In order to achieve an optimal damped coupling between the plate plate and the engine, it is important that the drive belt is made of the right rubber, is made with the correct dimensions – width and thickness and perhaps most importantly the rubber belt has the correct elasticity
An example – if the elasticity is incorrectly, it will result in the engine’s top bearing being destroyed.
The correct drive belt specifications are met for the belts manufactured by Schopper AG.
Be careful, there are quite a few imitations on the market!

A rubber strap will become much less elastic over time, in fact it will eventually become brittle and with micro cracks. It has a big impact on the TD 124 specifications especially wow and flutter are heavily affected. If a TD 124 is to function optimally, it is definitely recommended to change the drive belt.

With the aim of achieving a good and efficient decoupling between the chassis and cabinet or plinth, it is very important that the rubber suspension / mushrooms have the right softness and elasticity.
It is also essential that the rubber mass used for production is correct.
These are mushrooms – rubber suspension manufactured for Schopper AG.

Over time, the rubber suspensions become more and more ‘flat’ and the rubber becomes stiff and without function. Cracks appear. It is therefore important in connection with a renovation that the rubber suspension / the 4 mushrooms are changed.
Rumble and noise are greatly reduced for a TD 124 after replacing the mushrooms.
When ordering item no. 4003 comes with a set of 4 new rubber suspensions – mushrooms.

It is very easy to change these rubber suspensions, it is done by loosening the fastening screws, lifting the chassis and thereby the suspensions can be changed. Be sure to fit the top washers, rubber suspension nuts and washers in the correct order.

Top slices for mushrooms.
It is important to ensure that metal top washers are mounted on each mushroom, this ensures a long life for the mushroom and a good opportunity for adjustment and leveling of Thorens TD 124.

The motor mount is made of rubber, which becomes brittle and dries out over time. In order to achieve optimal damping of vibrations from the engine to the chassis, it is important to change these parts. Engine vibrations are transferred to the chassis and on to the pickup, therefore it is quite important that these vibrations are dampened as much as possible. The measurement that shows a record player’s ability to dampen these vibrations is called the rumble measurement.
In order to minimize the vibrations, Schopper AG has developed a new type of rubber compound that means a significant reduction of this noise source.

MKI the engine mount is somewhat different from the TD 124 MK II, we highly recommend changing this mount by ordering the modification kit for the MKI.
It’s an upgrade that can really be heard.

Engine – Thorens TD124MKI ———- Thorens TD124MKI upgraded

This special oil meets Swiss mill. spec. for a uniform viscosity over a large temperature range. This is the reason why this particular oil is ‘special’. The oil can be used for both motor bearings and plate bearings.
The use of an oil with incorrect properties must be strongly discouraged, as the risk of insufficient lubrication and drying out of the bearings will lead to damage.

With the help of the stroposcope glow lamp and the stroposcope marking under the platen, the speed can be set with an accuracy of +/- 3%.
The voltage for the lamp is supplied via an outlet on the motor, thereby achieving that the same lamp can be used for both 230V/50Hz and 110V/60Hz.
 

Replacing the noise reduction capacitor is a relatively cheap part of the restoration of a TD 124. If a clear plop or click noise can be heard when the speed switch is operated, the capacitor must be replaced.

The main bearing for the two plate plates is one of the most important elements in the mechanical system.
The most important parts for the plate plate bearing are assembled in a kit.
A renovation of the plate bearing is strongly recommended, e.g. leaks at the bottom of the bearing mean that the oil will quickly run out and the bearing dries out.
You can order a repair kit for the rented turntable.
In this way, it will be possible to maintain the bearing for the next several years if good maintenance is carried out.



