No other hi-fi manufacturer can trace their history as far back as Thorens. The German (originally Swiss) turntable experts are celebrating their 140th anniversary this year! The company originally made music boxes, but the first gramophone with an electric motor left the factory in 1928.
Thorens really put their name on the hi-fi world map in 1957 when the Thorens TD 124 was introduced. A simple but super-stable direct-drive turntable that is still in production 66 years later in virtually unchanged form.
And Thorens is now marking this very special anniversary with a very special edition of the TD 124 DD that takes the line back to its roots.
The Thorens TD 124 DD 140th Anniversary is all retro style and super exclusive finish. What’s fitting for such a classic – and precious – anniversary version.
The cabinet is made of high-gloss lacquered and hand-polished wood and the platter is made of aluminium with a 5 mm thick layer of copper on top. In addition to looking stylish, the sandwich construction should make the plate extra resonance-free, as the natural resonances of the two materials phase each other out, according to Thorens.
The arm is Thorens’ own and equally classic TP 124, while the pickup is sourced from Danish Ortofon. Connoisseurs will immediately recognise the classic SPU cartridge, which is as old as the turntable itself. But what you don’t immediately realise is that the pickup housing is made of bakelite. Just like in the old days. The coils in the moving coil pickup are made of silver wire.
Like other special editions, the Thorens TD 124 DD 140th Anniversary will only be built in very limited numbers. Namely 140 copies! Which means that it will be virtually impossible to get hold of. And probably also that it will soon be resold between collectors for much higher amounts than the EUR 11,999 the anniversary model is offered for.
More info: Thorens
