Hi-Fi Hall of Fame
Business Inductee
Thorens

Thorens: Introduction

Our next inductee is a company that has been around for more than 140 years! Thorens claims to be the oldest consumer electronics manufacturer in the world. Founded in 1883 in St. Croix, Switzerland, the company started out by making music boxes but are now associated with world class turntables.

Let’s look back at how this remarkable company perfected the art of the turntable and see why they belong in the Hi-Fi Hall of Fame.

Founding of Thorens

Hermann Thorens (1856–1943) was a Swiss entrepreneur and manufacturer who founded the company Thorens, an influential name in the history of audio technology. Born in Elberfeld, Germany, Hermann Thorens came from a family with an industrial background; his father was a textile designer. After his father’s early death, Thorens was sent to live with a teacher in the country and later received practical training in a factory. At age 18, he moved to Sainte-Croix, Switzerland, and worked as a clerk before finding work as a piano tuner.

In 1883, he registered a company in Sainte-Croix to manufacture music boxes and musical movements. The company specialized in musical toys, a niche that found considerable success. Over time, the product range expanded to include larger, more complex music boxes.

Thorens’ company transitioned from mechanical music boxes to phonographs in the early 1900s, initially producing Edison-type phonographs. By 1928, the company had developed its first electric motor-driven record player. Thorens also expanded into other products, including harmonicas, lighters, and even razors.

Hermann Thorens transformed his company into a stock corporation in 1927. He was an active member of his community, serving on the municipal council of Sainte-Croix and advocating for the construction of worker housing. He was made an honorary citizen of Sainte-Croix in 1936.

After his death in 1943, the company continued to innovate, introducing iconic turntables like the TD 124 in 1957, which cemented Thorens’ reputation for high-end audio equipment. Today, the Thorens name is still synonymous with quality turntables and audio equipment.

Thorens Prowess in Audio and Consumer Electronics

Thorens quickly established itself as a pioneer in audio technology, introducing one of the world’s first electric motor–driven record players in 1928. That same year, the company unveiled a magnetic pickup—an innovation that set new standards in sound reproduction. Working with Strassfurt-Imperial, Thorens also developed radio receivers and music cabinets with built-in turntables, marketed as “discophones.” By the end of the 1920s, the company employed around 1,200 people, a testament to the global reputation of Swiss engineering.

In the postwar years, Thorens broadened its portfolio with products ranging from cutting machines and sound boxes to disc changers—and even a mechanical razor, the “Riviera.” Advances in cartridge design reduced tracking force from more than 100 grams to just 10, greatly improving fidelity and record preservation.

Thorens Enters the Hi-Fi Business

In 1952, the company statutes were modified to create Thorens SA, whose objective it was “to manufacture and distribute devices to record and reproduce sound, and radios, music boxes, harmonicas, lighters and all kinds of mechanical products”. This marked the beginning of Thorens as a Hi-Fi turntable manufacturer. Thorens early efforts were modest; one of their earlier products was a “re-badged” version of a Garrard RC60 turntable, shown here.

Thorens “Concert” CD 43 Record Changer

In the 1950s Thorens began producing their own line of turntables and record changers. The Thorens Concert 43, introduced in the early 1950s, reflects a very different chapter of audio history than the company’s later high-fidelity icons such as the TD-124. Unlike Thorens’ single-play audiophile turntables, the Concert 43 was built for convenience. It functioned as a multi-record changer, capable of automatically playing and cycling through a stack of discs at 33, 45, or 78 rpm, before shutting itself off after the last record.

True to Swiss craftsmanship, the CD 43 employed a three-speed, governor-controlled motor. Though it fell short of modern hi-fi standards—its design was prone to audible “rumble” and aimed more at casual enjoyment than critical listening—it earned popularity in its time as a reliable and accessible home entertainment solution. Frequently installed in consoles or paired with radios as a built-in unit, the Concert 43 now holds appeal among collectors, valued both for its historical role and for the distinctive mechanics of its changer system.

Thorens TD-124 Turntable

In 1957, Thorens released the first of many iconic turntables that would distinguish the company. The Thorens TD 124 was a legendary turntable that has become a “holy grail” for many audiophiles and collectors. Revered for its robust build and exceptional sound quality, it was widely used in broadcast studios and high-end home systems. Its unique hybrid drive system uses a combination of a belt and an idler wheel, which helps to isolate motor vibrations from the platter, contributing to its stable and precise playback.

