atelier 13 audio
THORENS TD-124
Swiss Quality Upgrade Parts
Meticulously designed and machined to very high precision specs for the THORENS TD-124 by
SWISSONOR
The main platter bearing is the nerve center of any drive system. While Thorens was extensively involved with developing the TD 124 bearing, the bearing itself was manufactured by and sourced from suppliers. When first introduced, plastic bushings were used, roughly through the middle of the Series I. From the standpoint of decoupling, this is an excellent solution, but the combination of the heavy rotational force of the drive system and insufficient tolerances of the supplied parts inevitably resulted in extensive wear. For this reason, Thorens substituted bearings whose tinned bushings functioned as an oil reservoir. With these bearings, extended use resulted in structural degradation of the bearing, drying out of the oil and erosion and wear on the bushings. Under these conditions, there is a noticeable increase in noise, and rotational accuracy can no longer be maintained.
MAIN PLATTER BEARING
Bronze Bottom Plate
SWISSONOR # 20
While the development department repeatedly experimented with alternative bearings over the years, management rejected each of these solutions on cost grounds. We managed to obtain two favoured prototypes from the former head of development in Sainte-Croix. Advances in machining, and the absence of mass production cost constraints, have made it possible to fully realize the creative research which is embodied in these prototype solutions. Our improved Main Platter Bearing with bronze bottom plate (which is made from one piece) brings the following improvements:
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dramatic reduction in noise
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fundamental improvement in dynamic contrasts
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tighter and more accurate bass
100 % Swissmade !!
$825.00 / SOP $759.00 SOP = Special Offer Price
Temporarily unavailable - Alternative : Call about Swissonor "Revision" of your current bearing
Replacing the main platter bearing for all TD 124 Mark I models with serial numbers up to circa 25000 is urgently recommended - these models have the plastic bearing bushings. Moreover, we highly recommend a bearing replacement - independent of the serial number, and including the Mark II series - where there is excessive bearing play.
The set includes a complete main platter bearing with bronze bottom plate and shaft. For those who prefer the original thrust plate with paper gasket we add our main platter bearing repair kit for free. Also included is a bottle of Thorens oil.
The new main platter bearing/shaft can be installed in 6 easy stages:
1. Remove the main platter as described in the instructions for installing the non-magnetic main platter (steps 1-4)
2. Carelly remove the tone arm board/tone arm according to the procedure for installing the replacement tonearm board
3. Undo the main platter bearing screws from below and pull the old bearing upwards
4. Insert the new bearing from above and tighten the screws from below.
5. Screw the main platter back according to the mounting instructions (points 5 through 10)
6. Reinstall the tonearm board.
MAIN PLATTER
The only appropriate material for a sonically superior non-magnetic platter is "grey cast" iron with graphite flakes, a unique compound developed by the US marines for minesweeping operations during World War II.
This unique alloy shows a 98% reduction in residual magnetism compared with the standard cast iron, while equaling or bettering it in terms of density, stability and damping properties. At the time, however, high raw material and production costs limited the availability of this material for civilian applications.
Today, however, we can offer a non-magnetic replacement platter weighing 5 kg - nearly the same weight as the original - which surpasses the original in all respects. Our replacement platter is manufactured from raw materials chosen without compromise, followed by state-of-the-art casting,
NON-MAGNETIC
SWISSONOR # 1
precision machining and finishing and faithful reproduction of the original strobe markings, all carried out by the finest Swiss specialty firms.
The new, non-magnetic replacement platter for the Thorens TD 124 Series I and II meshes effortlessly with the original Thorens concept, while offering the advantages of:
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no magnetic influence on cartridge coils or magnets
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exact, reliable anti-skating adjustment now possible
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lower noise floor and radically enhanced dynamics
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greater overall tonal balance and coherence
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extended frequency response
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tighter bass
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no restrictions on cartridge selection
100 % Swissmade
$1,499 / SOP #1,379
SOP = Special Offer price
TA10
The Swissonor TA10 tonearm is an entirely re-designed version of the famous Thorens TP 14 design.
Its pure vintage look comes straight from the Thorens BTD-12S, predecessor of the TP14
As with its "idols", the TA10 is a 100% Swiss Ultra Precision Design and is of course Swiss Made.
Its availability is subject to custom small series production.
So, one has to be patient if one wants one.
The main design targets were a lower tracking error than the 8” length original, and industry standard compatible head shell connector. And the best sound available, of course!
The TA10’s Features :
[continued below]
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Two instrument bearings, spaced three inches apart, allow sweet horizontal rotation. Precision spring washers replace the original wound spring loading units.
