Fully restored Thorens TD-124 mk1 (s/n 45564) turntable with an SME 3012 Series II (s/n 7534) tonear

Beskrivning

This is about as good as a TD-124 gets without the most expensive modifications. I don't believe in audiophile poetry or hyperbole; you should know what to expect - it is better to audition this than having me fail in telling how fabulous it sounds.

The main bearing was already in very good shape before restoration; a new paper gasket for the for the bearing well was the only necessary replacement. The bearing is properly cleaned, and the spindle polished. The sintered bronze bushings were then reoiled in a vacuum chamber with an unalloyed mineral oil, just as these bearings were once designed. (A spare flask of the same oil is included; use it for most of the bearings, but not in the motor). Original cast iron subplatter and aluminium top platter: centered and plane; rubber mat and platter lift in good condition.

The motor has new bearing bushings from Audiosilente, and a polished spindle. It has been run in for one week, then adjusted with a stethoscope for lowest rumble. The Audiosilente bushings come pre-oiled with a thin synthetic turbine oil; a flask with a suitable oil for future maintenance is included. Do not use the main bearing oil for the motor or vice versa!

Grounded power wiring, new spark suppressor capacitor.

The motor mounts are modified with Audiosilente steel pillars for the mk II-type setup for double rubber bushings; 2x3 bushings instead of 3. (This was the main improvement from mk I to mk II).

All rubber isolators are special designs of my own. The motor isolators consist of two sets of silicone grommets in different hardnesses, reducing motor rumble with about 5 dB compared to standard silicone parts; even more compared to rubber ones. The grommets are a brand new, modified design (available may 2026), improving the sideways stability of the motor, thus reducing flutter from the belt and rumble. This reduces the rumble level now below the level of the background noise from the record surface, clearly better than what is described in the TD-124 user manual as normal for these machines.

Audiosilente belt and idler wheel; the idler is their new model with the silicone edge glued and precision ground, thus avoiding the audible "thump" from the joint in other o-ring idler wheels. Spare rings are included, intended as future replacements if needed.

The entire mechanism has been taken apart, cleaned and correctly lubricated.

Silicone rubber isolating mushrooms between the cast metal chassis and the cabinet; my own slightly redesigned copies of the original parts.

New standard rubber feet under the the cabinet. This combination of isolators can be improved by the included additional silicone domes to be placed between the cabinet feet and the bench. They are cast in ca 20 thin layers of silicones in varying hardnesses, making for a clearly audible improvement in the isolation from floor-borne vibrations, and also more durable than comparable foam isolators. (I don't sell these parts separately, but only included with restored turntables suitable for them).

The tonearm is an early SME Series II, still with the series I type of headshell mount which can be pivoted for use with the SME type of headshells, or with the ESL, EMT and mono Ortofon ones. Included are a rare S3 headshell, and an Ortofon-made bakelite SME-labeled one.

The arm is in very good restored condition without any notable wear.

The original knife edge bearings were in very good shape, and have only been polished. The horizontal bearings were still in perfect condition, and have not been touched.

The internal wiring is replaced with Audiosilente wires; the headshell wiring is made by me using Audiosilente connectors.

One notable feature with this arm is that I am the only maker of rubber replacements for the original long decouplers for the back end stub of these early SME arms. These are necessary for the correct function and sound of the arm, but have been unavailable for years, if not decades.

The tonearm lift runs perfectly. It is refilled with new silicone oil using a vacuum chamber, as it was factory made.

The rubber mushroom between the arm and the lift is replaced with a new one, also of my own make.

Low capacitance signal wiring (Mogami Neglex W2549), with polished silver plated original connectors at the arm end, and new Amphenol RCA plugs. The wiring is connected quasibalanced (a.k.a an "instrumentation connection"), with the signal leads separated from the wire shields for better isolation from external electric fields.

The turntable has original black laquered wooden parts, with an Ortofon type of cabinet, and the arm board for the 3012. It is in good cosmetic condition for its age; the most notable defects are some scratch marks at the backside of the cabinet, and paint damage at the back side left corner from a badly glued dust bug.

Auditions can be arranged in Gustavsberg, east of Stockholm, with the Ortofon OM40 as shown in the photos. That cartridge is not included; the turntable is sold without cartridge, but if needed, a used Denon DL-103 in good condition can be added to it. Proper 200x microscope photos of the stylus and stone can be sent on request. (My mc pre has developed an annoying hum, making auditioning mc carts doable but a bit embarrasing).

Ideally the buyer will audition and pick up the the turntable personally. Delivery and installation can be arranged within a couple of hundred kilometers from Stockholm. Alternatively an insured shipment within EU with Schenker/DSV, with all sensitive parts disassembled, requiring the buyer to be able to reassemble it.

https://www.collegit.se/thorens-en.htm