Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • Mounting: Gimbal mounting on non-warping aluminium frame
  • Bearing: Ball races with hardened and polished steel needles
  • Counterweight: Includes damper bush for decoupling
  • Headshell: High-grade synthetic materials reinforced by carbon fibre
  • Tracking Force: Adjusted via precision torsion spring
  • Anti-skating: Individually adjustable via scale
The new TP 19-1 tonearm is designed to deliver improved performance as well as a far better look and feel. It adds significant value to the TD 240 and TD 190-1, which are now available as TD 240-2 and TD 190-2.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • The brand distinguishes itself with its sub-chassis designs, employing innovative solutions like tensioned steel threads and specific material choices (e.g., Alucobond) to minimize lateral movement and dampen vibrations for enhanced sonic clarity.
  • They engineer comprehensive turntable systems, including tonearms (like the TP 160 and TP 150) and, at times, cartridges, meticulously tailored to complement the turntable's design and performance characteristics.
  • Thorens emphasizes accessibility by offering features such as easily adjustable tonearms and electronically controlled speed selection, catering to both experienced audiophiles and those new to vinyl playback.

TD-124-DD:

  • Position: The entry-level turntable designed for affordability and compact performance.
  • Description: Offers a refined belt-drive mechanism with innovative motor decoupling that ensures clear playback in smaller spaces. In comparison with other models, it provides essential functionality and ease-of-use for users on a tighter budget, while more expensive models add advanced isolation and automation for broader use cases.

TD-204:

  • Position: A mid-range turntable aimed at users seeking balanced performance and reliability.
  • Description: Features a solid suspension platform and improved motor control that enhance playback stability and sound accuracy. Relative to the entry-level model, it offers additional build quality and performance, yet it remains more affordable than the higher-end models that include extra tuning and automation features.

TD-1601-TP-160:

  • Position: An advanced turntable intended for audiophiles who prioritize precise speed regulation.
  • Description: Incorporates a finely integrated tonearm and enhanced motor control that deliver better speed stability and reduced noise compared to the lower-priced options. When compared to the TD-204, it introduces more refined isolation and technical improvements.

TM-1600:

  • Position: A higher-performance manual model built for users who value tactile control and superior mechanical refinement.
  • Description: Provides meticulous manual speed adjustment and advanced damping features that result in exceptionally accurate sound reproduction. In contrast to the automatic models, it caters to those willing to trade convenience for enhanced control, bridging the gap between mid-range value and high-end precision.

TD-403-DD:

  • Position: A flagship turntable representing the pinnacle of Thorens craftsmanship for the most demanding sound reproduction.
  • Description: Features a groundbreaking dual-belt drive system with precision motor regulation that minimizes vibration and perfectly balances performance across diverse settings. Compared to all other models, it delivers the highest level of isolation, automation, and technical sophistication.
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Avg. Product Price
$75,001-$100,000
Used For Sale
69
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
70
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
38
Founding Year
1883

Our take on the brand

Thorens is renowned for pioneering the suspended subchassis turntable design in 1966 with their TD 150 model, which provides superior vibration isolation and has become a standard in turntable engineering. Their latest innovation is seen in the New Reference turntable, which features an active vibration isolation system developed with Seismion that uses piezoelectric sensors and electronic control, along with a German-made 3-phase synchronous motor driven by three linear power amplifiers.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
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Brand Page

What if you spend more?

No items found.

What competes at this price?

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Questions? Ask the brand's dealers.

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How to buy

Turntable Tonearms

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