Anyone Thorens TD-126 LongBoard?

[Nachelsoul]

Hi folks.
I am newbie here in AK. My name is Ignacio and I live in Madrid, Spain. Thanks to all members, I have learnt more here than in any school I have attended.
I have a TD126 mkI recently adquired, with a TP16mkI arm. I have read few posts of people doing a mod to convert his TD125 (very similar to 126) in a TD125 Long Board, making a new plinth to accomodate a 12" tonearm. I was wondering if it would be possible do that with his brother the TD126.
The stock arm is really good but I have an Ortofon 12" I would like to use with the Thorens. Right now the Ortofon is installed in a external pod (or island) next to my Garrard 401, but I supose that with spring suspended TT you can not use tonearms unsuspended.
Any advice will be welcome.
Thanks for reading.

 

[bimasta]

Welcome Ignacio. Correct, you cannot use an external armpod with a suspended turntable. However, you can "defeat" the suspension — that is, turn the table into an unsuspended design — most turntables are like this, including many of the best, including the high-end Micro Seiki belt-drive turntables. Those MS TTs relied on high-mass plinths — and the TD126 has a very massive top-plate. I doubt you will hear any significant difference in SQ. You can try it temporarily, by immobilizing the springs so it doesn't "bounce", with no permanent change,
decide if it works for you — and easily go back to normal if you prefer.

But also, yes you can extend the TD126 to take a 12-inch arm. I did it to mine. I made a new "frame" for it, 3-inches wider. The bigger armboard, and bigger tonearm, meant extra weight, and that put extra strain on the springs. My 12-inch arm was very low mass, and the existing springs were able to handle it. I don't know about your Ortofon — you might need stiffer springs. I think it's preferable aesthetically to a pod, as you can see from the photos below...

Thorens did make a 12-inch version of your TT, the TD127. I don't know if you can find any information on it that would help in your conversion, but the photos might give you ideas...

[For some reason, the photo I added did not appear, but there are many in the link below.]

Other photos:

https://www.google.com/search?q=tho...2uy9rWAhXExVQKHS5CAY4QsAQILg&biw=1131&bih=696

 

[Nachelsoul]

However, you can "defeat" the suspension — that is, turn the table into an unsuspended design — most turntables are like this, including many of the best,

You can try it temporarily, by immobilizing the springs so it doesn't "bounce", with no permanent change,

Thanks Bimasta. I also found another possible solution to turn the 126 to a stiffer suspension, using the rubber mushrooms instead of the springs, like the very similar EMT 928 do.

Some people did it on the TD-125 with success, others says that the rumble noise is higher.
With this mod I could use both arms, stock one (TP16) and an external pod with the Ortofon without having to build a extended plinth. Also this mod could be reversible and later, if I want, I could build the extended plinth for 12" tonearms.
Thanks pal.

 

[bimasta]

Some people did it on the TD-125 with success, others says that the rumble noise is higher.

If rumble is an issue, do a thorough overhaul of the platter bearing. You probably have already, you seem very knowledgeable. If you need any tips on the bearing just ask...

I like those mushrooms. Personally, I've moved to non-suspended tables, after 25 years of only suspended tables (mostly Thorens 125 and 126, and a Linn LP12).

 

[Nachelsoul]

If rumble is an issue, do a thorough overhaul of the platter bearing. You probably have already, you seem very knowledgeable. If you need any tips on the bearing just ask...

I like those mushrooms. Personally, I've moved to non-suspended tables, after 25 years of only suspended tables (mostly Thorens 125 and 126, and a Linn LP12).

Thanks Bimaster for your comments. ATM the rumble noise is almost none, this is a real quiet TT, but the mushrooms could reveal more noise. The bearings are recently lubed no problem here.
I going to order the mushrooms kit. I will let yoou know. Thanks
Greetings from El Foro.

 

[bimasta]

I going to order the mushrooms kit. I will let you know. Thanks

Please do. I'm curious.