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Thorens TD126 mk iii thoughts.....

Jbmorrey

Jbmorrey

Active Member
interested in picking up a Thorens td126 mkiii. I currently own a Mitsubishi LT30 Turntable and an Opera Consonance Isolde manual Turntable. I enjoy both turntables but bought the Mitsubishi because of the automatic function, well, it’s great but a little TOO automatic and I am concerned about the reliability and repair costs if something goes wrong.
So enter a Thorens td126 mk iii Turntable, missing the cover and the outer platter but otherwise functions well. Would the thorens be an upgrade to the Mitsubishi, and are my concerns about possible repair costs in the future valid? And also, what is the value of the Thorens? Is this a lower or mid range thorens? I will also have to get a cartridge for it.

Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts on the Thorens

James
 
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Mk-III is the exception with a DC motor and the elaborate electronics. The least sought after and most commonly sold. Untested, with an unusual lemon rate and w/o a platter - not recommended for the inexperienced.
 
I have a 126 MK II that is a very nice table but have heard, as tnsilver said, that the DC motor was kind of a problem on the MK III.
I think I read that the 126 MK III was the only one to use the DC motor out of the 125 and 126 series.
The speed is said to fluctuate a bit with the MK III with a bad motor and once you had speed problems it was tough to work on.
I also have the LT 30 and really like the automatic features but it is kinda nice to use the Thorens now and again.
The LT30 really isn't to bad to work on. According to my tech it's easier to work on than say a PX2 or PX3. :dunno:
Nitrous is correct as well.
 
Bucky Badger said:
I have a 126 MK II that is a very nice table but have heard, as tnsilver said, that the DC motor was kind of a problem on the MK III.
I think I read that the 126 MK III was the only one to use the DC motor out of the 125 and 126 series.
The speed is said to fluctuate a bit with the MK III with a bad motor and once you had speed problems it was tough to work on.
I also have the LT 30 and really like the automatic features but it is kinda nice to use the Thorens now and again.
The LT30 really isn't to bad to work on. According to my tech it's easier to work on than say a PX2 or PX3. :dunno:
Nitrous is correct as well.
Click to expand...

It’s good to hear that the LT 30 is not so hard to work on. So with knowledge of both, how would compare the thorens to the Mitsubishi in regards to performance and sound quality. Am I really not making a significant of an upgrade with the thorens?

James
 
Personally speaking I like the LT 30 a lot. I also really like the 126 MK II a lot. One of the reasons I like the LT30 is because it's easier to change carts vs. having to change arm wands like on the Thorens. Headshells tend to be a bit cheaper than arm wands as well.
My LT30 does seem to have problems automatically reading colored or clear vinyl which can be a slight PITA but there are ways to deal with that.
Build quality is maybe a tad better on the MK II Thorens. (Feels Heavier)
Could I tell the dif. between my 2 tables if I had a Grace F9 on both running the very same gear and speakers in the same room, probably not. Both tables are nice and super quiet.
Again, this is just my personal thoughts and others would probably disagree. I have never had a 126 MK III so it's kinda tough for me to give you an honest comparison.
I would be kind of afraid to invest $$ into a table that has a poor track history, (motor) like the 126 MK III. I am sure others have a MK III and love it and have had no problems. Do some searching on the interweb and see what others are saying re. the MK III.
Is a PROPERLY WORKING MK III an upgrade from the LT30....... Maybe yes.
Is the MK II an upgrade over the LT30...... Probably yes.
YMMV.
Look for a MK II if you can find one within your budget. Thorens makes some very nice tables for sure.
 
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The TD126MkIII when operating properly is a fine table, as I owned one and know from experience. However If I were to seek one out it would be the MkII. or the more readily available TD125 MkII. (which I own) I have looked for a pristine TD126MkII for a long time but have never found one that was not set up for the stock arm most are TRD126MkIIAB (Arm/Base) The search continues!
Regards,
Jim
 
ehoove said:
The TD126MkIII when operating properly is a fine table, as I owned one and know from experience. However If I were to seek one out it would be the MkII. or the more readily available TD125 MkII. (which I own) I have looked for a pristine TD126MkII for a long time but have never found one that was not set up for the stock arm most are TRD126MkIIAB (Arm/Base) The search continues!
Regards,
Jim
Click to expand...

Ok, so this is my position, the owner claims the Turntable functions well, he said he used another platter to test it out as well as added a cart, and it played fine. I can get it for $180 and sourced an outside platter for about $60, so would about $250 be a deal good enough to take a chance? Or would I be better off fixing up other equipment that I own that could use some cosmetic and upgrade attention.

PS: I admittedly find myself never truly satisfied and this darn hobby makes me find something “new” and want it. It’s a disease of upradeitus

James
 
Bucky Badger said:
Is the MK III an upgrade from the LT30....... I don't think so. Is the MK II an upgrade over the LT30...... Maybe.
Click to expand...

