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12” tonearm Looking to trade an Uesugi Junior 1 Tamura integrated valve amplifier for a long tonearm for the Thorens table.Please get in touch if you have any arms that fit the bill, also open to other trades.Grace tonearms with the threaded base also considered, have equivalent value trades to offer. Thanks,A Condition: Unspecified Payment Method: Region/State: (QLD) Queensland/Australia By crtexcnndrm99 0 Comments Secure Ad AUD $3,000 Date: April 5Apr 5
This A$3,000 asking price for a used Thorens 12” tonearm is ambitious, sitting well above the 75th percentile of A$1,517 and nearly triple the median of A$1,047 from 71 recent AUD comparables. Without a specific model number, benchmarking is difficult, but even high-end Thorens tonearms like those for the TD 124 DD rarely command this much on the used market unless they include a premium cartridge or are in pristine original-owner condition.
Thorens 12” tonearms are well-regarded for their rigid construction, low resonance, and excellent tracking, making them a top choice for serious vinyl enthusiasts seeking sonic precision. If this listing includes a genuine EMT-style cartridge, original mounting hardware, and is in clean, tested condition, the upside in rarity and performance could justify the cost. However, if it’s just the arm tube or lacks key accessories, the price is hard to justify against the broader used market.
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.
