Which Jelco tonearm for Thorens TD125

ronenash

Hi all,

I am trying to decide which Jelco tonearm to get for my Thorens TD125. I am considering the SA-250 straight or curved version of the tonearm.

What are the charecteristics of each, what are the differences and which is better for the Thorens.

Appreciate you help,
Ronenash

Dave Cawley · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

The straight one, it's more rigid, less resonances, fixed headshell and generally nicer!

Regards

Dave
_________________
/ Technics SL-1200MKII / Jelco SA-250ST arm / Shelter 501 II cartridge / Neglex arm interconnect / A.N.T. Kora 3T MC phono stage / Marantz SC-7S2 preamp / 2 x MA-9S2 Marantz power amps / Focal Electra 1037Be loudspeakers /

vincula2008 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Ronenash,
You've got an amazingly good and solid table, a real high-quality piece of gear. I would seriously consider a Jelco SA 750D instead of those, a high mass arm for low compliance carts (tipically LOMC); if you want to use medium/high compliance carts, the table deserves an SME arm, at least an SME M2-9, which harmonises very well with the Thorens both æsthetically and sonically.
A less obvious option, but very interesting one, could be an Audio Technica arm. Unless you wanna try a unipivot...

Have fun and congrats with your lovely deck Very Happy

.

Regards,

Vincula
_________________
Amor vincit omnia

ronenash · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks Vincula,

It's indeed a great table. I have just finished restoring it with a new custom made plinith and it a beutty both visually and sonically.

Which AT arm would you suggest?

Regards,
Ronenash

Beltway · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

Let's see some pics of your new plinth.

vincula2008 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:39 pm Post subject:

Hi again,

I've got an AT 1005 and absolutely love it. A very good option for low compliance carts, as it is a high mass arm, as the AT 1009. If you can, get an AT 1005 Mk.II version, as it comes with a hydraulic lift mechanisim, for more comfortable arm-cueing.

If you want to play with high-compliance carts, go for an AT 1100 instead, since it's a low mass. Well, if you get one with the different headshells, it would let you play with a wider range of carts. A Fascinating arm. Read about it here in the VE library:

http://www.vinylengine.com/lib.....1100.shtml

Audio Technica arms are built to last and a pure joy to use. The new ones too, though they're pricey. If you're not afraid of unipivots, then there are option aplenty too Laughing

!

Regards,

Vincula

PS. I would love to see your work on the TD 125. It's built like a tank, a striped down EMT really. One of those decks I must try at home someday!
_________________
Amor vincit omnia

ronenash · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject:

And now for the pics....
[img]C:\Users\ronena\Desktop\DSC_4548.jpg[/img]

ronenash · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

Apparantly I do not know how to attach a picture... Anyone can help?

ronenash · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject:

Figured it out Very Happy

Here is my custom plinith Thorens TD125

vincula2008 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject:

Great job, ronenash! Keeping the Thorens "build-like-a-tank" appereance while adding some finesse at the same time -saved for the mat, which wouldn't be my first choice. I'd pick up a Funk Achromat, an original TD 320 rubber one, a cork one, or the Origin Live, to name a few. But then, to each his own Wink

!

Your table deserves a top-notch arm and cart to fully sing as it can Laughing

! I say, go for it!!

Have a look:

http://cgi.ebay.es/Great-Audio.....4cebe2932c

Regards,

Vincula
_________________
Amor vincit omnia

ronenash · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:30 am Post subject:

Thanks Vincula,

The mat is indeed the next thing o go. I was thinking of an acrylic mat. Any experience with these?

ronenash

vincula2008 · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:01 am Post subject:

Unfortunately no experience with those, ronenash Very Happy

. Currently I've got a cork one on the SF-modified Axis/AT 1005 and the orginal thick rubber one on my TD 320 Limited. Swapping them gave a slightly different sonic presentation. The Axis' sound got a bit darker and slower, somehow overdamped, while the cork mat on the Thorens made no significant difference to the sound.

I've heard very good things about both the Funk Achromat and the Origin Live ones. Personally I don't like leather, metal nor felt mads. Since you seem to be a handy person, you could start cutting yourself a cork one, and take it from there (?)

Regards,

Vincula
_________________
Amor vincit omnia

Beltway · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

The new plinth suits it very well. A new arm would really finish it nicely.