I hope you are talking about reliability as the 126 is a great table, only thing that helps the LT is the LT feature otherwise the 126 is the one.

I'm with Jim on this one for that investment a working 126 is a buy.
 
Hello

If I was you , I will not buy any TD126 MKIII
The motor is not a simple motor
There is a tachimeter on the bottom of the motor . When your motor start to spin, the electronic circuit is connected to the tachimeter and adjust the speed to control any variation of the speed . Unfortunately this motor is no more available new (I will not buy or use any second hand motor . You don't know how old is it and how long he will spin without any problem , so ...)
On the top of the motor you can see a "ring" which is there to balance the long shaft of the motor and the tachimeter .
The main problem with this DC motor is the bearings who once they are old it is over , the motor is bad.
If you want to buy a TD126MKIII , take the pulley between your thumb and your index and make it spinning like a spinnig top .If you can hear any noise when the motor is spinning then it is over the bearings are dead

Here is a picture of a brand new motor with the new aluminium pulley (on the left of the picture) and next to him (on the right) , the original type made by PAPST (in 1979 for this one)

TD126-motor.JPG

this new motor is no more available
I took this picture many years ago when I was servicing TD126MKIII 3 (3 or 4 per week) , a long time ago
 
Blue Shadow said:
I hope you are talking about reliability as the 126 is a great table, only thing that helps the LT is the LT feature otherwise the 126 is the one.

I'm with Jim on this one for that investment a working 126 is a buy.
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The reliability issue, specifically with the motor, is what I was talking about. If the motor wasn't an issue in the MK III I would agree with Jim and you Mr Shadow. The 126 is a great table, I agree, and for 250.00 it could be a Great deal IF in proper working condition.
Heck, if it's in good cosmetic condition and the motor craps out you could probably get your money back parting it out.
Good info from clinic-audio re. spinning the motor shaft and listening. :thumbsup:
Don't know that I agree with ya on the statement, "only thing that helps the LT is the LT feature"
I think the Mitsubishi LT30 is a lot easier to set up cart wise as well as the ability to adjust VTA and VTF.

But what do I know, I'm a freakin' Badger.:)
 
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Jbmorrey said:
bought the Mitsubishi because of the automatic function, well, it’s great but a little TOO automatic and I am concerned about the reliability and repair costs if something goes wrong.
Click to expand...

How is it TOO automatic? It either is full, partial or manual. The LT30 offers full or manual. If the concern is high, there is BarterTown and I’d be checking it out. As others have pointed out. The LT30 is a solid table and relatively straight forward to service with plenty of support threads here.
 
I had a an MK1 years ago and the sound was exceptional. At one point though the automation went wonky. I put a new arm on it and used it manually for a while and it sounded great as well. It was hands down the most robust turntable I have ever owned. Massive.
 
I’ve owned a Thorens TD126MKIII Base/Arm (with Shure V15-V Cartridge) for several years and find it to be a very nice and reliable table. I’ve read many negative comments on the motor but can report, in my case, its a non issue. In fact the 126III is about to go back into rotation as I send my primary tonearm out for service.
 
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=124406&hilit=td126+mkIII
I have a TD126 III. I might be lucky because it operates normally. Although for anyone considering the purchase of a TD126-III I would suggest reading the above link to an informative thread. An individual with enough technical skill decided to work on one and published his findings to the thread.
The thread discusses not only the technical challenges that might be faced, but also the history of the model as well as describing the technology behind its motor control system.

In brief the motor design is of the tacho-generator type and the control electronics is specific to it and no other. I could also state that Thorens, at that time (1978) was corporate linked with EMT. The tachogenerator motors were in use by EMT on their direct drive models including the 950, 948 and 938. The TD126-III, it was discovered within the above linked thread, was derived from this design heritage. Fwiw.
-Steve
 
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Yeah I know, I should always consult the audio gods before buying but for the pittance I paid, it still was a no-brainer. Seller knew nothing - seems like it may have been a cleanout of a relative's business - and I haven't even removed it from the trunk but here it is, the notorious TD 126 Mk III, new to me. We'll see how it goes. Nice looking table though, and very heavy. Lot's of tape residue, otherwise in decent shape overall. Check out that Audioquest mat!

image3.jpeg


image1.jpeg
 
HiFi in WYO said:
but here it is, the notorious TD 126 Mk III
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It's just the DC motor on this specific mark (III) that's notorious for endurance, and not even that is always true. If the motor runs and it's on speed, this turntable is real top notch performance able. Looks like it needs some well deserved TLC. Good luck!!!
 
Got it home last night and started some cleaning and tinkering. All the tape residue has been on there so long that it flecks off with a fingernail so that's good. As for the table it does work as do all of the lights. Not sure it's quite running at speed (not sure those phone apps are the most accurate) but it's close and I was able to keep it constant. It'll get torn down and cleaned and I'll get a new belt and then we'll see. By the condition of the tape, it's been resting a long time, so it's kind of amazing it seems to work.
 
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