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Thorens TD 126 mkII circuit board repair or Origin Live DC motor kit

Old Vinyl

New Member
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I have a nearly 50 year old Thorens TD 126 mkII fitted with a Fidelity Research FR64s tonearm that has recently blew a fuse. It has the original electronics and I realize this probably means replacing capacitors and related parts to bring it back to life. It's a nice sounding turntable recently restored with custom plinth, new dustcover, Linn black springs, etc. Although I'm dazed and confused, my possible options are:

1. Replace motor and electronics with Origin Live DC100 motor kit. This seems like the easiest solution and should prevent any future electrical failures. I'm a little concerned about the mounting options available with the kit but should be able to figure something out. Has anyone successfully installed this kit on their Thorens?
2. Purchase a capacitor kit from seller on Ebay and carefully try to replace the suspect electronics. I've done this kind of thing in the past but now at 70 years old, I am concerned how stressful the job may become. If I go this route a schematic showing the capacitors that should be replaced will have to be located.
3. Send the circuit boards out to a reputable shop and have them replace the faulty electronics. This would also be fairly easy for me but when completed I still have a turntable with 50 year old circuit boards which could be problematic in the future.

If anyone has suggestions it would be appreciated. I have three other turntables that I can use including another TD 126 mkII but the FR64s tonearm is special and sounds magnificent with a Denon Dl 103s.

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
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Despite it's reputation the O/L motor kit it is very, very basic in terms of it's controller. The fact that many, many Linn users went for it, just shows how crappy the original Linn was.
In saying that it you want to do your wonderful arm full justice then go DC, but with an off board motor in a motor pod with a suitable controller.

Cheers
 
Despite it's reputation the O/L motor kit it is very, very basic in terms of it's controller. The fact that many, many Linn users went for it, just shows how crappy the original Linn was.
In saying that it you want to do your wonderful arm full justice then go DC, but with an off board motor in a motor pod with a suitable controller.

Cheers
A DC motor on this is an insult to fine Swiss and German engineering. And no, that motor won't do full justice to a fine classic Thorens. Which had an EMT relative. A note: Don't mod fine classics with nonsense and hackery.
 
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