Thorens 124 compared to new best tt

the td 124 is one of the 'coolest' tables ever. does it compete with later thorens models such as the 150,160b, 160 super, 520, 160hd, 350 and others...only if you 'think' it does. compared to most expensive and esoteric choices today..not really....but it is 'cooler'.

Thanks for reply, is it correct to assume that all mentioned tables sound better than TD 124?

He,he,he...to me, it's the other way around.

Comparable to 150,160b, 160 etc? Please! Smoking too much of your username lately? But if you do not own one, or if you own one and it's not quiet and you do not know what needs to be done, then you would not have a clue. Besides, for me, I believe that "the only way to move forward in audio, is to move backward" and believe that everything was figured out in audio during the 50's and 60's already. If you believe that VPI is the answer, then I am happy for you.

Amandarae: you have a very nice system. In your post it is not clear if you like better the Teres or TD 124, can you explain the sonic differences. How would you compare the TD 124 and the Garrard 301 ?
Thanks, Jean.

Hello Jean,

Thanks for the kind words. To me, the TD124 and the Teres are two different sounding machine. In order to contrast them from each other, the Garrard 301 has to come in the picture.

I am happy with the Teres table since 2003. Steve, from Analog Department, hit it perfectly when he answered what's special about the Teres table. He describe its sound as " When I want to get max detail, air and to flesh out all the textures from massed strings, etc.".

The Garard in my observation, is in the outer extreme of this with dynamic slam that is "uncomparable" per se compared only to other tables I heard. When shear dynamics is the order of the day, the Garrard 301 is tailored for it without the expense of losing focus, detail, and warmt. Again, for me, the TD 124 is in between the Teres and the Garrard. It has a little less bass impact IMO to the Garrard and the detail is a little less than the Teres. But I will never know this until I compared them side by side. In retrospect, all I can say is that the TD 124 has that relax musicality but not short of dynamic impact.

My own observations only of course.

regards,

Abe

Now the discussion gets really interesting :)

So to sum up: TD 124 is dynamic and relax musicality tt, as compared to new ones. Any new tt which comes close on these virtues?

The rest areas are loss for TD 124, however, nobody is sure that there is really a loss..Any areas where Thor cannot perform to the level of modern tts?

And still - my initial question - in what area/price range Thorens 124 would fit as a competitor?

Building and marketing a new turntable with all the virtues of a TD 124 would be extremely expensive. Think of it:4 speeds, 220/110V 50/60 Hz inboard commutator,switchable cluch upper platter, build in 4 speeds lighted strobe, precise speed variator, removable armboard, hybrid idler wheel drive, high mass platter, build on high precision standards like a tank, and still in use and rivals the best after more than 50 years.
A read of the book "Swiss Precision, the story of TD 124" and the series of articles written by Art Dudley in Stereophile will suffice to convince you.
Jean

I will compare my TD 124 with slate plinth with my friend T.W. Acustic Raven 3 motors with same tonearm/cartridge next week and will report this if you are interested.
Best, Jean.