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The aggregate tolerance of the assembled horizontal bearing unit is in the range of 0,0004 inches.
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The uncoupled counterweight is very massive and positioned closest to the axis, reducing moment of inertia and therefore discharging the cartridge stylus. Compliance of the counterweight is adjustable by three screws in 120 deg. positions.
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Anti-skating is adjustable in ten positions, fully compensated up to 5g tracking force.
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Clamped arm base, can be mounted on base-plates machined for 9” SME tonearms (please check in each case if distance from turntable spindle to arm is compatible)
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An effective length of 10” instead of 8“ allows use of elliptical and super elliptical diamond stylus tips without problems inherent to tracking error. This is the maximum length possible within the TD 124 chassis frame.
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An in-house developed head shell connector, compatible with the (SME) industry-standard. It
has fixed soldering pins inside to avoid cable stress, and hollow point long-stroke contact pins.
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Inner cabling using stranded lacquer/silk insulated wires, soldered with Mundorf tri-eutectical silver solder.
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The housing pot for the bearings is one-piece machined from an aluminum bar, instead of being steel sheet metal. The miniature instrument bearings are sealed, lubricated with aeronautical instrument oil, and are pre-loaded.
10' TONEARM
Swissonor # TA10
Full Version
Includes Swissonor Mounting Plate #3.3
Includes 2nd Counterweight and Head-shell
Technical data
Effective length……………………………………..................................................240 mm
Overhang..........................................……………………………………...........…......15 mm
Distance from turntable spindle...............................................................225 mm
Headshell-connector compatible SME......................................................50 mm distance from needle to flask
Tonearm bending angle.............................................................................35,5º
Tracking error max.......................................................................................1,5º
Weight range cartridge + headshell (heavy counterweight)..................30-50 g
Weight range cartridge + headshell (additional counterweight)...........18-30 g
Height adjustment range............................. .............................................35-65 mm
(At values smaller than 40 mm, the lift mounting flask has to
be placed below the mounting plate )
Backside tonearm overhang.....................................................................78 mm
Output connectors.....................................................................................RCA/Cinch
Separate earth connector .........................................................................insulated screw type for lug or nude cable
$6,430 / SOP $5,915
SOP = Special Offer price
PLINTH 29
Milled Birch / Beech Plywood Plinth for Thorens TD124 / Swissonor # 29
Hand made in Switzerland according to the original Thorens plans
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Sonically excellent - Swissonor replacement plinths can make a significant upgrade in improving the sound of your TD 124
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Visually outstanding replacements for scratched or damaged original plinths
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Each plinth is a unique and valuable piece - No mass production templates are employed in their construction !
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Four hard plastic feet are included in the price
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Black Structured Multi-Layer High Quality Paint
$715 / SOP $657 SOP = Special Offer price
TONEARM MOUNTING PLATE
Tonearm Board for Thorens TD124 and long Tonearms / Swissonor # 3.X
Hand made in Switzerland
NEW ! Ultra-Dense Layer Phenolic Composite versions of all Boards
ULTRA DENSE Layer / Phenolic tonearm mounting boards with neoprene damping blocks for Thorens TD 124 (MK I and MK II) turntable, for long tonearms. People who own the non-magnetic main platter can push their “Thorens” to new limits.
These new boards are a further improvement over our previous Panzerholz (Delignit) premium boards.
Using this extremely rigid base is the way... and it is a bargain compared to many stylish gadgets.
Our precision tonearm board gives better stiffness, dimensional stability and resonance damping compared to the original, or to the usual aluminum or birch plywood boards.
The gain in audible quality is much more important than our initial expectations, especially compared to the cost of this upgrade :
- Soundstage +++
- Sound image stability +
- Dynamic range +
- Bandwidth +++
- Rumble and groove noise --
Material ULTRA DENSE Phenolic with neoprene suspensions
Finishing Black 2-component lacquer coating
Weight 0.48kg
Origin 100% Swiss Made
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Ready for replacement of the original tonearm board, no drilling needed -- all screws and assembly tools are included.
