Another Turntable Offering:
Stunner! Thorens TD-125 w/Blue Note U3 Signature Arm & Custom Cherry Plinth,
Why buy a restored vintage Thorens turntable from Vinyl Nirvana?
When you buy a restored turntable from Vinyl Nirvana, the table has undergone a multistep inspection, tuning, and detailing regimen. The work is performed by me, someone who has worked exclusively on belt driven, suspended subchassis turntables such as Thorens, Linn, and AR for over a decade. I know these models intimately, and have developed techniques over my lifetime to restore them to the best condition possible. In addition, since I have probably the largest selection of parts for these turntables in North America, if it is determined by inspection that something needs to be replaced because it is missing, broken or worn, it happens.
Though all of the turntables I sell will be 100% functional, because of their age, cosmetic condition will vary. It is my pledge to you that any and all cosmetic defects will be pointed out in the item description, and whenever it is possible, photographs will be provided. When you buy from me, it is not like eBay where you have to wonder if you are getting what you are really getting. If there is a flaw cosmetically, you will know it is there.
As a potential buyer, you should know I don’t just service these turntables, I love them. Though I have restored hundreds of them, I still find great joy in bringing a vintage turntable back to its glory. Likewise, if the turntable has been customized, I cared deeply that those items are the best possible ones I can source. For example, my custom plinths are built by a finish carpenter with over 30 years of experience, someone who cares as much about their sound construction as their beauty. Likewise, when something is custom painted or powercoated, I go to a professional company, one of the most highly regarded in New England. Those are just two examples, but I have made it my mission, when I do farm out work, to get people who care about their finished product the same way I do.
Finally, because none of the above will matter if the turntable doesn’t reach you in one piece, I have extensive experience in safely shipping vintage turntables. I know the tricks and the techniques to get your turntable to you without incident. I literally ship over 100 turntables per year, and my success rate is over 99%. In the fractional amount of cases where there is a problem, it is always resolved with your complete satisfaction as my goal. A lot of businesses make that claim; with me you will find it is a way of life.
See our testimonial page.
This Week’s Thorens TD-125 w/Blue Note U3 Tonearm
Thanks for looking at and reading about this gorgeous Thorens TD-125 MKII. Though I love the TD 160 line, there is something about the substantialness of the 125 series that excites me.
I would rate this particular turntable an 9.0/10.0. The custom solid cherry plinth was crafted by a finish carpenter/cabinet maker with over thirty years of experience. It was finished in mulitiple coats of Tung oil finish. The custom plinth is substantially more dense and heavy than the stock plinth. Please note the photo with the repair area behind the platter. The metal top is in very good to excellent condition with no significant cosmetic issues. The brushed aluminum faceplate is in very good to excellent condition as well. The arm board is new.
The TD-125 features three speeds: 16, 33, and 45. There is a pitch controller and a stroboscope for precise speed adjustment. The speed control unit has been completely serviced, with the caps and transistors most likely to fail replaced! It is ready for another 40 years of service!
The gold finished Bren weight is included, however, not the dust cover. It is available for $165 plus shipping. (Must be boxed separately.) There is also the option of a mirror-polished platter for $95.
The Blue Note U3 Signature Tonearm
The Blue Note U3 is an Italian made medium mass arm. It features hydraulic arm lift, Hyper Litz 36 AWG internal wiring, and high quality interconnect cable with gold plated DIN and RCA plugs. The polished aluminium counterweight is decoupled from the arm tube and it is positioned out of axis to stay under the arm tube line increasing stability and to adjust the anti-skating force and azimuth simultaneously. The arm tube is a unique piece of polished and hard aluminium alloy to guarantee structural rigidity at its best. The Pivot is inverted stainless steel.
I obtained this particular arm in a trade with a fastidious audiophile moving up to a 12″ arm. Though used, it appears very close to new and comes with the original box/packing. (Not shown) It retailed for $595. Though I’d admired the Blue Note for years, this is the first time holding and listening to one. The fit and finish are exceptional, and my extensive listening with the Dynavector 20X2H in the pictures proved it to be an INCREDIBLE value at that price.
Overall, this is a stunning table with a serious arm capable of handling cartridges in the $400 to $1500 range with ease. I am a dealer for Grado, Dynavector, and Ortofon. The pictured 20X2H, with less than 20 hours on it, can be purchased for $495. (Regular retail is $850!)
The Details
This table will be packed like it is a fragile pane of glass. I simply care too much for these tables to just shove them in a box. I will carefully pack the table in extra sturdy boxes. and bubble wrap. I prefer Fedex Ground. I love introducing someone new to the joys of vinyl, getting someone back into vinyl who left it for the “superiority” of cds, or helping someone else who does appreciate it to “move up.” In that regard, I do what few sellers do…if the buyer needs it, I can supply up to one hour of help by phone with set up. (At a mutually arranged time.) In general, most buyers don’t need it, but if there IS a problem, I am there.
Your table is guaranteed to look and work as described, or you may return it within ten days of arrival for a full refund, minus return shipping charges. After ten days, all returns are for merchandise credit only. Any new items are under full product warranty as I am a dealer.
Some comments from buyers….
“Outstanding & dedicated craftsman. Helpful hints. Personal attention.”
“The best! A great communicator who goes above and beyond in the service dept.”
“If you want an excellent reconditioned vintage turntable, Dave’s the Man! Thanks”
“When eBay was invented, nobody dreamed there’d be a seller as great as Dave!!”
Email me if you are interested in purchasing this turntable or another one I have slated for restoration.