Repair of main bearing in TD124 MKI and TD124 MKII
Audible lower mechanical noise
Significantly better dynamics
Significantly improved plate movement

It is important to follow the instructions attached to the rep. the kit, and you can see a short description below:

1. First remove the top plate plate
2. Then loosen the three screws that hold the heavy plate plate
3. The heavy plate plate is now carefully removed without lifting the included spindle.
4. Then loosen the 3 screws holding the main bearing. They are detached from the bottom of the chassis, then the bearing can be pulled up.
5. Now remove the bottom part of the bearing – unscrew the three screws completely
6. Carefully remove all the parts
7. Now the bearing must be cleaned very – very carefully and gently – old oil and other residues must be removed. Finally, use a lint-free cotton cloth. DO NOT use gasoline, alcohol or other similar cleaning agents, but use a little new oil on the cloth and then on a cotton swab to remove the last remnants.
8. A very careful polishing of the bearing with a very fine polishing agent may be necessary.
9. Now mount the new parts from the kit you have received – finally note the mounting sequence. It may be a good idea to apply a very thin layer of oil on the gasket before assembly.
10. The screws are fitted again
11. The bearing can now be mounted in the TD 124
12. There must now be oil in the bearing and start by ensuring that there is oil over the entire bearing surface that has contact with the plate shaft.
13. After that, approx. 1 ml of oil at the bottom of the bearing. The bearing must actually have an ‘oil bath’
14. The shaft must now go back into place in the bearing and it will take a long time before the shaft will fall into place. It is important to wait and calculate with approx. 1 – 2 hours
15. Fit the two plate plates again.

You are now ready to enjoy a TD124 that will be significantly quieter and run significantly more stable.

An intermediate wheel is actually quite critical for the quiet TD 124.
If the TD 124 has not been properly disconnected after use, there is a problem – for sure. The control button for speed selection must be set to – 0 – when the turntable is not in use, otherwise the intermediate wheel will stand and ‘press’ on both the aluminum step wheel and the turntable. The worst thing imaginable is if the record player has not been used for a number of years and an accident like the above has happened. Then the intermediate wheel is destroyed.
Classic Audio can supply a new precision middle wheel for Thorens TD 124. It is made in Switzerland.

#1305
 

If your intermediate wheel is of a satisfactory quality, you can improve the noise level by fitting a noise reduction kit made in Switzerland. It is easy to assemble and the twist is amazing.

#1306

These rubber pads support the resting points of the upper plate on the main plate and ensure an immediate start with a frictionless contact between the two plates in connection with operating the start and stop function. The rubber dowels are produced with significantly greater precision and tighter tolerances than the original Thorens dowels.
New units from the original Thorens stock produced to the old tolerances showed specifications with a tolerance of +/- 0.2mm and this will result in poor non-uniform contact between the two plate plates. After many years of use, such rubber pads are so worn that it makes sense to replace them.
The 6 rubber pads fit both TD 124 MKI and MKII.

Classic Audio can also supply a rubber plate mat or base for both the TD 124 MKI and MKII, produced according to the original Thorens specifications in Switzerland.
The plate mats contain graphite to eliminate static electricity build-up during rotation.
Dry, cracked or otherwise defective plate mats should be replaced to ensure correct contact between the plate and the plate plate over the entire surface.
Sufficient elasticity and optimal contact between plate and plate plate are absolutely necessary to eliminate natural vibrations around the plate.
In addition, there is the aesthetic result of replacing a record mat, which means that the joy of a beautifully classic record player such as Thorens TD 124 becomes even greater.

Armboard is handmade by a Swiss craftsman. The shape of the 12″ armboard is specially designed for high resonance suppression and thus provides a significant sound quality improvement. The shape of the 9″ armboard naturally has the original Thoren dimensions.
All armboards are delivered with black lacquering with 4 layers of coating/paint.

Plinth for TD 124 is handmade by a very skilled Swiss craftsman according to Thoren’s original drawings.
Each and every plinth is actually unique, this is not mass production, but truly handmade plinth for Thorens TD 124.
A beautiful piece of craftsmanship from Switzerland.
Our plinth gives a sound top result and is an aesthetically fantastic product, which means your classic Thorens TD 124 will appear as a visual experience after the plinth has been changed. Perhaps your old plinth is scratched and the paint is badly damaged, so you have a really good solution here. Overall, you will actually upgrade your TD 124 also in terms of sound by replacing the terminal block with one of the offers you see here.

#2001

#2002

#2003

Adjusting the chassis to bring the turntable horizontally is important for proper playback. Adjustment rollers and threaded pieces are often damaged. Classic Audio can supply a new kit.
#7001
 

A piece of Plexiglas has been fitted over the glitter lights. This glass often becomes opaque after several years. Classic Audio can deliver a new one.
#7003