Thorens TD-121 or 124, commanding $2000-$4000 on Ebay, why?

J

jamiecantar

Well-Known Member
Never heard one personally. Are these tables just nostalgic in demand or sonically really worth these prices. Can $2000-$4000 be better spent on another table? On sonic performance I mean...

I am currently using an Ariston Audio RDlls with ADC tone arm and Nagaoka MP-11 gold cart... which i bought for $400
 
People like them. Supply and demand at work.

Whether they outperform a similarly priced newer unit, you can get a lot of turntable for 4 grand used, is up to those that spend the money.

Since there are a number of places that can make your TD right and different looking, many want to go that way. something about a table that is idler driven and these are some of the best.
 
No stock, unrestored TD-124 should command $4k (unless the arm is something outrageously good), but I can see a hot-rodded, fully restored example with a great arm, and housed in an elegant, handcrafted plinth being worth that kind of dough.

The market value for something like this is not just driven by performance; a TD-124 is also a historically significant piece of 'audio art,' a treasured classic antique, not unlike a '50s Porsche or something like that.
 
I don't know, their asking those prices, however the owners selling it won't drop 50% off unless he's hard up for the money...they may drop $500...

That's what I thought...it's similar to a 50's corvette. Heavy as hell and had a under performing small engine, however nostalgically appealing and socially in-demand because of their rarity...
 
Just get one brand new from the factory

ohh right...

Also its "Swiss Precision"
like a "Rolodex Oysterizer Perpetuator El Presidente' Sub-Mergible" watch
 
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jamiecantar said:
I don't know, their asking those prices, however the owners selling it won't drop 50% off unless he's hard up for the money...they may drop $500...

That's what I thought...it's similar to a 50's corvette. Heavy as hell and had a under performing small engine, however nostalgically appealing and socially in-demand because of their rarity...
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Or, a '63 split window with the 365bhp FI 327 .........I guess for less money one could go to a Chevy dealer today and buy the '17 model, which will out accelerate it, out brake it, out corner it, have a much better sound system, and big fat radial tires. But if I had the money, guess which pretty, bright red one would be in my drive......along with half the neighborhood wanting to touch it. ;)
 
jamiecantar said:
I don't know, their asking those prices, however the owners selling it won't drop 50% off unless he's hard up for the money...they may drop $500...
Click to expand...
That's what I thought...it's similar to a 50's corvette. Heavy as hell and had a under performing small engine, however nostalgically appealing and socially in-demand because of their rarity...[/QUOTE]

Afraid you don't have this right. A restored 124 in a good quality plinth is a very competitive table even in today's market place. Most hobbyists can do the basic work to the restoration. So if you start with a good example for $1200 or so, and do the work, you can have a restored table and plinth around the $2K mark. Then the arm and cartridge becomes a different situation, and you can spend several kilobucks in this area if you want, as this table will support upper tier arms and cartridges. The 124 I owned was on par with my Galibier Serac which sells for slightly under $5K (originally $3.3K and motor upgrade was 1.2K) without arm. The 124 is a competitive table in todays market. Not for everyone, but still a fine piece of analog gear.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
I purchased a nicely restored TD-124 and custom made plinth from a respected TT guy off US Audio Mart last year for $2K shipped

Plenty of pricey TD-124s on ebay right now and but a single pricey Garrard 401.
 
nailer said:
I purchased a nicely restored TD-124 and custom made plinth from a respected TT guy off US Audio Mart last year for $2K shipped

Plenty of pricey TD-124s on ebay right now and but a single pricey Garrard 401.
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you must be looking for a 66 Cobra instead of a 63 Vette...........I understand, I won't hold that against you, or talk behind your back.....
 
marcmorin said:
you must be looking for a 66 Cobra instead of a 63 Vette...........I understand, I won't hold that against you, or talk behind your back.....
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A cousin had a red 65 Vette, just like the one in attached photo, back in the day and had to turn it back in to the dealer for a Corvair when he figured out he couldn't afford it. His brother still enjoys telling that story and the hickey his brother took.
 

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Maybe some AK members have or have not figured out that some vintage tables like the Thorens TD-121/124 are highly collectable/desirable, same goes for speakers and amps/preamps selling for multiples of when they were new. As noted just look at vintage cars, watches, jewelry etc.
 
majick47 said:
Maybe some AK members have or have not figured out that some vintage tables like the Thorens TD-121/124 are highly collectable/desirable, same goes for speakers and amps/preamps selling for multiples of when they were new. As noted just look at vintage cars, watches, jewelry etc.
Click to expand...
And of course records..............
 
A nice restored sample is a thing of beauty - to me at least. I got mine into reasonably good shape and it sounded sublime. Sometimes sad I let it go, but my ears just don't seem to hear the subtle differences as much anymore
 
Wow, sounds really good beatcomber ty :)

Ok, so through some research this afternoon, I am learning that the Thorens 124 began in 1957. It uses a idler-drive rubbing against the inside rim of the platter with a clever use of a belt to lower the resonances...The rivals are the Gerrard 301/401. There were other brands such as Weathers, Rek-O-Kut, Lenco, Connoisseur, Collaro. From the same era. Set up properly, with attention paid to isolation and fitted with a robust Ortofon 12 inch arm, and a SPU headshell and cart, the TD124 is capable of producing rich, coherent sounds with sublime stability. The sound is fast, never sluggish, and it's a perfect source for vintage valve systems that seem a bit soft compared to more modern gear. So in summary, they are rare like an old Corvette. Are there out performers in the same $2000-$4000 price bracket? Probably yes. The short of it, the Thorens 124 has a cult following, a fan club and a certain "je ne sais quoi". Its like comparing the 50's corvette I mentioned earlier, sure a new 2017 Lincoln MKS is a lot of car for the same money and probably better in so many ways, however it doesn't have that certain "je ne sais quoi" that the old corvette can command.
 
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I have found that a price for something is worth the price IF a buyer is willing to pay the price. Another ridiculous price is for the Garrard 301/401 and again, if buyers are willing to pay, more power to the seller. If I had the money to buy one, the money will be well spent somewhere else in the system. The best example of a vintage classic turntable for me... Acoustic Research XA/XB and other AR models. With the right arm/cartridge combo, you will be hard pressed to find anything better for $1,000 and higher. It goes without saying that YMMV.

Everyone has their own opinion, and this is my opinion.
 
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