Thorens 125-MK

Not much is documented about the Thorens 125-MK outside its period reviews. The reviews are essentially the whole record. The 125-MK is the Mk II version of the TD-125. High Fidelity (July 1973, p.42) presented it as the "TD-125 Mk. II," a three-speed (16, 33, and 45 rpm) manual turntable supplied on a walnut base with tone arm, at $310. The same review gives the dimensions as 18 5/16 × 14 1/4 × 6 3/4 inches and lists an optional TX-44 dust cover at $15 plus a hinged TX-25 cover. The 5-pound platter measured 0.08% average flutter at 33 rpm. That is not as low as the earlier model's, the reviewer noted, but still inaudible. Arm resonance was negligible, with only a 4-dB rise at 8 Hz using a Shure V-15 Type III.

Audio (March 1976, p.60) revisited the Mk II and reported even better numbers: flutter of 0.05% (DIN 45507) and rumble of -65 dB (RRLL weighting), which it called one of the lowest figures yet encountered. The stylus-force dial was accurate within 5%. Arm resonance with the Shure cartridge came in at 8 Hz with a rise of only 3.5 dB. The review also implied the Mk II carried variable-speed control, and it recommended the TD 145C for buyers who could do without that feature. Its only criticism was a small quirk. The cue arm lift does not return to the rest position, which is disconcerting until you get used to it.

Past that, the record is thin. A High Fidelity directory (November 1974, p.49) lists a "TD-125AB" among current turntables, which suggests a variant designation by late 1974. No owner manuals or later coverage appear to survive in the archive. What is known of the 125-MK comes mostly from the two reviews above.

Known specs (from period reviews)

• Three-speed manual: 16, 33, 45 rpm
• Walnut base with tone arm; 18 5/16 × 14 1/4 × 6 3/4 in.
• 5-lb platter; flutter 0.08% (High Fidelity, 1973); 0.05% DIN (Audio, 1976)
• Rumble: –65 dB RRLL (Audio, 1976)
• Price: $310 (High Fidelity, 1973); TX-44 dust cover $15

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