Thorens TD-135 Turntable / BTD-12S Tonearm

Here we have a classic turntable from (at that time) Swiss company Thorens. The TD 135 is a belt-plus-idler drive unit that comes complete with the BTD-12S tonearm and is housed in a custom built plinth that comes in good fully working condition. A little bit of TLC and a new plinth would absolutely transform this well regarded combination. It will be professionally packaged and comes with our usual three month warranty.
Thorens Said….
TD-135 Turntable
Thorens engineers selected every feature of this integral combination to realise, in a single compact unit, the tremendous potentialities of modern stereo cartridges of highest lateral and vertical compliance.
The Thorens TD-135 is a precision transcription turntable designed to function, for peak performance, solely with the Thorens BTD-12S professional tonearm. While the BTD-12S tone arm is offered as a separate unit the TD-135 is never sold separately. Exceeding NAB standard for rumble. wow and flutter, the 4-speed TD-135 features the same
belt-plus-idler drive, the same heavy, 12” non-magnetic turntable, and motor, the same variable speed control, and the same quality, precision and Swiss craftsmanship that have made other Thorens turntables famous for peerless performance.
No other integrated unit approaches the professional standard of the TD-135 – BTD-12S combination.
Features:
12-inch, heavy, non-magnetic table for speed stability
Variable speed control (± 3%) made possible by an exclusive and patented eddy-current brake system
4 speeds plus automatic shut-off
Idler wheel and belt drive for double motor isolation
Drive assembly disengaged from idler wheel when switched to OFF position
Exceeds NAB specifications for rumble, wow and flutter
Operates at any voltage from 100/250 volts, 50/60 cycles AC
Dimensions: 15” wide by 12” deep; extends only 2½” below panel, 3” above.
BTD-12S Tonearm
The Thorens BTD-12S tonearm is a classic example of Swiss craftsmanship. Designed for lowest possible inertia and friction, in both horizontal and vertical planes, the BTD-12S is ideal for pickup cartridges of the highest lateral and vertical compliance. The low inertia minimises force on the stylus from ,warped and off-centre records assures positive contact between stylus and record groove, and reduces distortion as well as record and stylus wear to a minimum. Despite its very compact size, the BTD-12S has less tracking error than many 16” arms (only 0.5° per inch). Special pivot design eliminates another source of distortion found in ordinary) arms by keeping stylus perpendicular to the record at all times. The knob adjustment for stylus force (calibrated in grams) and the record saving, stylus saving are unequalled for convenience.
Dimensions And Geometry:
Overall length: 12⅝”
Height: 5⅝” overall; 1⅛” max. above playing surface
Distance, pivot to table centre: 7½”
Optimum stylus overhang: 11/16”
Range of overhang adjustment: ½”
Height adjustment range: 1⅝”