The Analog Dept.

-edible zone_

-- The TD126 Dept.

Some TD126 History:

* (click for full image (it's wide)

Above 5 thumbnails: A TD 126 Electronic product brochure, translated from German to English, courtesy of Aleksandar Kujucev. The brochure was produced by Bolex GMBH Photo HiFi Audiovision circa March 1976, (click thumbnail for full image)

-- Editor's Note: the above date for the product brochure is the earliest found so far -- and its from 1976 -- not 1974.

1974 Introduction of the TD126 "electronic" with tonearm TP16. The TD126 replaces the highly regarded TD125 Mk II. Similar in dimensions and weight, the TD126 adds semi-automatic function to the tonearm operation in addition to a preset for mode of operation. (When equipped with standard Thorens tonearm) The TD126 featured lighted push buttons compared to the slider controls of it's predecessor. The TD126 shared the same basic layout and size of the TD125, continuing to use the heavy cast aluminum sub-chassis suspended by 3 conical springs and the same platters and bearing. Available speeds are now 33-1/3, 45 and 78rpm. The Mk 1 and Mk2 models continued to use the 16-pole AC synchronous motor from the TD125 MkII.

* (click for full size)

Above photo: courtesy of Aleksandar Kujucev, a first version TD126 B. (Purchased from a dealer with the SME 3009 S2 Improved tonearm installed. This model -B- featured full manual operation) Link to more photos of this turntable in the Thorens Gallery

1976 Introduction of the TD126 Mk II with TP16 Mk II (Isotrack).

* TD126 C MKII

*Above photo: courtesy Eric Landry, a TD126 C mkII, with TP16 -III tonearm (TP63 armwand)

1978 The TD126 MkIII is introduced. Some of its features include:
DC 72-pole tacho-generator drive motor.
New load-depending control of rotation (APC: automatic pitch control)
Low mass "Isotrack" TP16 MkIII tonearm
Electronic frictionless shut-off facility
Additional motor for tonearm lift control
speeds: 33, 45 and 78

* TD126 C mkIII

Above photo: courtesy of Carbonman, a TD126 C mkIII link to more photos of Carbonman's room

1979-1981 The TD126 Mk III, is being offered with numerous different tonearms from various tonearm manufacturers including SME, Koshin, Dynavector and EMT. Semi-auto function is retained when these arms are factory installed.

The TD126 Mk IV - This one is not well documented. I was able to find some info on it from Holger-T's site: Thorens-info.de ----- It is a TD126 equipped to work in discotheques and small recording studios as follows: The DC tacho-generator motor is replace by the AC synchronous motor and its drive electronics found on the earlier versions of the TD126. It has a "tighter centrifugal coupling" for shorter run-up time. It has a firmer suspension. (less bouncy) Otherwise it appears very similar to a TD126 III.

1981-1983 Introduction of the TD226, featuring a vacuum pump platter mat and space for two tone arms. The introduction of the TD127, essentially a TD126 with extended cabinet and arm board to accommodate a 12 inch tonearm. One example of a TD127 known to us came equipped with the earlier 16-pole synchronous motor, 10mm platter bearing and cast zinc inner platter.

1983 - TD126 MkIII Centennial edition:
a series of 100 tables with special trim (black and gold anodized metal parts)
could be ordered with SME 3010-R tonearm while retaining auto-lift functions
could be ordered in different wood trims (Rosewood for example)
standard tonearm: TP16 MkIII

end TD126 history

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--The TD 126 project

TD126 mkIII. In the beginning.