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Thorens TD125 and Shure SME 3009 II

CDinMB

CDinMB

Active Member
I have the chance to pick up TD125 mark II with SME 3009 MkII locally, in good working condition but no dust cover or cart. It seems like a good buy based on pricing I've seen online but, how does it compare to my Rega RP6? Is it an upgrade or not?
 
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I've owned that combo. I'd say they're roughly equivalent in terms of quality, but they have a very different presentation both sonically and in terms of overall aesthetics.

Think of the Thorens as being like a 40-year-old Mercedes and the Rega as being like a recent model Lexus. Both will get you where you want to go in style. But it's a different style. Of course, a lot depends on the rest of the setup (cartridge, preamp, etc).
 
MB and Lexus are on the same end of the driving the living room couch down the highway compared to the more sporting brands so that comparison didn't enlighten me as much as your description could have. Another way to look at those two mentions is that the MB once rebuilt will last another million miles and the Lexus doesn't need a rebuild or any work to be what it is for the next half million miles. Well maybe a set of front brake pads.

The Thorens is a true classic, always will be. The Rega is a good Rega and I have no idea what it will be in 25 years, not that it will matter then.
 
I've been watching that sale as well. If I didn't already have a 160 and a 126 I'd be over there checking it out. I did email him about an extra tone arm but never heard back Good luck with your decision.

Mike
 
Blue Shadow said:
that comparison didn't enlighten me as much as your description could have.
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This is why I said the thing about the rest of the setup.

I think a Rega will pull more detail and more dimensionality/soundstage than the Thorens will. The Thorens will have a tonal depth -- big and warm and silky -- that the Rega won't. Like I said, very different presentations. Both are great decks. It's hard to go wrong with either.
 
I own a Thorens TD-125 and like it very much. But I am just into vintage turntables. I have owned some new turntables of lesser quality but of the same price. My Pro-Ject
"The Classic" comes to mind that is sitting in the closet broken while the TD-125 is still spinning after all these years. You are comparing the TD-125 to the Rega RP6 are you saying they are the same price?
 
Thanks guys. I absolutely get the MB/Lexus metaphor. Having recently purchased vintage speakers (replace x-over, new woofer) and amps (caps and resistors) I expect to put some parts in the 40 yr old MB, I mean Thorens. I love the Rega and although I am not an MB or Lexus guy, I have driven them and understand the differences. So yeah, I expected the presentation of the Thorens to be different than the RP6. That may be something I want on some material. I like big sound stage with defined instrument placement, who doesn't, but I am old enough to get nostalgic over old school sound too. It may be a good match to the rest of my vintage components. I am still searching for a tube pre.

I guess at the entry price it may be worth trying it. Wife gave me a shrug when I mentioned it, so I take that as a buy.
Carmen
 
AudioSoul said:
I own a Thorens TD-125 and like it very much. But I am just into vintage turntables. I have owned some new turntables of lesser quality but of the same price. My Pro-Ject
"The Classic" comes to mind that is sitting in the closet broken while the TD-125 is still spinning after all these years. You are comparing the TD-125 to the Rega RP6 are you saying they are the same price?
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The Thorens is listed at (<$400) about 1/4th the price of a new RP6 ($1500), so it is a good deal assuming it only needs a dust cover and cart. Big assumption but tempting non the less.
 
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It needs a full service but that is something that many here can do and the parts are not expensive.
 
AudioSoul said:
My Pro-Ject
"The Classic" comes to mind that is sitting in the closet broken while the TD-125 is still spinning after all these years.
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This. As someone who does a LOT of vintage repair and refurbs, I have to ask skeptical customers: Which is more reassuring? A 1 yr warranty vs something that has ALREADY lasted over 40 times that long? I can say without hesitancy that newer entry-level units are statistically more likely to break tomorrow. That's just the reality of the situation.
 
As the noob here, I gotta say the reason I originally went Rega was the fact they carried the vinyl banner when most companies abandoned it, and their units seem to hold up over the long haul. People seem to use them for years so the Lexus association is dead on; new but built well and good for 30 years. Does that describe the RP6 price point? We'll see. I believe the Thorens will work for the next 30 years also, at which point I will need someone to put the records on for me and I'll think I'm hearing every old song for the first time! :)

Trying to schedule a time to see the unit.
Carmen
 
The thing about buying a vintage turntable is that if you decide you don't like it you can sell it for what you paid for it or more. With a new TT you loose money as soon as you use it once....
 
Ok, so I brought it home. The SME is a mark 2 improved arm w/ fixed head so not the most sought after, but the turntable was fully serviced and is dead steady in the center of the adjustment range. It is missing the finger lift and bias weight and guide wire, so I need to find those or build replacements. He threw in a Shure M44-7 cart which will get me started.

Any ideas if replacement parts are available?

IMG_2398.JPG

Down the rabbit hole...
Carmen
 
I was NEXT in line if you passed on it, Grats on a great Table. I Really Like the 125 table, I hope I can find another thorens (and a good deal like you got) soon
 
finger lifts are on the bay and the antiskate parts are at an sme parts supplier you can find with a google of sme parts.

More desirable for most, the fixed headshell compared to the removable but some want the change ability. This is the less desirable arm in the SME 3009 line up but it is an SME and that means it is a fine arm. That is a classic turntable and you can get an aftermarket dust cover if you need one.
 
Finjima said:
I was NEXT in line if you passed on it, Grats on a great Table. I Really Like the 125 table, I hope I can find another thorens (and a good deal like you got) soon
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Finjima,
Man, sorry about that. He is about 3 miles from my house and has a lot old audio equipment and vinyl/CDs. This was the third and last 125 he had. But I suspect he will find more. Good luck with the search!
Carmen
 
I almost picked it up but back off as I already have at least a dozen tables. I don't have a Thorens thoughj, but the arm interested me as I could have tried it on my SP 10MkII.
 
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