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Offered is „Thorens Reference High End Plattenspieler mit EMT Tonarm“ by Thorens as second-hand device from the category „Record Player complete“ on audio-markt.de - the online market place for high-end. The advert with the number 8140705740 ends on 14.10.2026 at 06:24 o'clock.
The €58,000 asking price for a used Thorens Reference is a strong bargain, sitting well below the typical used market given the new model’s launch price of roughly €240,000–€260,000 (converted from $355,000 CDN). Even accounting for the earlier New Reference’s estimated €200,000–€300,000 new range, this listing is likely under the 25th percentile of used values, making it an exceptional opportunity for a serious buyer.
The Thorens Reference is revered for its ultra-low resonance, modular tonearm design, and mechanical precision, delivering some of the most neutral, detailed sound in hi-fi. Its limited production run and original-owner condition (if verified) add rarity and reliability upside. At this price, the table represents a genuine buying opportunity rather than a caution—especially if it includes the stand and both tonearms as standard with the new model.
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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