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

Turntables

Thorens - Swiss Turntable Excellence — Founded in 1883 in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland. The oldest name in hi-fi. Creator of legendary turntables including the TD-124 and TD-160. Idler-drive and belt-drive classics.

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.

Turntables

TD-124 (1957) — Iconic Swiss turntable from 1957 with idler-wheel drive and precision engineering, renowned for its musicality and studio-grade performance.
TD-150 (1965) — A classic mid-range turntable from Thorens known for excellent value and warm, musical sound.
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.

Other Models

Thorens - Swiss Turntable Excellence — Founded in 1883 in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland. The oldest name in hi-fi. Creator of legendary turntables including the TD-124 and TD-160. Idler-drive and belt-drive classics.
BL 104 — A vintage tonearm made by Thorens, commonly fitted to several of their mid-20th century turntable models.
TD 104 — A belt-drive manual turntable with sensor-button operation and an ultralight tonearm, produced from 1977 to 1981.
TD 105 — A semi-automatic, high-fidelity belt-drive turntable produced from 1978 to 1981.
TD 111 — A single-speed transcription turntable built in Switzerland to exceed NAB studio performance standards.
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.
TD 125 — A turntable that bridged Thorens' Swiss and German eras, combining idler-drive mechanics with early electronic speed control.
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.
TD 146 — A Swiss and West German–built turntable with auto-stop function, sold new for 498 DM.
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.
TD 184 — A Swiss-made 4-speed turntable featuring fully automatic operation and a unique dial-based record size selector.
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.
TD 280 — A high-performance belt-drive turntable made in Germany for audiophiles seeking value without compromise.
TD 290 — A Swiss-made turntable from the 1990s, recognized within Thorens’ lineup and noted for its 24-pole synchronous motor.
TD 316 — A 2-speed manual belt-drive turntable with suspended chassis, made by Thorens during the mid-to-late 1980s.
TD 318 — A semi-automatic, two-speed belt-driven turntable made in Germany, part of Thorens' mid-tier lineup in the 1980s.
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 321 — A 2-speed belt-drive turntable from Thorens, featuring a low-voltage 16-pole synchronous motor and precise speed control via a 2-phase generator.
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-124 (1957) — Iconic Swiss turntable from 1957 with idler-wheel drive and precision engineering, renowned for its musicality and studio-grade performance.
TD-145 — A Swiss-made semi-automatic turntable from the mid-1970s, combining precision engineering with automatic stop functionality.
TD-150 (1965) — A classic mid-range turntable from Thorens known for excellent value and warm, musical sound.
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.
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.