Thorens 125 MkII: MM or MC cartridge? What's diff?

Scott: Dekay is right. If I remember correctly, the SME arm is a 3009. And when I said that I hadn't set up the "unit" yet, I hope I wasn't unclear: I meant hooking up the whole turntable to my system, not the tonearm -- the SME is already installed. I think the guy who sold the Thorens to me may have included the original tonearm as well, but it's all packed away in storage right now so I can't quite check.

Dekay: when you suggest the Linn felt mat, you mean the mat that the record rests upon, right? Where can I find one and how much can I expect to pay? I think I'm still kind of incompetent at DIY stuff, even if it only involves tracing a circle on felt and cutting it out. You suggest upgrading the interconnects, as well. I wasn't given any in the package, but I've been saving a Coincident IC that was recommended to me when I had more cash available. Do you think this cable would be too unflatteringly neutral for the Thorens? Are there any ICs usually mated with Thorens? I'll ask Steve at the Cable Co. next time I talk to him, too. What I'm really concerned about are the female RCAs on the TT: They are old, and not gold plated. Where can I go to update these connections? Lastly, the ground wire has a few knicks and cuts in its shielding, and if I remember correctly, some wire is exposed. Does it matter sound-wise if I just wrap some electrician's tape around these spots, or would you recommend replacing the wire entirely? Would radio shack wire do the job _well_, or are there proven audiophile ground wires, too?
Thank you all very much for your input.
--Steve

Steve: Yes it is the platter mat. The last time I researched the Linn mat it was around $80 (which may have been @ a discount). Perhaps the members here have a source for a less expensive (but just as good) felt mat? Also research TT IC's as it seems that you will be starting fresh. The cable (IC) that I am using is part of a "kit" that costs $600 and I use the same cable throughout my system (even for speaker cable). I tried to hand cut my first DIY mat (I agree that doing this is not easy), but cut the second one on a direct drive turntable @ a thrift shop. I just punched a center hole, placed the felt square with some tape on the bottom side of it on the TT platter, started up the beater TT while wrapping my hand, which was holding a razor knife, around a shelf post for support and let her rip/cut. I consider this to be potlicking @ its best, but the guys @ the shop didn't mind and I got a nice circle out of this one. The 1/8" felt that I used was from McMaster-Carr and cost approx. $15 (enough material to make two mats). They are online @ (mcmaster.com/) though I have a branch 30" away from where I live. I hardwired my IC's to the table, but feel that you are on the right track upgrading the old Thorens RCA's. I have been replacing the RCA's on some new/vintage gear with good results and I am just using cheap gold plated ones. The gear that I end up keeping will get better RCA's down the line, but for now I am using some mystery ones that I purchased in bulk (a baggie full of them) @ a thrift shop for a few dollars. I still need to research these connectors as I am not certain as to what's hot and what's not. TT setup is too detailed to go into here (for me anyway), but there is tons of info on this @ Audioasylum, which also has a very nice search engine. The basics may even be in the FAQ section on the first page, but there is detailed info (on your model(s) - both TT and arm) in the forums. I used to have other people set up my TT's in the past, but have found (this time around) that it is really not that hard (time consuming yes, but not hard:-), plus I feel better knowing how to do this myself as I can now change things @ a whim. What you will need is a protractor (or cartridge gage) and a small mirror, a VTF gage/scale (to double check tracking force), some main bearing oil (Singer sewing machine oil is what I use and it's $2 a tube), a bubble level to place the deck on an even keel and perhaps some metric allen wrenches to adjust VTA. If some of this stuff came with the table, then all the better. I use elctrician's alcohal for general degreasing and cleaning the belt. Again this sounds complicated, but it's not once you start reading and doing it. The result is much better sound without spending much.

Mobil One (or an equivalent synthetic) is a great bearing Oil. One of the lighter viscosities is the ticket. It's also good in your car engine....

It's great to find someone who seems to know anything about the Thorens TD 125, so I'll take my chance and ask my question. I own a Thorens TD 125, original version, with SME 3009 arm and a rather new Ortofon MC 15 Super cartridge. I had the deck rewired with Van den Hul Cable. My question concerns the SME-arm, which has rather loose bearings. What arm would be the best to replace it with? Since I'm a little short on money please don't tell me only a SME series V would do.... I would like to keep my Ortofon cartridge.....

Michiel.

For about 125 american plus shipping SME will totally rebuild your arm. Mine is over there now. Here's the service email address
Service@sme-ltd.demon.co.uk