Well, I have got myself another turntable. It’s a Thorens 124, and Im delighted to have it.
A little background to the reasons behind this purchase.
About 6 months ago, after a bit of a search, I bought a Garrard 401. I then spent a few months getting it up and running, and this finally happened a couple of months ago. Here is a thread I started on that turntable if of interest to anyone.
http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?91481-My-quot-new-quot-Garrard-401
I really like my 401. It looks great and sounds great too, and I am really pleased to own such a beautiful thing.
However, I also enjoyed the few months of hussling around, putting the whole thing together, and was sorry when that side of things had finished.
So, I decided to do it again, with another turntable. I liked the idea of bringing an old vintage one back to life, so started to look for a Garrard 301 or a Thorens 124.
So, here I am .
What have I got. Well, its just the basic motor unit. No arm board, arm or plinth.
It looks to be in really great condition and very well cared for. The paintwork is virtually unmarked. All the levers seem to work and “things” seem to move underneath when I move the various levers. With the plinth off, everything looks really clean and tidy. Similarly if I look from underneath.
I havent seen it working yet. The power cable is 2 pronged affair that used to go into an amp. The seller had previously sold those. So, I suppose I took a chance. I bought it based on the “vibe” I got from the seller. It felt right and he didn’t feel like a “blagger”. Time will tell if Ive been conned.
I suppose the worst that could happen is that it is completely shot, but I don’t feel that this will be the case.
Anyway, that is part of the idea. It is a “project “ for me to get it up and running.
I want to do some experimenting with this. Mainly arms and especially plinths.
I suppose the easiest option would be to buy a standard plinth and an arm board and arm. I don’t want to just do that.
I love the compact look of the “normal “ plinth. It is just a little bigger than the motor unit, and looks just “right“. Big Jack has just recently got one of these up and running and has used such a plinth. It looks fantastic.
The problem is that I want to try 12” arms on mine. Now, I see that I can get arm boards to suit these arms, but I would end up with the arm board sticking out the side, like a “Diving Board“ , hovering in mid air, with nothing underneath.
I don’t fancy that look. In addition, all the gubbings of the arm pillar and cable etc would be visible. Not for me, Im afraid.
So, if I need/want an armboard to accommodate a 12” arm, I need a bigger plinth.
Im going to try to make one, or at least have one made. But I want to do it on the cheap, as I want to do some experiments.
Basically, there have been a few threads here recently where the subject of Plinth construction was talked about. Someone talked about using Kingspan (building insulation foam) in a plinth. Someone else talked about sand in the plinth.
Those got my interest. I had already been thinking about using some roof slates that I have. Plaster of paris also interested me. Loads of options.
So, my plan at the moment is to get a top plinth made, probably out of ply, and fit the Thorens into it. Then build a big rectangular box, for this to sit on. Then fill the box with various materials and see what happens. Of course this may not be the best way to go sound wise and I may end up with a conventional plinth. Who knows?
ARMS.
I have an SME 3012 (12”) on the Garrard and it sounds really nice. I also have an Audio Origami 12” PU7, which is waiting to go on the Garrard. (need to measure/cut the arm board)
So, I have a few options
1) leave the 3012 on the 401 and put the PU7 on Thorens
2) put the PU7 on the Garrard and 3012 on the Thorens.
3) Put a 3012 on both turntables. This is my favoured option. It would be great to directly compare the 2 T/T’s
The PU7 can then eventually go on the favourite T/T.
Anyway, for the moment, that’s about it. I have just got it and thought I would scribble down some initial thoughts. Im sure more will emerge.
A little background to the reasons behind this purchase.
About 6 months ago, after a bit of a search, I bought a Garrard 401. I then spent a few months getting it up and running, and this finally happened a couple of months ago. Here is a thread I started on that turntable if of interest to anyone.
http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?91481-My-quot-new-quot-Garrard-401
I really like my 401. It looks great and sounds great too, and I am really pleased to own such a beautiful thing.
However, I also enjoyed the few months of hussling around, putting the whole thing together, and was sorry when that side of things had finished.
So, I decided to do it again, with another turntable. I liked the idea of bringing an old vintage one back to life, so started to look for a Garrard 301 or a Thorens 124.
So, here I am .
What have I got. Well, its just the basic motor unit. No arm board, arm or plinth.
It looks to be in really great condition and very well cared for. The paintwork is virtually unmarked. All the levers seem to work and “things” seem to move underneath when I move the various levers. With the plinth off, everything looks really clean and tidy. Similarly if I look from underneath.
I havent seen it working yet. The power cable is 2 pronged affair that used to go into an amp. The seller had previously sold those. So, I suppose I took a chance. I bought it based on the “vibe” I got from the seller. It felt right and he didn’t feel like a “blagger”. Time will tell if Ive been conned.
I suppose the worst that could happen is that it is completely shot, but I don’t feel that this will be the case.
Anyway, that is part of the idea. It is a “project “ for me to get it up and running.
I want to do some experimenting with this. Mainly arms and especially plinths.
I suppose the easiest option would be to buy a standard plinth and an arm board and arm. I don’t want to just do that.
I love the compact look of the “normal “ plinth. It is just a little bigger than the motor unit, and looks just “right“. Big Jack has just recently got one of these up and running and has used such a plinth. It looks fantastic.
The problem is that I want to try 12” arms on mine. Now, I see that I can get arm boards to suit these arms, but I would end up with the arm board sticking out the side, like a “Diving Board“ , hovering in mid air, with nothing underneath.
I don’t fancy that look. In addition, all the gubbings of the arm pillar and cable etc would be visible. Not for me, Im afraid.
So, if I need/want an armboard to accommodate a 12” arm, I need a bigger plinth.
Im going to try to make one, or at least have one made. But I want to do it on the cheap, as I want to do some experiments.
Basically, there have been a few threads here recently where the subject of Plinth construction was talked about. Someone talked about using Kingspan (building insulation foam) in a plinth. Someone else talked about sand in the plinth.
Those got my interest. I had already been thinking about using some roof slates that I have. Plaster of paris also interested me. Loads of options.
So, my plan at the moment is to get a top plinth made, probably out of ply, and fit the Thorens into it. Then build a big rectangular box, for this to sit on. Then fill the box with various materials and see what happens. Of course this may not be the best way to go sound wise and I may end up with a conventional plinth. Who knows?
ARMS.
I have an SME 3012 (12”) on the Garrard and it sounds really nice. I also have an Audio Origami 12” PU7, which is waiting to go on the Garrard. (need to measure/cut the arm board)
So, I have a few options
1) leave the 3012 on the 401 and put the PU7 on Thorens
2) put the PU7 on the Garrard and 3012 on the Thorens.
3) Put a 3012 on both turntables. This is my favoured option. It would be great to directly compare the 2 T/T’s
The PU7 can then eventually go on the favourite T/T.
Anyway, for the moment, that’s about it. I have just got it and thought I would scribble down some initial thoughts. Im sure more will emerge.