WANTED: Thorens TD126 MkIII turntable

[theschoolmaster]

Hi all,
To add to my already swollen turntable collection, I am trying to acquire a Thorens TD126 MkIII, with or without arm.
A number of these appear on EU sites (mainly German): but buying from these is expensive and fraught with problems (why, oh why did we ever leave....), which I have come a cropper with before, so I am trying to source in UK.
I would love one in pristine condition, of course; but I am happy to consider a tired example!

[Pigmy Pony]

I see you passed on a MK IV Lawrence of this forum had for sale a couple of years ago. Shame really, great bloke to deal with and always gives vfm. Good luck with your search mate.

[Lawrence001]

Good spot Steve and thanks for the kind words.

Can I ask the OP why he wants a Mk3 in particular? There is some discussion on the internet about them being less reliable and that the changes from the Mk2 to the Mk3 were reversed for the reason. But then I do take everything on the internet with a pinch of salt.

[theschoolmaster]

Hi Lawrence. Yes, sorry I missed your post of a couple of years back!
I also found, on the internet, praise for the MkIII, and how it was so much better than the MkII. There has always seemed to be this tendency to rate previous models as "so much better" than their successors. Look for example at the TD124 vs TD125. The current price difference is astronomical, yet the 124 - lovely piece of engineering as it is - is idler wheel driven, and cannot match the performance of the 125. Also, everyone hankering after the early SME arms. Je ne comprend pas.

[Lawrence001]

I don't think the idea that belt drive was an improvement over idler drive is universally accepted, that's quite a can of worms. If you'd have said that over at Lenco Heaven you'd have been tarred and feathered. Well, virtually anyway.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Hi Lawrence. Yes, sorry I missed your post of a couple of years back!
I also found, on the internet, praise for the MkIII, and how it was so much better than the MkII. There has always seemed to be this tendency to rate previous models as "so much better" than their successors. Look for example at the TD124 vs TD125. The current price difference is astronomical, yet the 124 - lovely piece of engineering as it is - is idler wheel driven, and cannot match the performance of the 125. Also, everyone hankering after the early SME arms. Je ne comprend pas.

I would have to disagree. Having owned both the TD124 and 125, I would say that the TD124 trounces the TD125 comprehensively, in every way. The TD125 just didn't feature.

[Lawrence001]

Can we just argue about cables instead so it doesn't get too emotional [emoji23]

[Pigmy Pony]

Or we'll just chat about Crossley and GPO turntables, I think we'll all be in agreement there :)

Vinyl porn :drool:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61gvuJ4k+FL._AC_SX679_.jpg

Though several owners reported damaging records when closing the lid. I suppose nothing's perfect.