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Description:The handsome slim line chassis of the TD-150 MK2 two speed integrated transcription turntable houses a host of advanced design features.Conveniently positioned on the front is the precision cueing synchroniser.Isolated from the tonearm, it suspends and lowers the arm smoothly and gently into the groove, extending the life of the stylus and record.The anti-skate control maintains stylus position precisely on both walls of the stereo groove for distortion free reproduction.The TD-150 MK2 tonearm has an adjustable low-mass plug-in headshell.This permits tracking angle adjustment to an ideal 15 degree angle. Low friction accommodates high compliance cartridges.The tonearm balance and stylus tracking force regulation allows half gram adjustments down to 0.5g.Tracking error is below 0.2% cm of radius.Finally, the action glide speed adjustment on the TD-150 MK2 changes speed smoothly and rapidly without jolting the stylus.A prefix models came fitted with a tonearm but no base, B came with a base but no tonearm, AB was a complete unit including baseSpecifications:Drive method: belt driveSpeeds: 33 and 45rpmMotor: 16-pole synchronous motorPlatter: 7 ibs, 12", precision balancedDimensions: 15 5/8 x 12 7/8 x 5"Cartridge & Stylus:New Audio-Technica AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet Turntable Cartridge with Bonded Elliptical StylusFrom Phone Cartridge Reviews (UK):"I have been quite picky in reviewing the AT-VM95E, especially given its price of only £44, but it has come through with flying colours. This cartridge delivers a lot of sound per pound (dollar or euro) and provides clear insight into what a good audiophile cartridge can bring. Its weighty balance and highly accomplished midrange will no doubt have wide appeal, and will keep many people happy without hankering for an upgrade. The AT-VM95E is a pretty safe investment for people looking for a first cartridge for a medium-mass or high-mass arm. It should serve both those who want an inexpensive starter cartridge with a clear upgrade path to more exotic stylus profiles and those who just want a decent cartridge to live with long-term."History of the TD 150 & TD 150 MK2:TD 150 (1965) and TD 150 Mk. II (from 1969) - the first Thorens with oscillating chassis.With the TD 150 began 1965 a new era in turntables. In this small, inconspicuous drive for the first time the legendary, suspended on three conical springs subchassis (Thorens oscillating chassis) realized, were decoupled with the turntable and tonearm of engine vibrations and external influences (impact sound) (Rumpel noise-to-noise ratio: -65 dB). This design goes back to Mitch Cotter of Acoustic Research (USA), who implemented the idea of his colleague Edgar Villchur.In place of a complicated and complex friction wheel drive (TD 124) was a simple single-stage belt drive with an AC synchronous motor. This was operated with 220 V voltage and regulated by the mains frequency of 50 Hz.Fluctuation fluctuations: 0.09%The two speeds were mechanically shifted by moving the drive belt over the shift fork on the stepped pulley of the engine.Even the construction of the two-piece turntable, in which the drive belt runs on the inner plate, has been taken over until today.The robust and simple technology of the TD 150 set standards and was taken over, among others, by the British company Linn for their famous drive Sondek LP 12 almost unchanged. Ariston's first subchassis drives were also based on the TD 150.As with the TD 124, the high tonal potential of the TD 150 also allowed the installation of high-quality tonearms (eg from SME or Ortofon). Also as a basis for special constructions (eg for the Rabco SL 8 Tangential tonarm) the chassis of the 150 was used.At launch, the TD 150 was equipped with the TP 13, which had to do without anti-skating device. This tonearm was replaced from 1969 with the version Mk II by the TP 13a, in which a hanging on the thread balance weight for skating compensation provided. Since both the counterweight and the weight for applying the bearing force were spherical, the TP 13a was also known as "ball tone arm" and became a kind of "hallmark" for the 150s.Trackability Test Record:The Shure TTR117 Trackability Test Record is included. I purchased it to test the Thorens TD-150 MK2 ability to track continuously from the start to end of an LP. Shure engineers defined trackability as the ability of a cartridge to maintain contact with the record groove walls in the presence of high amplitude, high velocity, and high acceleration audio signals.
Timing matters here because this is a classic suspended Thorens from the vintage era, not a current-model buy, so condition and completeness will drive value more than age alone. At US$284, it lands right on the market median of US$284 and sits comfortably within the recent US$195 to US$327 range, so this reads as a fair ask rather than a steal or an overreach.
What makes it worth a look is the TD 150 Mk2’s reputation: lively, musical, and very tweakable, with a strong following among belt-drive enthusiasts who like a deck that rewards careful setup. If the suspension is healthy, the arm is original, and the platter, dust cover, and any power or cartridge parts are included, that adds real upside; at this price, a clean, complete example is an easy enthusiast buy.
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.
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