Reasonable arm replace for Thorens TD125AB Mark 1 with TP14 Arm

kwingylee · Sep 20, 2014

Guys:
Years ago, I picked up and working Thorens TD125AB Mk1 with the (EMT lookalike) Thorens TP-14 arm. It currently has a NOS Shure V15 type 4 on it.
I have never been impressed with the sound of this and am wondering what is a reasonable replacement arm for the TP-14....

Should I get a new Morech RB-303? Or try to get a period Shure SME3009? Or even take an S arm off Japanese tables ala Pioneer and Technics?

Maybe someone can help me get the best out of the TP-14?

PS... I just found an earlier thread asking essentially the same question.... The SME 3009 II is the one to go with? I recently missed a local deal on one (darn)!

kwingylee · Sep 20, 2014

Man, those SME arms are really pricey on ebay... holy smokes. The Morech RB303 looking better and better.. what about JELCO?
Maybe I should just just sell mine and get a TD125 with a SME3009 arm already built in... probably cheaper

Ilikevinyl · Sep 20, 2014

If you can afford a Jelco SA-750D, that's the arm to get!

belyin · Sep 20, 2014

kwingylee said:
Guys:
Years ago, I picked up and working Thorens TD125AB Mk1 with the (EMT lookalike) Thorens TP-14 arm. It currently has a NOS Shure V15 type 4 on it.
I have never been impressed with the sound of this and am wondering what is a reasonable replacement arm for the TP-14....

Maybe someone can help me get the best out of the TP-14?

The TP14 is said to have an effective mass of around 15 gr., so it would appear to be too heavy an arm for the super high compliance Shure. If you want to stay with the cartridge, get a SME III–cheaper and better than 3009 series arms and an ideal match for high compliance cartridges.

kwingylee · Sep 20, 2014

Ilikevinyl said:
If you can afford a Jelco SA-750D, that's the arm to get!

The JELCO looks great - actually cheaper than the 3009s on ebay...Definitely a serious contender

bg3009 · Sep 21, 2014

I'm using a SME 3009 Series III on it and it is a great combo. Change the wire on it and it gets even better.

4-2-7 · Sep 21, 2014

Just get the damn 3009 II, you can wate for a good auction on a nice clean one in the box for about $400-$450.

the_nines · Sep 21, 2014

4-2-7 said:
Just get the damn 3009 II, ....

That's what I was thinking.

grottyash · Sep 21, 2014

Rega RB30x new would be the one I'd go for. Either that or the Roksan Nima. The SME3009 (and I have one) limits you for cartridges a bit, and to my ears is only the equal at best of the other two, which are far more flexible.

kwingylee · Sep 22, 2014

grottyash said:
Rega RB30x new would be the one I'd go for. Either that or the Roksan Nima. The SME3009 (and I have one) limits you for cartridges a bit, and to my ears is only the equal at best of the other two, which are far more flexible.

Better than the Jelco?

Mister Pig · Sep 22, 2014

Well you never quite mention a budget, so I am working with the idea that there is some flexibility.

If i were shopping for a bang for the buck arm, I would consider the Classic offering from Audiomods. It is their least expensive arm, but at 455 pounds, probably around $600. But they do a fabulous job using the Rega arm tube and upgrading the bearings, the bearing structure, and a continous run of wiring from heads hell clips to RCA ends. Lot's of value in this arm. the downside is you have to order it and wait till its completed. But still, a finely crafted arm for a very reasonable price.

Regards
Mister Pig

drtool · Sep 23, 2014

This is a great thread. I have so much to learn about arms.

cdk99 · Sep 23, 2014

Mister Pig said:
Well you never quite mention a budget, so I am working with the idea that there is some flexibility.

If i were shopping for a bang for the buck arm, I would consider the Classic offering from Audiomods. It is their least expensive arm, but at 455 pounds, probably around $600. But they do a fabulous job using the Rega arm tube and upgrading the bearings, the bearing structure, and a continous run of wiring from heads hell clips to RCA ends. Lot's of value in this arm. the downside is you have to order it and wait till its completed. But still, a finely crafted arm for a very reasonable price.

Regards
Mister Pig

Looks like you can save a bit by making it yourself, they will sell all the parts including the Rega parts. Vedddy in-terestinggg. Wonder how long it takes to drill all those holes....

Reasonable arm replace for Thorens TD125AB Mark 1 with TP14 Arm

kwingylee

Well-Known Member

kwingylee

Well-Known Member

Ilikevinyl

Cool Breeze

belyin

AK Subscriber

kwingylee

Well-Known Member

bg3009

Active Member

4-2-7

Smart Ass

the_nines

AK Subscriber

grottyash

Super Member

kwingylee

Well-Known Member

Mister Pig

Pigamus Maximus

drtool

It might get loud In Houston

cdk99

Well-Known Member

Similar threads