DIY TT

Thoren are pretty easy to fix up. You can get a TD160 super or any of those belt drives, they are easy and fun. Easy to add whatever you like as far as tonearms.

Most of the parts interchange. The 121 and 124 are a lot nicer but they are for recording, broadcasting or transcription. Playback really doesn’t need the speed to be perfect. Recording from it, could be an issue..

They have a GREAT factory suspension and a LOT of easy inexpensive mods too. As I mentioned a lot of the parts interchange on the light belt belt drives. I keep a cool 1/2 dozen on hand. TD124 and Russco are my favorites. You can always use a pedestal mount or mod the plinth for a pocket drop & swap.

Regards

I have a selection of DD TT's which are duplicated, a duplicate model is to undergo a Platter Spindle Bearing Rebuild to assess how a modern approach to a Bearing design can impact on the SQ.

Within the collection of DD TT's, there are thee Denon DP80's, of which one has the Gunmetal Platter.

I am intending on One Model to receive a complete rebuild of the Patter Spindle Bearing Housing with modern materials exchanged for the original Parts.

One Model to have the Bearing Serviced and One Model to remain as purchased.

I can then compare the rebuilt bearing with Both Platter Types to the Original with a Bearing Serviced and Bearing untouched with both Platter Types, mounted on a Lead Plinth using the same Tonearm>Cartridge.

The final experience will be to mount the TT's in a Panzerholz Plinth and see how the modern materials in use are comparable to the earliest used materials.

This method is already underway on another Vintage DD TT.

As stated before and not really picked up on, an Aurex SR-520 is a very affordable  DD TT which was a Top of the Range model and can be sourced at a very fair price, 

I don't foresee disappointment when cost to performance and SQ is considered in the purchase equation.

The individual that made myself aware of the model had compared, the most basic model, very favourably to a Micro Seiki Model.

Their Model now has a much improved Tonearm in use with it.  

Thanks @oldhvymec

@pindac I am tracking now. And look forwards to your efforts.

The lead platter is interesting. A bit more costly and slightly (maybe) technically better would be tungsten inserts in some other metal or plastic.
(Of course one cannot cast that at home from old range debris, or spent batteries)

I saw a few Aurex/Toshiba DR-510 but no SR-520 links.

I’ll likely await to se how your efforts go, and move other projects to the front of the queue.

That was an early morning post, the link will guide you, and there are more affordable models to be discovered than this price.

The Plinth is a Lead Version and not the Platter .

There is a Phosphor Bronze / Gun Metal Platter to be used on the DP 80's

The Gun Metal Platter has a Recess on the underside at the Spindle Pin Location, and an Engineer friend is to produce inserts that will enable the platter to be attached to other TT's.

The SP10 MkII is the first of the models I have requested to be investigated, to see how the marriage will work. This is appealing as the SP10 Mk II is to be used as both Standard in a Panzerholz Plinth and as a Kaneta Design in a Panzerholz Plinth.

The methods put to use are purely as a result of being a hobbyist with an interest and the knowing individuals who have very good machining skills especially where the need of HiFi is required.      

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en/auction/yahoo/input/n1041344133/lgk-link_top_search