatly labeled in plastic bags…down to each resistor and capacitor. The PCB had codes for each part and the manual was very well written and easy to follow. But what I enjoyed most was simply doing it…I worked on it for a few hours each day and learned something about what’s inside the case. I noticed Mark now offers assembled versions of the Tercel but I honestly believe you will derive more pleasure from building it yourself. A couple of recommendations…I have a temperature controlled Hakko soldering station and I believe it made it a bit easier for me having never soldered much before…and I bought a 30 dollar 3x desk magnifying light (the kind on a 12” plastic stand with a light around the glass) and it made it easy to check the solder joints. As to the system is now a member of: 1976 Cornwalls – ALK crossoversStax Lambda Signature earspeakers – SRM T1 tube driverRega P25 turntable – Benz Micro H2 cartridgeMcIntosh MC225 amplifierMcIntosh C15 premapMcIntosh MR71 tuner As to the options I purchased with the Tercel: AuriCapsXtreme Power SupplyCream Oak sidepanels

Hello I have the upgrade bug and think I want a new phono preamp...maybe a Juicy Music Tecel. Question is, how much difference vs my current setup. I think the weakest link currently is the phono preamp section and if I had one thing I would want to improve, it is the "soundstage" or "imaging" in my current system. I'd like to be better able to place the instruments when I close my eyes. You guys helped once before when I rebuilt my system from the Cornwalls up...thanks in advance for any opinions and help on this question. Benz Micro H2 Rega P25 McIntosh C15 SS preamp McIntosh MC225 84 Cornwalls with ALK networks

Wow...this was really strange. I read this and thought someone else with my name from Dallas...what are the chances. Then I read down and realized it was my post from many years ago. BTW...I ended up with a McIntosh MR71 and it's very nice although I hardly ever listen to it charles

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I researched the A-25s a bit and they seemed to be a nice choice and I spotted a nice pair last night on ebay and got them. Probably paid a bit too much for both the Marantz (100) and a-25s (125) plus shipping but it may end up being a nice little system for background music while working. thanks again...charles

I need some suggestions for a pair of small speakers to pair with a Marantz 2030 I just picked up off ebay. This will be for a corporate apartment I will be spending a few nights a week at. I will be listening to FM and CDs, jazz, classical, classic rock, at low to moderate volumes. Mainly background music when I'm doing emails and working. I'm looking to spend 100-150 (I spent 100 for the 2030). I don't want to put much money into it in case it ends up staying there or in case it just gets ripped off. I have Cornwalls, McIntosh tubes, and vinyl at home so I'm looking for a similiar sound. I read a couple of reviews of the Marantz 2030 and it seemed to fit what I was looking for. I'll be using an old pair of Stax electrostatic headphones that drive directly off the speaker outputs. My first thought was a pair of the original old Advents but they are a bit too large and I don't know anything about the smaller ones or the later models. I'd also love to have a pair of old Heresys but they are outside the budget. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. charles

I had one until recently and so did several of my friends back in the 80s. The one in the picture appears to be the higher end model with the lateral tracking tonearm. Their claim to fame, besides being easy to set up and use, was you could bang your hand on the chasis and barely get a rumble. The only negative I know about them is you are locked into one cartridge which used to cost $125-300 dependent on the tip. I never had any problems with mine but I'm not sure objectively how they compare to other tables.

I ventured onto this board a couple of years ago with the same question and received some very useful advice. After reading all the posts here and researching a bit on Cable Asylum I chose to make my own CC89259 cables. The cost for a 20 foot pair was less than $100 and it was a fun project. I've been pleased with the results in my particular system but I've never objectively compared them with the original zip cords. If you have the time and a $100 to play with I'd say try them and see. My system: 1976 Cornwalls ALK crossovers Stax Lambda Signature earspeakers SRM T1 tube driver Rega P25 turntable Benz Micro H2 cartridge McIntosh MC225 amplifier McIntosh C15 McIntosh MR71 tuner DIY 89259 cross-connect speaker cable DIY Superlatives interconnects

Last weekend I went to an annual book and record sale at the Dallas library. I had seen a flyer about the annual fund raising event and it listed records...$1 for lps and $3 for box sets. I almost ignored it thinking it would be the scratched ones you can check out but I called and found out instead they were from donations. According to the person I spoke with they had been received over the past few years as people had changed over to CDs. I showed up an hour early and was the first one in the door. There were approximately 100 boxes, mostly classical and soundtracks, but I made my way to the table marked jazz. I left with about 75 jazz lps (Armstrong, Basie, Peterson, Davis, Monk, Fitzgerald, Holiday, etc) all in VG+ or better condition. I think the volunteers were given first choice because there was not a single Blue Note. Regardless, I was quite pleased with my haul...most of which I have seen at the Half Priced Book Store selling for $15 or more and in much worse condition. So if you see your local library advertising used lps DO NOT assume they are the standard scratched up lps.