Hi there. First post on this site. I'm looking to get some information on the Ortofon Arm & Particularly the cartridge. I believe the arm is an Ortofon SMG 212 but can anybody give me some info on the cartridge. I have recently bought this Imhofs custom built cabinet with Quad II Valve Amp, tuners and control unit and this wonderful Thorens TD124 at auction. It's all completely original and virtually untouched and changed since it was bought, i suspect in the very early 60's. It hasn't been turned on in many many years. Perhaps as much as 30 years and i want to restore it and get it going. There is no reason it should spring back to life. Is there any thing specific i should do before i plug it in and fire it up? It's such a perfect capsule of early 1960's hifi and completely unrestored. I am fine with the restoration of the cabinet but the amps etc are gonna be tricky for me as my knowledge is limited. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.
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Thorens 124 Mk1 Complete Original System Help With Ortofon Cartridge
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Great, thanks for the info. That would make sense as the whole system was set up for Mono. There was a single Quad Electrostatic speaker which i stupidly forgot to bid on it. Doh!
The cartridge is definitely an Ortofon mono (it could be either for standard (78) or microgroove (33.3 & 45). And the arm could certainly be wired for mono, as I think the amp is a mono amp as well.
tnsilver
Stereo Puppy
TL;DR: My best bet is on microgroove.
Not to be confused with the Type G ('whale') vs. Type A (smaller, square, EMT style) bakelite headshells, early Ortofon mono pickups were also classified as type A,B,C and AD. 'A' was standard (not LP microgroove) and tracked at 7g VTF, 'C' was LP for consumers and tracked at 3g VTF, 'AD' was a dual flip stylus for both standard and LP microgroove and 'B' was like 'C' but for the broadcasting industry, which probably meant it tracked heavier than 'C'. These were all mounted in SPU-A (EMT style) headshells so I was surprised to see one mounted in SPU-G full skirt. I actually think these mono pickups pre-dated the 'G' type headshell but I'm not sure. After all, it was dubbed 'SPU' for 'stereo pickup'.
Judging by the width and assembly of the cantilever, I'm inclined to think it's either a 'B' or 'C' type pickup for LP microgroove. IIRC the standard 'A' cantilever was flat and wider at the base, wide enough to be riveted (isn't that weird?) to the body. My best guess is what we're seeing here is a 'C' type LP microgroove mono pickup. I tend to think the 'B' wasn't that commonly available to the general public back then.
Not to be confused with the Type G ('whale') vs. Type A (smaller, square, EMT style) bakelite headshells, early Ortofon mono pickups were also classified as type A,B,C and AD. 'A' was standard (not LP microgroove) and tracked at 7g VTF, 'C' was LP for consumers and tracked at 3g VTF, 'AD' was a dual flip stylus for both standard and LP microgroove and 'B' was like 'C' but for the broadcasting industry, which probably meant it tracked heavier than 'C'. These were all mounted in SPU-A (EMT style) headshells so I was surprised to see one mounted in SPU-G full skirt. I actually think these mono pickups pre-dated the 'G' type headshell but I'm not sure. After all, it was dubbed 'SPU' for 'stereo pickup'.
Judging by the width and assembly of the cantilever, I'm inclined to think it's either a 'B' or 'C' type pickup for LP microgroove. IIRC the standard 'A' cantilever was flat and wider at the base, wide enough to be riveted (isn't that weird?) to the body. My best guess is what we're seeing here is a 'C' type LP microgroove mono pickup. I tend to think the 'B' wasn't that commonly available to the general public back then.
So if it is a standard non-microgroove, would that damage an LP or does it just effect the sound quality. If the whole thing was purchased in around 62 or 63 as that looks very likely, it would be more likely to be microgroove as the 78 seemed to drop out of production in late 1958 and the 45pm 7" reigned supreme. So much info. Thanks guys
Great shape!
The TD124 looks like it's an early version. What concerns me is the color of the main spindle bushing (black not bronze) and what looks like a dark transfer to the top of the main spindle's shaft.
If the main spindle bushings are Nylatron (black) they should be replaced using self lubricating sintered bronze (Oilite).
The issue with Nylatron is that it expands from heat generated by friction as the spindle turns. The expansion creates more friction, creating more heat and more expansion until the bushing actually seizes the spindle.
Your first symptom will be the platter slowing down while playing a side or two. Another symptom is an inordinately long time for the platter to drop to the bottom when it's inserted into the main spindle well.
There are a few threads on the subject here on AK.
Good luck!
The TD124 looks like it's an early version. What concerns me is the color of the main spindle bushing (black not bronze) and what looks like a dark transfer to the top of the main spindle's shaft.
If the main spindle bushings are Nylatron (black) they should be replaced using self lubricating sintered bronze (Oilite).
The issue with Nylatron is that it expands from heat generated by friction as the spindle turns. The expansion creates more friction, creating more heat and more expansion until the bushing actually seizes the spindle.
Your first symptom will be the platter slowing down while playing a side or two. Another symptom is an inordinately long time for the platter to drop to the bottom when it's inserted into the main spindle well.
There are a few threads on the subject here on AK.
Good luck!
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