[NJBOB]

I should have it next week, it comes with the stock TP16 tonearm. I was looking at the clasic SME 3009 for this. Is that realy a big step up or should I look for something else a little newer. I'm looking at under 400...for the upgrade. Also can I keep the Thorens lift with a aftermarket arm? I dont mid doing a little work to a armboard

Thanks for any and all sudgestions.

[beachbum]

hello njbob, i had the thorens td 125 and sme 3009 back in the 70s, picked it up in west germany while in the usaf, at the time it was one of the best, i retired it with the advent of cds in the late 80s, after realizing that cds do not have what i have expected of lps after 10 years of the ease and simplicity of cds, and broke out my trusty thorens sme analog system. bought a blue point special and was in analog heaven until the federal failed levee system dumb ditch hurricane of 05 hit new orleans and the gulf coast, it now swims with the fish, as far as i could tell that table played very well and i was happy with it, it has its own line power regulator built into it, and a nice strobe also, you may have to go over the springs, good luck

[NJBOB]

It came yesterday, packed in its original box. One Plinth mounting block broke off. Glued that baby on and was spinning a few hours later. First off this table doesnt have a scratch, It is mint. I had a new belt and cratridge alighment stuff already and waiting. It replaced my Empire 698 for now hoooked up with Bottlehead Phono and Preamp through a Dynaco VTA70 and Klipsh Lascala's. It had a Stanton 681 cartrdige.

Very mello table, Dead quet I was very impressed, no motor noise no hum, Very musical would be my description, nothing just jumped out (But hey I only listend for about an hour). Platter spindle was dead on, no movement and spins for a long time
Now the questions.
1) I noticed that I had to have the speed adjusted almost to the end of the + side, not much more room to go f i needed more speed.
2) When I place the arm back in the holder I get a loud click out of my right chanell.
3) Slight play if I pull (Not hard but not soft) on the tone arm, almost seems like it was the whole arm moved not the tube, I'll have to verify that statment.
4) the old- "suspended table shakes" statement. If i touch my equipment on the same stand I get movement. I get no bleed through sound by tapping anywhere but the table is very sensitive to movement.

Thanks
Bob

[beachbum]

great i am reminiscing with you and your td 125. a few other things i did was use a target wall shelf, and under the shelf i used brass cones and that isolated the table very well, here is a web site that has some good thorens info http://www.theanalogdept.com/. enjoy mike

[NJBOB]

I just closed a deal for a SME III. It's missing the Paddle and only comes with one weight (He was using it with a Shure type Vmr.
Over the next few days while i'm waiting I need to make an arm board. Can anyone gove me the dimentions so I dont have to take mine apart?
Recomendations for material - is Wood ok?

Does anyone have one?

Also Anyone have these so called paddles? Do I need it?
I'm going to mount my Grado Sonata, but would be willing to spend up to 300 used/new for someting that is better.
Any and all sudgestions welcome

Thanks
Bob

[lcrim]

I had an older Rega P3 that had an SME Series III tonearm mounted.  I was able to find the anti-skating weight and guide @ http://www.flatearthaudio.com/
But they had long since stopped stocking the parts for the hydraulic damping tray.  The paddle attached to the tonearm and rested in the damping tray which was filled w/ very viscous fluid.  It was said to work very well and aided in tracking and damped any bearing chatter.  The arm was SME's only attempt at a light weight arm intended for use w/ high compliance, MM especially the Shure V15 family.
I sold the combination and took a beating on the price but it did get me back into analog so silver lining.  There is an available manual on http://www.vinylengine.com/library_model.php?make=SME&selected_model=Series%20III
The photography on that site was as much help as the manual which is a hoot, written in a "veddy British" almost unintellible style.

BTW-armboard pattern is available @ vinylengine as well.

[beachbum]

i replaced mine with a piece of maple and it was much better than the masonite board that came with my td 125. your are gong to have to take it off anyway. if i remember right its just got three alan screws. used the old one as a guide. the original was cut out for a SME arm. good luck

[Psychicanimal]

KAB was using SME paddles for their fluid damper until SME stopped amking them.  Kevin designed his own and might sell one to you.