TD124/VPI 9T Project

Posted by FSonicSmith (A) on August 3, 2012 at 07:52:04

I've posted on this table before and I apologize for any offended that I am posting again. I guess I am proud of it and besides, I have modified it and now taken better photos of it since last time. This is my Thorens TD124 which I had restored by James Campbell (who can be contacted at Jec@afo.net No connection-I have never met the man but I can vouch that he does great work!). James built the solid birch ply plinth and the armboard. Actually, he has built about seven armboards for me. As you can see, I have a VPI 9T arm mounted on it. In order to accomplish proper VTA, I had to remove the thumbwheel VTA adjustor on the arm column and add a Herbies mat and recess the armboard where the bracket for the junction box sits as detailed in the lower photo. I originally set up this table with an SME3009 SII that I had rewired and rebuilt by Alfred Keyser of smetonearms.com up in Canada. I was not happy with the SME arm. I found it clunky and outdated, though I respect those that coax great sound from it. I like VPI arms for their relative simplicity and compatability with more modern MC cartridges (again, a subject of honest debate). I have a VPI Classic too and with Benz Glider LOs, the sound is very similar, but distinctly different. The Classic is a bit more neutral bordering ever so slightly on the sterile side IMO, whereas the same record played on the TD124 sounds a bit punchier, The Classic can coax more detail and deeper bass, but subjectively the TD124 sounds more bass heavy as it seems to emphasize the mid-bass a bit. Some would consider this a fault, but it is subjectively pleasant in my listening room. I had a lot of folks tell me "good luck" mating a VPI 9T to a TD124. I have to think there a few if any who have the same combination. Needless to say, I am very happy with it.

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Topic - TD124/VPI 9T Project - FSonicSmith 07:52:04 08/03/12 (14)

armboard - LousyTourist 04:56:40 08/04/12 (1)

RE: armboard - obscomp@msn.com 08:34:36 08/04/12 (0)

RE: TD124/VPI 9T Project - AudioSoul 16:30:53 08/03/12 (0)

RE: TD124/VPI 9T Project - FSonicSmith 07:55:01 08/03/12 (2)

RE: TD124/VPI 9T Project - gotoma8 12:32:36 08/03/12 (1)

RE: TD124/VPI 9T Project - FSonicSmith 15:55:26 08/03/12 (0)

RE: TD124/VPI 9T Project - FSonicSmith 07:54:17 08/03/12 (7)

RE: TD124/VPI 9T Project - gotoma8 11:34:46 11/29/12 (1)

RE: TD124/VPI 9T Project - FSonicSmith 11:56:34 11/29/12 (0)

Beautiful table... - fishy 08:30:02 08/03/12 (4)

RE: Beautiful table... - FSonicSmith 08:43:19 08/03/12 (3)

It shoul not be glued down - Jim Austin 08:46:25 08/03/12 (2)

RE: It shoul not be glued down - FSonicSmith 09:10:49 08/03/12 (1)

Nope. - Jim Austin 09:11:52 08/03/12 (0)

TD124/VPI 9T Project

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