Thorens TD-125 mkII turntable SME 3009 tonearm, Sumiko cartridge

This listing is for a well cared for Thorens TD 125 MKII belt driven turntable in very good overall condition. Includes an SME 3009 tonearm with a Thorens head shell and a Sumiko Blue Point MC cartridge mounted. Set in a Rosewood base, no dust cover. Will be very over packed and partially disassembled.

Underrated at a 7.

Below is an article that gives the evolution and comparison between the 125 and the 125 MKII, we are selling the MKII.        Interesting reading. 

The TD-125 is belt driven, it was one of the first
turntables where the speed was controlled electronically rather than
just an AC synchronous design. The speeds on the 125 were 16, 33, and 45
RPM. A strobe was included to dial in the speed. Some were sold with a
stock arm, but it appears at least anecdotally that many many more were
sold with SME tonearms or other brands. Finally, unlike many of the
other suspended turntables on the market, in this case the whole top
plate floats on three springs, rather than using a sub chassis design.
The top plate isolates the platter system and the tonearm from the
energy vibrations produced from the motor and also the environment.  The
125 gave way to the 125 MKII in 1972.

In terms of differences between the two, let me start first with the
similarities. Each uses an identical 10 mm drive platter. To my
knowledge, all of the TD-125 turntables used a captured ball bearing
design. I’ve seen early TD-125 MKII turntables, also with this captured
ball bearing design. However, that is the minority. Far more have a
conical designed bearing. As someone who has worked on these turntables
for 20 years, I don’t see one advantage over the other. Both are very
quiet and made with high-quality materials. One thing I do like about
the design of the TD-125 platter system, is the shaft well itself is
removable with three screws that are triangulated around the well
opening. It’s great to be able to remove that both to work on the well
and to clean in that area. The outer platter itself is identical on each
turntable. The platters are identical and they are made of zamac.

The plinth design is identical. They are veneer over a particleboard
of some kind. The bottom portion is a black strip that in some cases was
painted, and another cases seems to be ironed on vinyl strips. Over the
course of time, Thorens used different screws to mount the chassis to
the plinth, but they were all identical in terms of the thread size.
Both plinths use a fiberboard bottom plate, and the originals came with
felt pads as feet. It seems that the armboards changed over time in
terms of materials. I’ve never done a study of that or taken them for
analysis. Some appear to be a painted plywood where you can easily see
the layers on the edges, and others appear to be a wood composite, where
the finish is more smooth on the edges. Both MKI and MKII utilize the
same dustcover and hinge design.

The most significant difference between the two turntables is in the
motor design and the electronic speed control. With the TD-125 MKII,
Thorens introduced a clutch into the pulley which takes up slack in the
belt at startup so that a steady speed is achieved more quickly. The 125
has a one piece pulley. In my experience, with a fresh belt on each
turntable, it takes approximately 3 to 4 more seconds for the 125 to
achieve a steady speed on the strobe. If you’re belt is brand-new or
very old, there is sometimes slightly more noise at startup on the
TD-125.  That’s belt slippage and lasts 1-2 seconds as it gets the
torque to spin that heavy platter system.

In terms of performance the same tonearm and same cartridge on these
turntables and A/B-ed them for a room full of listeners, almost no one
would be able to tell the difference between the two.

Revised shipping policy as of September 20, 2017.

Due to items lost or damaged in shipping, any item over $50.00 in

cost will require delivery confirmation and insurance for the sale

amount. It is unfortunate that this is necessary but experience has

proven it is well worth the small extra cost. We apologize for this, but

it is for the good of all involved.

TERMS:


All listings are plus shipping unless noted. 7.00% sales tax added

to all In-state destinations. This unit is guaranteed to be in "as

described" working condition (unless otherwise noted) upon arrival and

has a 60 day limited warranty, baring any abuse. 15% restocking fee on

all returns unless defective or "not as described"

SHIPPING:


We ship internationally on smaller items . Domestic packages are

shipped via Fed Ex. All international shipping quotes will include

insurance and delivery confirmation. Shipping charges reflect actual

cost of shipping, plus a nominal fee for packaging materials.

INSURANCE:


International shipments to countries that do not allow insurance,

buyer assumes FULL RESPONSIBILITY for the safe shipment of their

packages. Sound Ideas cannot provide refunds or compensation for

packages shipped without shipping insurance. All shipping quotes for

packages shipped includes insurance.

RETURNS:


Any item may be returned within 15 days for a full refund of the

purchase price, not including shipping, unless otherwise stated in the
ad.

It must arrive back at our store in the same condition as
sent. 15% restocking fee on new items that were opened.

International purchases need to be returned with incoming custom's
duty prepaid, if any. Any postage or import duty that is due upon
arrival will be deducted from the refund. 15% restocking fee also on all
returns unless defective or "not as described."

Thank-you for your time and interest!