Thorens

Swiss turntable craftsmanship since 1883

History

Thorens was founded in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland in 1883 by Hermann Thorens as a manufacturer of music boxes and clockwork mechanisms. The company is the oldest continuously operating audio brand in the world, with a history spanning over 140 years. The company entered the phonograph business in the 1900s, producing high-quality spring-motor gramophones. By the 1920s, Thorens was producing electric phonographs and began developing the technology that would lead to modern turntables. The TD-124 (1957) became Thorens' most iconic product. This idler-drive turntable featured a massive platter, robust suspension, and exceptional speed stability. Used in radio stations and by serious audiophiles, the TD-124 remains one of the most sought-after vintage turntables. The 1960s brought the TD-150 (1965), a belt-drive turntable with a suspended subchassis. Designed by H.H. Scott engineer E.A. (Ted) Hearn, the TD-150 pioneered the subchassis suspension design that would influence countless turntables including the famous Linn LP12. The TD-160 (1972) refined the TD-150 design and became Thorens' best-selling turntable. With its wooden plinth, suspended subchassis, and reliable belt-drive, the TD-160 offered high-end performance at a reasonable price.

Key Facts

Fact	Detail
Founded	1883, Sainte-Croix, Switzerland
Founder	Hermann Thorens
Original Business	Music boxes and clocks
Oldest Hi-Fi Brand	Over 140 years of history
Famous Models	TD-124, TD-150, TD-160
Current Status	Revived brand, new production

Legendary Products

Thorens TD-124 (1957-1969)

One of the finest idler-drive turntables ever made. The TD-124 featured a massive platter, four-point suspension, and a robust motor system. Used by radio stations worldwide, it remains the holy grail for idler-drive enthusiasts.

Thorens TD-150 (1965-1972)

The turntable that pioneered suspended subchassis design. The TD-150's three-point sprung suspension isolated the platter and tonearm from external vibrations—a concept that influenced turntable design for decades.

Thorens TD-160 (1972-1980s)

Thorens' best-selling turntable. The TD-160 refined the TD-150 design with better materials, improved suspension, and a more elegant appearance. It became the reference standard for affordable high-end turntables.

Thorens TD-125 (1960s-1970s)

A hybrid design using an idler-drive system with electronic speed control. The TD-125 offered the torque of idler-drive with the convenience of electronic speed selection. It remains highly collectible.

Sound Signature

Thorens turntables deliver vinyl with Swiss precision and musical grace. The TD-124's idler-drive system produces a dynamic, authoritative sound with deep, powerful bass and a sense of rhythmic drive that belt-drive turntables rarely match. The massive platter acts as a flywheel, providing exceptional speed stability that makes sustained notes and orchestral passages sound rock-solid in pitch.

The belt-drive models — TD-150, TD-160, and their variants — take a different approach, using suspended subchassis design to isolate the platter and tonearm from external vibrations. The result is a quieter, more refined presentation with excellent detail retrieval and a natural warmth that makes long listening sessions a pleasure. The TD-160 in particular strikes a remarkable balance between performance and accessibility — it is one of those turntables that sounds so naturally right that you stop analyzing and simply enjoy the music.

Collecting Thorens

The TD-124 is the holy grail of vintage turntable collecting — a beautifully engineered idler-drive design that has appreciated dramatically in value over the past two decades. The original TD-124 and the refined TD-124 Mk II are both highly sought after, with clean, unmolested examples commanding prices that reflect their status as one of the finest turntables ever manufactured. The TD-124 has an active restoration community and a thriving market for custom plinths and accessories.

The TD-160 and TD-160 Super are Thorens' most practical collectibles — widely available, beautifully made, and sonically excellent. These turntables pioneered the suspended subchassis design that would inspire the Linn LP12 and countless others. The TD-125, with its electronic speed control and idler-drive mechanism, occupies a unique position as a hybrid design that combines the best of both worlds. For entry-level Thorens collecting, the TD-150 offers the suspended subchassis experience at accessible prices, and its straightforward design responds beautifully to basic maintenance.

Competitors & Comparisons

Thorens vs Garrard: Both classic idler-drives; different approaches Thorens vs Technics: Technics direct-drive; Thorens belt/idler Thorens vs Linn: Linn improved on Thorens suspension concept

Models

Amplifiers And Preamps

MM008 — Thorens MM-008 phono preamplifier — MM/MC switchable, 40/60 dB gain, brushed aluminium fascia. ADC variant adds USB output for LP digitization.

Preamps

TP-19 (1975) — High-quality vintage preamplifier from Thorens with MM/MC phono stage and low-noise design, known for transparent sound and solid build.

Turntable

TD 126-C — Thorens TD 126-C — Swiss belt-drive transcription turntable with the low-mass Isotrack plug-in tonearm, 33/45/78 rpm, $625 in 1977.
TD 295-MK — Little is documented about the Thorens TD 295-MK outside a single substantial period review, which calls it the TD 295 MK III. What survives describes a

