If its in rough shape where you are going to be spending significant cash restoring the table I wouldn't go higher than $500 and that may be stretching things a bit. Check around to see what a TD-124II is going for for a totally restored unit in order to get a pulse check what these cost...ready to spin.
Also keep in mind that if you are going to make one of these for yourself, this is a fine turntable but is only a spinner and you will need to add some things to get a working turntable. You can find these totally restored in a variety of plinths, with or without armboards and with a variety of tonearms. Doing the same for yourself is not an inexpensive undertaking.
An armboard for a TD-124II is not going to be hard to find but you need to decide what tonearm you are going to use with this table. A fully restored TD-124II is quite a fine sounding unit but it is only as good as the plinth, armboard and tonearm that you conbine the TD-124II with.
This is similiar to buying a SP-10II, SP-15, SP-25 or Garrard 301 or 401. Many times you will be getting a motor unit only and the cost of a plinth, armboard and tonearm has to be figured into the equation.
Its a big duh but it needs to be said. The choice of the plinth, armboard and tonearm greatly effects the sound of the TD-124II. The TD-124II dictates the drive, noise immunity and pace, rhythm and timing but will not dictate the rest of the sound of the turntable.
You can spend a lot of cash on a nice TD-124II setup because a quality plinth can be expensive as well as a top quality tonearm and armboard. There are some beautiful plinths out there to be had for a TD-124II but don't pass out when you find out what these cost if you decide to buy rather than build your own plinth.
I assume you know what a quality tonearm costs but its totally up to you which tonearm you choose. My only comment is that you are talking about restoring a TD-124II and putting a substandard tonearm on the table could be a waste of the rest of the money you spend on the restoration.
In the end its a lot cheaper to buy a turntable already setup but you will not get the chance to setup something that is unique to you. Whether that is worth the cost to get into a nice TD-124II is a personal decision.
I might do it but I would probably lean towards restoring a Technics SP-10II but I wouldn't turn down a deal on a TD-124II.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 04/20/12
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