Connoiseur BD-103
- Thread starter devildog
- Start date
125/II nice table
Have owned a couple of these. The 125-II has generally been a reliable table - here are what I would describe as known issues : a.) the three suspension springs are often times requiring replacement at this late date. I used Linn LP-12 springs on my latest - worked fine and sounded great on bagpipe tunes ! b.) belts. Ordered a couple from the usual suspects - no go. Finally ordered a Thacker belt and a geniune Thorens belt from WilliamThacker ( or is it Thaker ?) in Germany. Relativly inexpensive and arrived airmail within about 10 days - both worked perfectly. At this late date I always keep two belts around for each belt drive table. c.) The electronics on these have proven pretty long lived . However - if they do go - like a lot of vintage electronics - not a lot of fun to fix. Try to buy a table that can be demonstrated to run on speed before purchase.d.) bearing oil . If this has turned to grease or tar - wipe it off/out with q-tips and 91% ISO and relube with a good light oil. I've been quit pleased with the Origin Live oil. e.) If it seems to be running off speed - pull the platter and see if the strobe disc under the platter is firmly and flatly still adhered. Had a couple of these that ran fine on speed checked with my strobes and this was all that was wrong with them . f.) Like ALL suspended chassis tables - these are a bit of a fiddle to set up. Worth the trouble IMO.
Have owned a couple of these. The 125-II has generally been a reliable table - here are what I would describe as known issues : a.) the three suspension springs are often times requiring replacement at this late date. I used Linn LP-12 springs on my latest - worked fine and sounded great on bagpipe tunes ! b.) belts. Ordered a couple from the usual suspects - no go. Finally ordered a Thacker belt and a geniune Thorens belt from WilliamThacker ( or is it Thaker ?) in Germany. Relativly inexpensive and arrived airmail within about 10 days - both worked perfectly. At this late date I always keep two belts around for each belt drive table. c.) The electronics on these have proven pretty long lived . However - if they do go - like a lot of vintage electronics - not a lot of fun to fix. Try to buy a table that can be demonstrated to run on speed before purchase.d.) bearing oil . If this has turned to grease or tar - wipe it off/out with q-tips and 91% ISO and relube with a good light oil. I've been quit pleased with the Origin Live oil. e.) If it seems to be running off speed - pull the platter and see if the strobe disc under the platter is firmly and flatly still adhered. Had a couple of these that ran fine on speed checked with my strobes and this was all that was wrong with them . f.) Like ALL suspended chassis tables - these are a bit of a fiddle to set up. Worth the trouble IMO.
The 125 is an impressive machine, both sonically and visually. But I can't agree enough with the caution to make sure that the electronics work properly. They use something called a Wein Bridge which is more complicated than usual. They aren't so rare that you need to settle for a non working one unless, of course, you like a challenge and (or) its really super cheap.
skandl
Super Member
Man thats a pretty sharp looking deck, you could alway remove the top cover and get a custom one built. I think you scored big on the arm and carts congrats I hope you get it running before you put it up for sell.
