Thorens 135, anyone?

[anubisgrau]

Just spotted a nice Thorens 135 on local ads. It ain't cheap, asking 400e, I guess I can bargain it down to 300-350e which is a ballpark of TD125Mk2 or TD126Mk3 here.

The deck is not for me (I have 6 already:)) but for a friend who wants to go analogue and to mix coolness and quality.

The deck seem to be hardly used, idler is very nice. The arm (TP12) also looks good, though a serious inspection is need as it's apparently prone to sag (some rubber parts around bearing). It comes with an original Thorens plinth incorporating strobe light. Plus, it has a vintage Tannoy pickup of unknown merits but it apparently plays records.

Frankly, if this would be for me, I would always rather spend money on something like this instead of bottom Pro-Ject or Rega offerings. However I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with these, are they trouble free on a long run, what are they realistically worth on the market etc.

Thanks!

[DiveDeepDog]

Mechanically very similar to the 124, so parts are available (if expensive). I'd certainly have one ahead of a 125, but I like idlers ;-)

Mine had a damaged arm which I never used, I spun the plinth 90º and put an ordinary one on it.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/11158498304_2b538a5bda_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/i13dMN)DSC_3059 (https://flic.kr/p/i13dMN) by levs the diver (https://www.flickr.com/people/49381909@N08/), on Flickr

I see it as an appreciating asset, although I'd haggle hard

[anubisgrau]

Many thanks. That plinth is lovely, it reminds of a massive walnut Art Deco furniture my grands once had.

You think 125 is better? I have always been underwhelmed with 125 performance but maybe I've never listened to a good one.

Well sorted idlers +1 here.

[walpurgis]

I'd sooner have the 135 over a 125/126 anyday. In fact I'd prefer a 150 to a 125.

[DiveDeepDog]

125 had a really brief stay here. I know I've got a thing for idlers, but IMO the 125 was dull and boring. I wonder why it gets acclaim.
I had the arm off it (Mission 774), it worked much better on my 401.

I've just got a 124, I think my configuration above with the motor turned 90º you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. It makes 135's very good value :D


*Apart from cleaning the running surfaces, and checking bounce I didn't spend much time with the 125, 1st impressions count around here. I prefered the Mission 775SM (but thats gone too )

[montesquieu]

I had a 135 for a bit, it was great fun and worked superbly with low compliance mono cartridges installed, including a Miyajima Premium I ran with it; with stereo it was still pretty good with the likes of the Denon 103, but gave a bit away to my TD124 MkII and better arm/cartridge combos ... on reflection my conclusion is that the TT itself is right up up there but let down (comparatively) by the vintage arm compared to most installed alongside today's TD124s. Looks like Mark has a pretty neat solution for this.

Alternatively, cleaned up and running well, in original condition it's a stunning looker and a real period piece. My instinct (should another come my way) would probably be to leave well alone and either run it with a mono cartridge or just live with it being not quite at the level of my TD124 with that arm in place.