garymd Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 My goal is to add a mono table to my Cornwall system and I've decided the TD124 might be the best table for my purposes for a number of reasons. I'm in no rush so I'll wait as long as it takes to find the right one. I'm willing to take on a project so it doesn't have to be in perfect condition. It doesn't have to have a decent plinth or an arm since I'll be adding those anyway (unless of course the right arm happens to already be there). If anyone has one buried in their garage, finds one at a yard sale or sees one on Craigslist, etc., please keep me in mind. I'll certainly pay a fair price. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dp1954 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Gary. there is currently a black one(didn't know they made them) on ebay right now in your neighborhood. http://cgi.ebay.com/Thorens-124-RARE-FACTORY-BLACK-sme-arm_W0QQitemZ130093564535QQcategoryZ3283QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcmusic Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Gary there is also one on the Gon. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 How about a 318 available locally for $400: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/ele/302544855.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 How about a 318 available locally for $400: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/ele/302544855.html Not the same thing. Gary's looking for an idler drive Thorens . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Thanks guys! The local guy has 2, one on A'gon and one on Ebay. He won't answer my emails because he knows they're overpriced and wants an out-of-towner to buy without seeing first. Allan - Thanks. The 121 looks like it just might be the ticket. I'll keep my eyes open for one and check the links you sent. I've just been too busy today to do much of anything. I'm beat and ready to head to my dungeon. I have about 10 new records cleaned and waiting for me.[Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Gary, I've got a very nice extra 124. I rebuilt it myself and it runs like a charm. It's been stored away for the last year neatly in a box. It doesn't play jazz though. Check your email when you get back from the dungeon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilbert Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 My goal is to add a mono table to my Cornwall system and I've decided the TD124 might be the best table for my purposes for a number of reasons. I'm in no rush so I'll wait as long as it takes to find the right one. I'm willing to take on a project so it doesn't have to be in perfect condition. It doesn't have to have a decent plinth or an arm since I'll be adding those anyway (unless of course the right arm happens to already be there). If anyone has one buried in their garage, finds one at a yard sale or sees one on Craigslist, etc., please keep me in mind. I'll certainly pay a fair price. Thanks. What's this!!! I can't beleive what I'm reading here! .... you know Gary,.... you may have to wait a good 30 min. for that baby to spin-up to the right speed [] [D] [:#] Who loves ya baby.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 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!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Scott, Just back from the dungeon. I'm so tired I actually fell asleep while Art Pepper was blasting a solo in my face. I won't see that email until Monday. You can either pm me or use gdpowers_7@hotmail.com. Thanks. Gilbert, Yeah, that's a problem. I'll just turn it on before I go to work so it'll be up to speed when I get home in the evening.[] Allan, I'm holding on to the rest of my monos until this project is complete! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klipschfoot Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Around here, you should be able to find one. Good luck. I have a TD-125 that needs a resto, but it's no 124 -- it looks too modern. I'll keep an eye out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 I must be really tired. I thought I read that you wanted me to look for one buried in my yard. I was actually trying to remember where my shovel was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Keep digging Gregg! I know you'll find it eventually! What's your bottom line? Everyone has a price!![] Scott - I need to hear from you! The auction on the 121 ends in 9 hours so I need to know what you have. Please pm me if you see this!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 How about a 318 available locally for $400: Not the same thing. Gary's looking for an idler drive Thorens . . . 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott0527 Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 How about a 318 available locally for $400: Not the same thing. Gary's looking for an idler drive Thorens . . . 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 Actually there is a lot more to the idlers than just cool retro looks. The 124 and the Garrards 301/401 in particular. Some people say they combine the best of belt and direct drive without their drawabacks. Actually, I forget what people say but it's been discussed here in several threads over the last year or so. I guess I'll have to go back and re-read them myself. You have to hear a good one in proper working order and judge for yourself whether the idlers are for you. But it is definitely not just the cool retro looks that make these a great choice of some people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 How about a 318 available locally for $400: Not the same thing. Gary's looking for an idler drive Thorens . . . 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Actually there is a lot more to the idlers than just cool retro looks. The 124 and the Garrards 301/401 in particular. But it is definitely not just the cool retro looks that make these a great choice of some people. I dunno about that (had a TD-125 for a number of years) I see nothing superior at least electrically in these old decks, compared to current technologies. Certainly if there was something that significant there would be an idler model offered by the all of the current big players in the TT arena. I've yet to hear any real quantifiable evidence to their supposed superiority.Older 4-pole AC motors, complex linkage mechanism, idler wheel size and concentricity issues... If these issus are being addressed somehow through modern upgrades, that's different then (similar to spending many hundreds to upgrade older vintage tube amps with modern passives for instance) But I certanly wouldnt go back to my TD-125. But maybe it was better than I recall. JMO WOT Until you hear what one of these tables is capable of your opinion is worthless.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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Until you hear what one of these tables is capable of your opinion is worthless.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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WopOnTour Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Until you hear what one of these tables is capable of your opinion is worthless.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. OK fair enough, I "get" that. But I was referring to the technology comparisons in general not the subjectivities of the human ear.[*-)] My old 125 was all stock, had noisy electronics and as you know, didn't have the same type of arm-board design as the 124. Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing that YOU believe that your TD-124 has superior sonics to any of the other decks you've owned. I wouldn't question that. I'm just trying to rationalize it with some sort of physical quantifiable characteristics.If it's not measurable or quantifiable in some way, then IT TOO can be complete nonsense.To what specifically do YOU attribute it's superiority? Besides the arm and plinth are you making any other major changes?? WOT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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