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Thorens TD 124 Vintage Turntable The Thorens TD 124 turntable represents the absolute pinnacle of analog engineering. Its hybrid belt/idler drive system is renowned for offering the best of both worlds: the silence of belt drive and the torque of idler drive.This unit works well, but could use a bit of restoration. The rubber idler wheel works, but is starting to crack at center (see photos). All speeds run, but are slightly slow. 16 RPM is actually perfect, but 33.3 runs at 32.43, 45 runs at 43.64 & 78 runs at 73.5. The idler wheel likely just needs to be replaced.The plinth model is unclear - the previous owner says it is a factory made model, but we are unable to substantiate this. The outside measurements are 23.75 inches wide by 14 7/8 inches deep by 4.5 inches high. Please see photos of underside & top of plinth for all other details.One of the metal rings on the rubber shock absorbers is missing. This does not affect operation (see last photo).This unit does not include a tonearm, cartridge, etc. Just what is shown in photos.In the Milwaukee Area? Stop in our shop to inspect/demoBuy with confidence: See our feedback and thank you for considering. All the gear we sell is packaged with great care for safe arrival in the condition advertised and backed up by our 14 day full refund policy in the event you are not happy for any reason.
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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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