This list highlights the most meaningful differences between the TD 125 MK I and MK II:
Bearing: The Thorens TD 125 MK I has a captured ball bearing shaft design versus simple bearing shaft on the MK II.
Tonearms: Both the TD 125 MK I and MK II were offered with SME 3009 tonearms, but the standard Thorens TD 125 MKII was also offered with the Thorens TP 16 tonearm. There was also an option to purchase without a tonearm. (More details on tonearms below)
Control Switches: The TD 125 MKII with TP 16 arm had three operating switches, Speed, Power, and Tonearm lift/lower vs two switches on the SME equipped models (which have no tonearm lift/lower switch) The switches on most MK I models are metal, not plastic, although they look identical, the MK I switches have a more pleasant tactile / weightier feel to them.
Motor: The MKII includes a clutch to improve motor function, for improving start-up speeds — yet both models, with good condition belts, come to speed in the same amount of time.
Electronic speed control board: The MK I is considered a little more complex and difficult to service.
Rubber platter mat: The MK I and MK II each have a unique texture design mat.
Where can you find a vintage Thorens TD 125? What is the market price?
The best online tool for shopping for used HiFi gear, including vintage Thorens turntables is www.hifishark.com. This site aggregates listing from global “audiomarts” and web sites where people sell used goods. It allows you to filter by country and currency, and view items listed for sale, and see what has sold. It’s important to note that sold doesn’t necessarily mean the item sold for asking price — but nevertheless it provides some guidance of what the average selling prices are for your country/region.
Facebook marketplace is also a great source for finding used Thorens turntables. Hifishark does not display Facebook listings.
eBay prices are not indicative of true market value – they are for the most part highly inflated.
What to look for
My assumption is that most readers of this are audio enthusiast, and not experienced turntable technicians, therefore I’m keeping the inspection to the fundamentals. It’s important to note that regardless of what Thorens TD 125 turntable you purchase it will very likely need some level of servicing — from a basic tune-up to more intricate repairs, more on this in the “service section” of the article.
When you’ve found an interesting TD 125 listed, I highly recommend you speak to the current owner to ask some basic questions. A few minutes invested could save you time and money.
- Does it turn on and play?
- When was the last time it was used on a regular basis? (buying a turntable that has sat unused for decades is sometimes problematic)
- Do they have a stereo and records to test it when you arrive? (If not, are they open to you bringing to test the Thorens?)
- Are they the original owner (if the turntable has not been transported too often this generally is good thing)
- Has it been serviced recently, and if so, what repairs were done?
- Is the cartridge/stylus working, and has been changed recently, ever?
- Do they have extra headshells and cartridges?
- How would they rate the physical condition on a scale of 1–10? (scratches, dents, missing parts…)