RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
The Thorens TD 165 Belt Drive Turntable is a vintage model manufactured in 1974. This 1st generation turntable offers a belt drive system for smooth and precise playback, with speed settings for both 33.3RPM and 45RPM. With stereo RCA phono audio outputs and a durable Thorens brand, this audiophile turntable is a first choice for music enthusiasts looking for a high-quality and vintage turntable. One of the acrylic cover hindges is missing a small piece (see photo) but cover still sits well. This turntable has been kept in a smoke and dust free environment.AS IS - NO RETURNS
This is a buyer’s market for this category at the moment, and at US$597 this one lands just above the median but well inside the normal used range. It isn’t a steal, but it is a fair ask rather than an ambitious one, especially if the deck is complete and working cleanly.
The TD 165 is well liked for its classic suspended-chassis feel, easy musicality, and the kind of analog charm that still wins people over. That makes it a sensible buy for someone who wants a vintage Thorens experience without chasing rarer models; if the dust cover, arm, and platter setup are all present and the table has been serviced, the modest premium over the median is easy to justify.
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.
