Definitely think this is TT forum worthy (not dollars & cents) as this is a high water mark for this table.

This is out of this world. Yes it has all the right parts (the arm, the plinth, the cart, even the uber-rare hours counter), and yes it is clean, but this is the highest I have ever seen a 124....WOW!:screwy::yikes:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300266899468&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

It made me think for half a second about selling both of my 124's...then I thought about what I would do with the money...buy 2 more 124's.

James R.

Well this will probably still get moved.
The Ortofon SPU helped the price I think...

What is the knob on the bottom right?

What the?! Why?!

$4K ?...:jawdrop:

nuts

Say what you want, that is one beautiful piece of gear with all the right stuff.

Say what you want, that is one beautiful piece of gear with all the right stuff.

I don't think many people would disagree with you, but the price is outrageous.

hell I sold my 124/II w/sme3009 arm for 750 w/wood plinth and made moola.
I miss the cue on the platter but not the rumble and speed buildup when turn on or the clunkyness of operation. I think they are way over rated but I had mine for 40 yrs.Much prefer my pioneer 518 and techics 3300. But thats just me.

Insane. IMHO the 124 is overrated, a 125 or 126 will eat it alive. And for that kind of money you can buy something really nice. Or, with some patience, you can buy an entire system that will sound great. But hey, if you've got money burning a hole in your pocket...

This clearly was purchased by someone who knew what they wanted. I know how frustrating it can be to try to track down all the right parts...and this has the rarest of the rare, but part of the fun is the thrill of the hunt, and putting together the perfect table from your hard work and pacience. I'm willing to bet the purchaser is from Japan....already has 2 or 3 124's and this will be his prize....I'm just trying to get inside the head of someone who would pay $3.7k 124.

James R.

OR....

Remember this is e-bay.. Just because 4K was bid, doesn't mean it really sold.. I'd wait until the feedback is left before you know for sure it sold..

OR....

Remember this is e-bay.. Just because 4K was bid, doesn't mean it really sold.. I'd wait until the feedback is left before you know for sure it sold..

Thats what I'm thinking:no: That is an insane amount of money IMHO. Nice table but Wow!!

hell I sold my 124/II w/sme3009 arm for 750 w/wood plinth and made moola.
I miss the cue on the platter but not the rumble and speed buildup when turn on or the clunkyness of operation. I think they are way over rated but I had mine for 40 yrs.Much prefer my pioneer 518 and techics 3300. But thats just me.

I can understand your feeling, especially living with one for 40 years, but there is something magical about these tables that even the best modern tables can't touch. When I got both of mine, they were very much like what you describe (clunky, noisy, slow to get to speed), but after a thorough cleaning (including a motor dissasembly...yikes the green crap that came out of that was scary) and some upgrades (gummy motor bushings, gummy platter discs, new thrust plate, etc) it is silent as can be, gets to speed in less than 10 seconds (and holds speed in under 20) and blows the minds of all that hear it (I have many freinds with $2k+ turntables who can't believe their ears when they are at my house). That said, they do have a very distinctive sound that you either love or hate...I happen to love it!!

I have a 1973 BMW, and a 1993 BMW. Sure the '93 has all the creature comforts you could want, is beyond luxurious, and is a far "better" car than the '73, but the '73 has a much more connected road feel, has a stunning exhaust note (gotta love the sound of dual carb's), and has stunning good looks...very much like the 124.

Just think of a 124 like a 1968 Mercedes 280sl. Sure you could get a brand spankin' new Lexus for the money...but that vintage Benz will provide more smiles per mile!:thmbsp:


James R.

If you just want to play records, you could buy a VPI Scoutmaster signature for $2900 and slap on a Lyra Dorian or something. You won't have the coolest vintage table, but you'll probably get better sound.

I am not selling either of mine. :D

Added a pic for when auction is taken down...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/filmboydoug/td124.jpg

There were a lot of bidders on this one, bidders with high feedback counts as well. My bet is it was not a scam and someone really wanted this table.

As I said earlier, this may have helped jack up the price:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Brand-Stores/Ortofon-SPU-Cartridges

Depending on which one was included...

I liked mine for 40 yrs as I said. I lubed and cleaned it but not more. The rumble was from the idler wheel and could be heard in phones and test records but normal play sounded fine. I cherished it for what it was when I had it then unloaded ALL my early 70s gear and replaced with different vintage gear and never looked back and am a VERY happy kamper with my 2 new accumulations of classic audio gear, intg. amps, turntables, speakers, cd players, cassette deck. I am what my username implies and been into audio a LONG time and nothing surprises me anymore. I've had some of the best vintage gear there was so can't complain. still listening.

for that kind money, i would definitely invest in a NEW table.....rather than something 30 years old.....even in "museum" condition, i really don't think there is any way it would compete sonically with a modern $4000 analog rig.

well, whichever one of you guys bought it for me, a big thanks! and I can't wait to see the old UPS truck dropping it off at the front door.

History and nostalgia !!!! It doesnt have to be perfect..it could be just about the "feeling" of having one!!!!

Sounds to me like someone has their dream come true :yes:
More power to them :thmbsp:

One day I will get A Garrard AT6 T/T...that was the first in the family and I have fond memories. It is etched in my memory.

Dream come true for the winner ! nightmare for those who still want and cant find!!!

If you just want to play records, you could buy a VPI Scoutmaster signature for $2900 and slap on a Lyra Dorian or something. You won't have the coolest vintage table, but you'll probably get better sound.

This is basically what I was thinking. I totally understand that this turntable has a lot of charm and sounds great, and I certainly wouldn't mind owning one. But the average price, even on ebay, seemed to be at most $1200, so this is rather extreme.

I agree that for performance you could do a heck of a lot better with that much money. Just thinking about all the possibilities...

Good lord in heaven and everywhere else! Tempts me to invest in a new tonearm and general fixup for mine.

mike

Good lord in heaven and everywhere else! Tempts me to invest in a new tonearm and general fixup for mine.

mike

A lot of people are suddenly seeing dollar signs.:banana:

One day I will get A Garrard AT6 T/T...that was the first in the family and I have fond memories. It is etched in my memory.

I've always liked the look of the AT-6, but how good were they sonically? Were they ceramic cart models, or did they come with an MM cart? How was tonearm tracking? (given the changing arm height during a stack of discs).

While on this I was trying to identify an old Sears model changer. I found a YouTube video with the one I saw in it. Was this a decent changer, or just crap? Who made it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95d1CmOLSls