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Beautiful Thorens TD 145 turntable with an Audio Technica cartridge. Super smooth operation and very well cared for. No lid.
What are you really getting for US$500 when the recent comparable asking-price median is US$850 and the 25th percentile is US$675? That puts this one well below the low end of the recent market, so by your own yardstick it reads as a strong buy / bargain rather than merely fair.
That makes sense for a Thorens of this era: these tables are prized for their suspension design, musical timing, and easy upgrade path, and a clean, working example can be a very satisfying long-term deck. At this price, the upside is in getting a respected classic cheaply enough to budget for a fresh belt, basic service, or cartridge setup if needed; I’d mainly want confirmation that the platter spins quietly, the auto functions behave, and the dust cover and arm parts are intact.
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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