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Der Thorens TD 145 Mk II ist ein legendärer, riemengetriebener Vintage-Plattenspieler aus den Jahren 1976 bis 1978. Er basiert technisch auf dem puristischen Erfolgsmodell TD 160 Mk II, erweitert diesen jedoch um eine optoelektronische Endabschaltung mit Tonarmlift. Sammler und HiFi-Enthusiasten schätzen ihn für sein audiophiles Subchassis und seine Langlebigkeit.
Wichtigste technische Daten
Antriebsart: Riemenantrieb über einen 16-poligen AC-Synchronmotor.
Chassis: Dreipunkt-federaufgehängtes Subchassis zur Vibrationsentkopplung.
Plattenteller: 3,2 kg schwerer, antimagnetischer Zinkspritzguss-Teller (300 mm Durchmesser).
Geschwindigkeiten: 33⅓ und 45 U/min (mechanische Umschaltung).
Gleichlaufschwankungen: ≤ 0,06 % nach DIN 45507.
Tonarm: Serienmäßig mit dem leichten Thorens TP 16 Mk II (Isotrack) mit wechselbarem Tonarmendrohr (TP 62) ausgestattet.
Abmessungen & Gewicht: 430 x 150 x 360 mm; ca. 8,5 kg.
Besonderheiten & Performance
Halbautomatik: Die Endabschaltung arbeitet berührungslos über eine Induktionsänderung am Tonarm.
Sie schont die Nadel, beeinflusst aber die mechanische Performance im Betrieb nicht negativ.
Klangcharakter: Das Laufwerk gilt als extrem laufruhig und liefert ein präzises, warmes Klangbild.
The Thorens TD 145 MK II is a solid mid-tier '70s idler-drive deck from Thorens' golden era, offering lively speed stability and that classic suspended chassis punch—underrated next to the pricier 160.
At €400 for excellent condition, this sits fair in the used market, where clean examples typically range €300-700 EUR depending on servicing and cosmetics; it's no steal but avoids the lowball mildew specials or overpriced "as-new" claims. Verify the idler wheel and tyre for wear—common failure after decades—plus test auto-shutoff and speed accuracy with a strobe, as rebuilds vary wildly. Insist on original plinth, dustcover, and 45 rpm spindle if listed.
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.