List of ready-made Boards :
#3.0 12" SME/universal (fits Ikeda, FR and many other 12" tonearms)
#3.1 12" vintage Ortofon tonearms for 3 screw fixing
#3.2 9" SME/universal (fits many 9 inch tonearms)
#3.4 12" raw, without hole, for drilling by customer
#3.4b 12" raw, pre-drilled to specified arm
#3.5 9" raw, without hole, for drilling by customer
#3.5b 9" raw, pre-drilled to specified arm
#3.6 12" Ortofon RS-309D
#3.7 10" Thales Simplicity
#3.9 Sliding Adapter Kit for 18 to 20 mm Tonearm shafts
SOP = Special Offer Price / Time-limited - CALL
# 3.0 MAP $499
# 3.1 MAP $460
# 3.2 MAP $460
# 3.4 MAP $450
# 3.4b MAP $555
# 3.5 MAP $430
# 3.5b MAP $535
# 3.6 MAP $510
# 3.7 MAP $535
# 3.8 MAP $215
SOP $459
SOP $423
SOP $423
SOP $414
SOP $510
SOP $395
SOP $492
SOP $469
SOP $492
SOP $195
UPPER PLATTER #2
Aluminum Replacement Upper Platter
for Thorens TD 124
by SWISSONOR
Material : Aluminum hard alloy precision machined
Finishing : Outer surfaces fine-grinded
Weight : 0.46 kg
Origin : 100% Swiss Made
Ready for replacement of the original upper platter, using a screwdriver only (recycle the single adaptor wheel from your old upper platter)
Our precision upper platter is built in fourteen distinctive operations instead of two used for the original platter. This gives a far better flatness, less wow and results in the best sound image stability possible. After many tests with different alloys, our choice is an extra hard aluminium alloy which avoids phase shift and reproduces therefore an extremely three-dimensional soundstage even with monaural recordings. The sound is much more dynamic with lower distortion
Soundstage +++
Sound image stability +
Dynamic range ++
Bandwidth +
Rumble and groove noise -
$ 675.00 / SOP 621.00 SOP = Special Offer price
OTHER - SWISSONOR
New Voltage Regulation Autotransformer / Swissonor RT
For TD 124 speed control
$1,815 / SOP $1,715 SOP = Special Offer price
The RTR is a separate device, in a shielded cast iron case, compact, ...as used for our Mini-Series Components such as the P, the PP or the PPP.
It comes with a mains cable and a shielded cable to connect to the AC input of the turntable -- via a small "sugar-cube".
It is an adjustable autotransformer, usable between 110V and 230V nominal.
The voltage level is regulated by rotation of the button, continuously and without adding distortion. This allows fine adjustment of the speed without using the brake, ... respectively without "braking to death" to reach the right speed.
Works with all asynchronous motor boards, such as Thorens TD 135, TD 124, Garrard 301, Garrad 401.
Typically, on a TD 124, the right speed is reached between 180 and 200V. We still use the eddy current feature of the 124, but only slightly ... to ensure a defined tension of the belt (avoid floating).
Extends the life of the motor and the drive, reduces the acoustic noise of the drive, and improves the sound quality."
OTHER - SWISSONOR
Antistatic microfiber cleaning cloth / Swissonor # 13.0
MAP $33
Cover for turntables, antistatic microfiber cloth / Swissonor # 38.0
MAP $67
SILVER FINISH
nickel + palladium, matte finish
BLACK FINISH
black chrome, matte finish
GOLD FINISH
GO TO SCHICK PRODUCT PAGE
SCHICK TONEARMS
An ideal match for the
THORENS TD 24
ORTOFON SPU PHONO CARTRIDGES
Another ideal match for the
THORENS TD 24
GO TO SPU CARTRIDGE PRODUCT PAGE
MOBILE FIDELITY
MOBILE FIDELITY
MOFI Super HeavyWeight
MoFi Electronics proudly announces the addition of the Super HeavyWeight record weight to its product lineup. Best described as a “super noise killer,” it is intended for use with all makes of turntables
— not just MoFi Electronics models
INTRODUCING THE MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY FOR ALL TURNTABLE OWNERS
Super HeavyWeight was conceived with the assistance of MoFi Electronics’ good friend, Mike Latvis, of Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS). The device uses Latvis’ proprietary polymer material, renowned for its exceptional noise-absorption characteristics. In addition to coupling the record to the platter, Super HeavyWeight significantly reduces noise—specifically, record groove, motor, and bearing noise. Listeners will hear more music due to resultant blacker backgrounds, increased inner detail, improved clarity, enhanced microdynamics, and greater bass impact.
Created by music lovers for music lovers, and born from a desire to get the most music out of vinyl LPs, Super HeavyWeight is a real “ear opener” that offers exceptional value—especially for budget-minded vinylphiles. While no turntable is perfect, adding a Super HeavyWeight guarantees a big leap in sonic performance.
FEATURES
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Dimensions: 3.0” diameter and 1.355” height
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Weight: 367.4 grams, the optimum weight with respect to applying no strain or stress to a turntable’s motor, bearing, or suspension
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Outer shell: Comprised of billet-machined 6061 aluminum for an easy grip
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Underside: Made from a soft polymer that ensures damage-free operation with LPs
MAP $ 199.00
