RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Beautiful early Thorens TD-126 Electronic turntable, made in Switzerland, with desirable Grace F-9 cartridge and green F-9E-type stylus.This is a very complete, largely original example. Unfortunately, the turntable currently does not power up, so it is being sold as a restoration/project unit and priced accordingly.The internal electronics appear exceptionally clean and untouched for their age. I see no obvious burned components or evidence of amateur modifications, but no diagnosis has been attempted and I cannot represent what repair it may need.Included/original equipment:Thorens TD-126 Electronic turntableOriginal Thorens tonearmOriginal Thorens removable headshellGrace F-9 cartridgeGreen F-9E-type stylus, present but untestedOriginal platterOriginal Thorens platter matDust cover hingeWood plinthOriginal controls/electronicsSerial No. 10928117V / 60HzMade in SwitzerlandCosmetically quite presentable for its age with normal vintage wear. The Grace cartridge is particularly desirable, but both the cartridge and stylus are being sold untested.Important: Turntable does not currently power on. Sold as-is as vintage equipment for restoration, repair or collection. No guarantee is made regarding the cause of the power issue.A very worthwhile restoration candidate rather than a stripped parts table.$295 OBOLocal pickup preferred due to the weight and delicate suspended turntable mechanism. Will deliver within 30 miles.
Compared with a typical decent belt-drive or entry-level vintage table at this money, this Thorens looks like a strong buy at US$595. Against the recent used-market anchor of US$980 median and US$787 at the 25th percentile, it sits well below the low end of normal asking prices, which makes it a bargain rather than merely fair.
That is especially attractive because the TD 126 is one of Thorens’ better-regarded suspended-chassis decks: musical, steady, and easy to build a very serious analog front end around. If the arm, speed control, suspension, and dust cover are intact, this is the kind of classic table that rewards a careful setup and can outperform many newer decks at similar money.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Thorens traces its origins to 1883 in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland, where Hermann Thorens founded the company in the Jura mountains to craft music boxes and mechanical musical devices. Pioneering audio technology soon followed, with early cylinder phonographs, horn gramophones, and record players that established Thorens as an innovator predating the modern vinyl record. By the 1920s, breakthroughs like electric gramophone motors and magnetic pickups propelled international success, employing over 1,200 workers and embodying Swiss precision engineering. Ownership shifts, including a 2018 acquisition by Gunter Kürten, former Elac head, have revitalized the brand while honoring its 140-year heritage.
Thorens remains synonymous with high-quality turntables, its core focus since iconic idler-drive models like the TD-124 and TD-160 defined the golden age of analog playback. Vintage enthusiasts prize these for their robust plinths, precise motors, and timeless performance, while modern lines such as the 900 series introduce air-suspended sub-chassis for superior isolation. Brief forays into receivers, cassette decks, and speakers in the 1970s yielded to an unwavering commitment to vinyl reproduction, encompassing both LP and 78rpm formats.
Positioned as a high-end analog specialist, Thorens commands respect among discerning audiophiles and vintage collectors for its blend of historical pedigree and contemporary refinement. No longer strictly Swiss-manufactured but retaining that ethos, it occupies a niche boutique space—elevating turntables beyond entry-level to precision instruments that rival top competitors. Under Kürten's stewardship, Thorens thrives in the vinyl resurgence, delivering musical authenticity that serious hi-fi buyers demand.
See all Thorens listings on RADAR.
