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RE: Thorens TD-125 and TD-126 differences?

Posted by user510 on April 15, 2013 at 20:30:28

In Reply to: Thorens TD-125 and TD-126 differences? posted by audio39 on April 15, 2013 at 15:52:34:

I have a TD126 mkIII. I haven't used it yet. Other projects are on the front burners. But I can point out a few similarities and a few differences.

Both were flagship models within the Thorens product line-up. The TD125 replaced the TD124mkII. The TD126 replaced the TD125mkII. the TD124 was a belt-idler drive train. The TD125 and later models were belt driven.

Both TD125 and TD126 have a built-in strobe and electronic speed regulation. As the models progressed from TD125 to TD125 mkII and then to TD126, mkII and mkIII, the speed control electronics was updated for each mark. The TD126 mkIII differs from the previous TD126 iterations in that it discarded the AC synchronous motor in favor of a 72-pole DC tacho-generator motor and controller. The mkIII appears to have a much higher torque rating than did the previous synchronous models.

Otherwise, the suspended sub-chassis layout remained similar between TD125 and TD126 models. Platters and bearings changed only slightly, with the TD126 mkIII going to a smaller shaft diameter than previous models.

As pointed out earlier in this thread, the TD125 models had a 16 rpm selection intended to play talking book records, which never quite caught on. Also there was a TD125 "LB" model featuring a stretched plinth with a 12 inch tonearm. This model was intended to be able to play 16 inch transcription discs. Similarly, there was a LB model in the TD126 lineup but it was dubbed the TD127.

Meantime, the TD126 models dispensed with the 16 rpm speed and instead offered a 78 rpm selection as its option.

Both being 3-speed models. The predecessor, the TD124 was a 4 speed model that offered not only 16 rpm at its slow setting but also 78 rpm at its upper setting. Just saying.....;^)

Another significant difference was the operation of these units. The TD125 and mkII were manual turntables. The TD126 and its successors were semi-automatic turntables offering 3 different modes of play.
fully manual
auto arm lift at end of record
arm lift at end of record, but also motor on as the tonearm is lowered into the lead-in groove. (just reading the manual here) I haven't had time to actually drive this thing.

Trim:
Both had plinths constructed out of some sort of press board. The TD125, both marks tended to be delivered with a Teak veneer trim. (Kind of a Scandinavian style) The TD126 had similar fiber board construction but its base price offering included a black vinyl film covering its plinth. Optionally these could be had in Rosewood veneer.

For a time it was popular in Europe to have room furnishings in gloss white. Thorens offered most of its model line-up with a white trim option. Although I haven't seen either model in white, I presume that there were those.

Btw I have the website previously mentioned, The Analog Dept.
On that site is a Thorens history page which offers a time-line history of the different model turntables starting with the TD124 and ending with the closing of the Thorens factories in Lahr at the turn of the century.

See link below if interested.

-Steve

• http://www.theanalogdept.com/thorens_history.htm   (Open in New Window)

Edits: 04/15/13 04/15/13

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