-edible zone-
-- The TD125 Dept.
-- Some
history of the model.
-- From the period in Lahr, Germany when
Thorens was newly under the corporate wing of Wilhelm Franz and EMT. Dr.
Pasini tells us, in his Thorens history article* (footnote) that EMT
worked with Thorens engineers to develop the TD125.
*footnote: "The
Legacy of Thorens "TD" Series Turntable Classics" link - http://www.stefanopasini.it/images/Thor1215.pdf
1968 - Introduction of the TD125 electronically-controlled (Wien
Bridge Oscillator) turntable equipped with the TP25 tonearm. This table
replaces the TD124 II as the flagship of the product line. The TD125,
like the TD150, is belt driven and suspended via a 3 point suspension.
Like it's little brother, the TD150, it also is a "purists" model with
all manual controls.
Early production units also share the same
platters and bearing shaft with the TD150. Early TD125 models will be
found with the captive bearing ball on the spindle shaft tip. Later
production models replaced this with a solid steel conical shaped tip to
carry the vertical thrust load. The bearing housing on the early models
differed from later production models. Early TD125 model platter
bearings were housed in a large cast aluminum housing featuring a 3 bolt
hole pattern for attachment to the subchassis plate. Later production
bearings were of the press-in variety with a much slimmer machined steel
housing.
Differing from the TD150, this model features a much
more massive and solid construction throughout. The motor function
offered 3 speeds: 16, 33-1/3 and 45. This table was also offered in an
optional "LB" edition. The "TD125 LB" featured a longer cabinet and
armboard to accommodate longer 12 inch tonearms.
1972 - The
introduction of the TD125 MkII. The most apparent change to this revised
model is the new TP16 tonearm which is now packaged as the standard
equipment offering. The new tonearm features gimbal 4-point pivot
bearings, magnetic anti-skate control and a new detachable magnesium
headshell, the TP60. Effective mass of the new arm is rated at 16.5
grams.
-- Refinements to the oscillator motor control circuitry are
made. Platter bearings are all of the press-in design with solid tip
shafts by this time.
1974 - The introduction of the TD126 which
replaced the TD125 MkII.
end TD125 history.
___________________________________horizontal rule
Finding a proper replacement belt some notes and guidelines
*
The TP16 tonearm disassembled, repaired and then
reassembled and then tested.
*
Ron Will's TD125 Long Base in pieces
and then back together again.
*
TD125 mk1 Description. An inside-the-box photo essay by Bushman.
___________________________________________________horizontal rule
--#
--# Above: TD125 mkII circuit board. Click on the image for the higher resolution image of it.
Parts list in Excel format for above circuit board.
--Thanks to Nick Magelakis (Australia) for donating these photos from his restoration project.
_________________________________________________________horizontal rule
-- TD125 MK1 & MKII service manual, Eng/Ger/Fr (pdf)
-- User manual: TD125 MKII (pdf)
-- Procedural - Thorens TD125 mkII - Controller Board Rebuild By Mark Handley (pdf)
-- Vintage Sales Brochures
*
TD125 sales brochure. Courtesy of Loron Knowlen.
*
Above: Another TD125 sales brochure. Courtesy of Loron Knowlen.
*
--
Tweaking the TD125-6 ala Rolf Kelch -
When you've got the entire parts inventory of the old Thorens production
facility at Lahr, possibilities abound.
Suspension Tuning by Tim Bailey