Turntables

125-MK — The Thorens 125-MK (TD-125 Mk II) turntable as known from 1970s reviews: $310, 0.05% flutter, –65 dB rumble, little else documented.
145-C — Thorens 145-C: a mid-1970s semi-automatic two-speed turntable, essentially a TD 125 Mk II without variable speed; measured flutter 0.05%, rumble -65 dB.
BL 104 — A vintage tonearm made by Thorens, commonly fitted to several of their mid-20th century turntable models. This page has production dates.
TD 104 — A belt-drive manual turntable with sensor-button operation and an ultralight tonearm, produced from 1977 to 1981. Find full specifications here.
TD 105 — A semi-automatic, high-fidelity belt-drive turntable produced from 1978 to 1981. With the complete spec table and when it was made.
TD 111 — A single-speed transcription turntable built in Switzerland to exceed NAB studio performance standards. Includes the complete spec table and when it was made.
TD 115 — A semi-automatic belt-drive turntable with DC motor and sapphire tonearm bearings, produced by Thorens from 1977 to 1982.
TD 121 — A single-speed idler-drive turntable designed as a simplified version of the legendary TD 124. Covers the complete spec table and when it was made.
TD 125 — A turntable that bridged Thorens' Swiss and German eras, combining idler-drive mechanics with early electronic speed control.
TD 125-AB — The record on the TD 125-AB is mostly the manufacturer's own advertising — independent test reports from the period haven't survived in this archive.
TD 126 — A high-end semi-professional transcription turntable developed as the successor to the TD 125, featuring advanced suspension and electronic speed control.
TD 127 — A Swiss-made manual turntable from the early 1980s, designed for high-precision playback with optional SME tonearm mounting.
TD 134 — Thorens TD 134 (1959–1965) — a 4-speed Swiss belt-idler turntable with BL 104 arm, 0.25% wow and flutter, manual operation, and mid-tier heritage.
TD 135 — A precision transcription turntable built for amateur studios, produced from 1961 to 1964. Covers full specifications and production years.
TD 146 — A Swiss and West German–built turntable with auto-stop function, sold new for 498 DM. This page has full specifications and production years.
TD 147 — A German-built belt-drive turntable from the early 1980s, notable for its sprung suspension and included TP-16 MKIII tonearm.
TD 160 — Thorens TD 160 (1972–1985) turntable: 8.5kg suspended subchassis design, 1.5kg platter, TP 16 tonearm. A classic belt-drive workhorse.
TD 165 — A Swiss-made belt-driven turntable from the early 1970s, featuring a suspended subchassis and floating counterframe design.
TD 170 — A fully automatic turntable with belt drive and selectable 33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds. Covers detailed specs and production dates.
TD 184 — A Swiss-made 4-speed turntable featuring fully automatic operation and a unique dial-based record size selector. Find full specifications here.
TD 226 — A high-end electronic turntable from Thorens, produced in the early 1980s with precision speed control and a heavy-duty build.
TD 240 — A fully automatic belt-drive turntable with 3-speed playback and a pre-mounted cartridge. With detailed specs and production dates.
TD 280 — A high-performance belt-drive turntable made in Germany for audiophiles seeking value without compromise. This page has detailed specs and production dates.
TD 290 — A Swiss-made turntable from the 1990s, recognized within Thorens’ lineup and noted for its 24-pole synchronous motor. This page has the complete spec table.
TD 316 — A 2-speed manual belt-drive turntable with suspended chassis, made by Thorens during the mid-to-late 1980s. This page has what it sells for today.
TD 318 — A semi-automatic, two-speed belt-driven turntable made in Germany, part of Thorens' mid-tier lineup in the 1980s. This page has detailed specs.
TD 320 — A Swiss-made turntable from the mid-1980s designed for high-fidelity vinyl playback with precision engineering and low wow and flutter.
TD 520 — A 3-speed belt-drive turntable from Swiss manufacturer Thorens, produced as both a complete model and as a tonearm-less variant.
TD 521 — Thorens TD 521 (1985–1999) — 15 kg German turntable with 0.006% wow/flutter. Once priced at 2,400 DM, now a cult favorite for tonearm upgrades.
TD 550 — Thorens TD 550 flagship turntable — Hi-Fi News (Oct 2018) reviewed the TP 125 Special Edition version at £6,975. Little else is documented.
TD-124 (1957–1967) — Thorens TD-124 (1957–1967): Swiss four-speed belt-idler transcription turntable, separate motor, cast phenolic plinth, 9/10 collectible.
TD-125-B — Little is documented about the Thorens TD-125-B turntable; a 1971 HiFi/Stereo Review listing records the TP13A tonearm, 16-pole motor, wow & flutter ±0.09.
TD-126 Mk III — Thorens TD-126 Mk III: Swiss three-speed (33/45/78) belt-drive transcription turntable with TP16 Mk III arm, 0.04% wow and flutter, £280 complete.
TD-145 — A Swiss-made semi-automatic turntable from the mid-1970s, combining precision engineering with automatic stop functionality.
TD-145C — Thorens TD-145C semi-automatic belt-drive turntable from 1975: electronic tonearm lift/shutoff, 16-pole synchronous motor, 0.05% flutter, -65 dB rumble.
TD-150 (1965) — A classic mid-range turntable from Thorens known for excellent value and warm, musical sound. Covers current market value and detailed specs.
TD-166 (1978–1984) — Thorens' late-1970s entry-level belt-drive turntable — the people's TD-160. Suspended subchassis engineering at a price that put Swiss pedigree within reach.
TD-225 (1975) — Vintage turntable from Thorens, potentially a rare or misidentified model with classic analog performance and build quality.

Unknown

TO-125 — Thorens TO-125 — a thinly documented Thorens turntable appearing in period listings as a Mk II. Specs and years unconfirmed; verify model number before buying.

Other Models

TD-125/SME — Thorens TD-125/SME turntable-and-tonearm pairing — a used-market fixture through the 1970s and '80s, documented in period classifieds.