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Thorens TD 124 or TD 125 MK.

I recently attended an E-state sale. The owner who had passed.
I guess was somewhat of an Audiophile at least back in the 60s and 70’S as his setup dated based on the gear.
Model 7 Pre-amp with (2) Marantz Model 9 EL 34 tube mono amps.
Plus his 2 turntables which I bought.
QUESTION?? Please from high mileage analog stewards only on which one to keep and R/B..

tubes444
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Keep all of it.. There are two models of the 124s, and one of the 125 (I think). The 124 with non magnetic platter is the better one, Type II, I think.
The 125 is good, just not quite as eloquent as the 124s...

The Marantz stuff, is like gold. Marantz folks are worse than Mac guys. THEY are really stuck on name, not sound.... You got yourself quit a few nugget for sure... If they need work, use a good guy, ay... No cheap parts.. They deserve better. 

I've owned them all, still have all the Thorens though, great TTs

Regards
jond's avatar
jond
5,847 posts
 
Holy crap that's a pretty insane haul! All awesome stuff of the two tables the 124 is iconic and the 125 very good. The Marantz stuff is also iconic and highly collectable.
br3098
995 posts
 
Which model Thorens vintage turntable you keep is entirely your call. Assuming you have played both, which do you prefer or like best?

I'm a TD-124 guy. It's the swiss watch of turntables, which is both good and bad. Good in that when restored and set up properly it sounds (and looks) sublime. Bad in that it takes a lot of patience and, often, $$$ to get it to sound it's best.

The TD-125 was a nod to a simpler, much less expensive to produce design than the TD-124. It's an OK deck but is nothing special. My opinion only, and there are many who will disagree with me. I have owned and restored TD-124s for over 30 years and have owned a couple of TD-125s. There is no upgrade or amount of work you can perform on a TD-125 that will get it anywhere close to the sound of a properly restored TD-124. Again IMO.

It's like comparing a 1957 Mercedes Benz 300SL to a 1960 VW Bug. Both classics. Both cars. Both get you where you want to go. If you could only keep one, which one would it be?

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,821 posts
 
I bought a new TD-125 MK.2 in 1973. Mechanically it was fine for the time, but I had a lot of problems with it's electronics. It was in the authorized service center numerous times, the problem never eradicated. They should have just replaced the whole board. If I had been older and more knowledgeable, I would have insisted they do so.
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