Thorens TD125 Restoration

[Jac Hawk]

So moving on, next up i cut a 24mm hole in the armboard, 1st of all by drilling a small 2mm pilot hole then using a hole saw to cut the actual hole. Before fitting the arm I figured out where the phono cable was going to go inside the plinth attached a cable clamp and cut a 12mm hole in the baseboard then attached the feet which are 40mm turned aluminium with a 3mm sorbothaine pad, these are the same type as i've used in the past on my TD160. Before buttoning it all up i removed the bearing and gave it a clean and re lube.

Then i looked to fit the springs back into the correct positions, this is quite important on these decks and is quite straightforward, each of the springs leans inwards a little bit, the idea is the inward slant is aimed towards the bearing this has the effect of centring the top plate in the plinth when it's mounted, the springs are stuck to the rubber mounting seats on the underside of the top plate with a little contact adhesive and stops the springs turning when the adjustment cups are rotated, once dry i re attached the top plate, fitted the arm, then balanced the top plate which is much easier on the TD125 than the TD160, there isn't as much travel but because you're not having to use sockets and wrenches and balance a sub chassis which has an arm poking through it which can catch or generally get in the way it didn't take more than a few minutes. Finally i polished the platter and sub platter using Duraglit which is an awful job and on this deck hasn't given me the results i was hoping for so i'll be taking the platter to a local blacksmith to polish.

Before plugging it in and giving it a spin i checked the tracking force and cartridge alignment.

[IMG]IMG_0033 by mike davis, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_0042 by mike davis, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_0321 by mike davis, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_0331 by mike davis, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]IMG_0329 by mike davis, on Flickr[/IMG]

[drSM]

Super job Mike. Bravo
The 2 thorenses look really good
Whats the model of that Project phonostage ?

[Jac Hawk]

Super job Mike. Bravo
The 2 thorenses look really good
Whats the model of that Project phonostage ?

Thanks Shahrin, but it's not a Project Phonostage, it's an EAT E-Glo Petite

[Wakefield Turntables]

Great thread, great read.

[drSM]

Thanks Shahrin, but it's not a Project Phonostage, it's an EAT E-Glo Petite

Ah ! the designs of the casing, the LEDs and tube covers are similar to my Project DS2 that i assumed it was a higher model....

On image below i have circled screws/bolts at bottom of your blocks .
do these go all the way thru and fasten onto the chassis ?
Cheers

[Jimbo]

Superb job Mike and the Audiomods arm looks great on that turntable. Your workmanship and finish are fantastic and I think you have produced a great modern upgrade to the original Thorens.

How does it sound?

[struth]

indeed, a lovely deck mike; well done.

[Jac Hawk]

Ah ! the designs of the casing, the LEDs and tube covers are similar to my Project DS2 that i assumed it was a higher model....

On image below i have circled screws/bolts at bottom of your blocks .
do these go all the way thru and fasten onto the chassis ?
Cheers

yes they do, they are actually M4 x 40mm bolts if my memory serves me correctly

[Jac Hawk]

Superb job Mike and the Audiomods arm looks great on that turntable. Your workmanship and finish are fantastic and I think you have produced a great modern upgrade to the original Thorens.

How does it sound?

Thanks for the kind words. I'm not one to put a lot of stock in a deck making much sonic difference to the music as most people hear a new deck with a different cartridge or arm on it in comparison and generally i would go down the avenue that it's the cartridge that makes the biggest difference, then the arm, and as long as the deck is quiet, spins at the right speed and can insulate from external noise then it shouldn't colour or alter the presentation in any way, well I was wrong the TD125 is in my opinion a big step up from my well fettled TD160, the deck gives tighter deeper bass and a slightly wider soundstage, overall it's a very musical deck and for the money is a steal in my opinion.

[Jac Hawk]

Great thread, great read.

Thanks Andrew