Built with Swiss precision, the TD 124 features a heavy cast-iron platter and a “clutch” mechanism that allows users to quickly stop and start the platter without turning off the motor. It offers four speeds (16, 33, 45, and 78 rpm) and has a built-in stroboscope for fine-tuning speed. While vintage models require maintenance and can be a project, they are highly sought-after for their dynamic and musical sound.

The TD 124 remained in production until 1968 and is still considered an icon among analogue enthusiasts today.

These excerpts from a Thorens brochure illustrate the company’s transition from “record player” to “turntable” maker. It shows the later versions of their record player family (CD-43NS, CBA-83NS, and CB-33NS) alongside the earliest versions of their superb turntables (TD-124, TD-184, TD-134, and TDK-101).

Thorens TD 125 Turntable

The Thorens TD 125, introduced in 1968, was a major technological leap for the company and a successor to the iconic idler wheel driven TD-124. Unlike its predecessor, the TD 125 utilized a sophisticated electronic belt-drive system and a suspended sub-chassis, which effectively isolated the platter and tonearm from motor vibrations and external shock. This design was a direct response to the demands of stereo playback and the higher compliance cartridges of the era.

The TD 125 is instantly recognizable by its elegant, low-profile design and the trio of glowing controls on the front panel, which allow for electronic speed selection (16, 33, and 45 rpm) and fine tuning with a built-in stroboscope. The turntable’s heavy, two-part platter and robust build quality contribute to its stable and accurate speed. Offered with various Thorens tonearms or without an arm for a customer’s choice, it was often paired with the highly-regarded SME 3009 tonearm.

Praised for its smooth and musical presentation, the TD 125 remains a sought after vintage turntable today. While the electronic speed control board can be a potential point of failure due to age, many are still in use and can be restored, continuing to offer a level of performance that competes with much more expensive modern turntables.

Thorens TD 126 Turntable

The Thorens TD 126, introduced in the mid-1970s, represented the next evolution in the company’s line of high-end belt-drive turntables, building upon the success of the TD 125. It retained the key features of its predecessor, including the heavy, electronically controlled two-part platter and the suspended sub-chassis, which provided excellent isolation from vibrations.

However, the TD 126 added a new level of electronic sophistication. It was often offered in different “Mark” versions (e.g., Mk I, Mk II, Mk III), each with progressive improvements. The most notable addition was semi-automatic functionality, with a frictionless electronic system for auto-stop and tonearm lift at the end of a record. This made it a more user-friendly option for music lovers who wanted high-fidelity sound without a fully manual operation.

Like the TD 125, the TD 126 was often sold without a tonearm, allowing owners to fit their preferred model, with the SME 3009 being a popular choice. Its robust build, combined with advanced features and a quiet, musical presentation, solidified its place as a top-tier turntable of its era. Today, the TD 126 remains a highly sought-after vintage component, cherished for its blend of classic high-fidelity performance and convenient operation.

Thorens TD 224 Record Changer

Thorens produced their last audiophile quality changer with the Model TD 224, an extremely rare and unique turntable that stands out in the company’s history. Produced in the early 1960s, it’s not a typical high-fidelity turntable but rather an automatic record changer designed for a specific purpose: to play a stack of records automatically and sequentially.

What makes the TD 224 truly exceptional is its complex and fascinating mechanical operation. Unlike conventional record changers that drop records from a spindle, the TD 224 uses a sophisticated and gentle “record conveyor” system. An integrated secondary tonearm on the left of the platter works in tandem with the main tonearm to lift a record from the stack, carefully position it on the platter, and then return the main tonearm to the start of the record. After playing, the process reverses, and the record is placed back on the stack.

Based on the mechanics of the revered TD 124, the TD 224 incorporates the same robust motor and idler-wheel drive. While the intricate changer mechanism makes it a marvel of Swiss engineering, it is a complex machine to service and maintain. The TD 224 represents an ambitious and elegant attempt to combine the high-quality sound of a Thorens deck with the convenience of an automatic changer.

Thorens TD 150 Turntable

The Thorens TD 150, first introduced in 1965, is a hugely significant turntable in hi-fi history. It was a departure for Thorens, moving away from the idler-wheel designs of its predecessors and pioneering a new, more effective approach to vibration isolation.

The TD 150 was one of the first mass-produced turntables to feature a spring-suspended sub-chassis. This three-point suspension system, which decoupled the platter and tonearm from the motor and plinth, became the blueprint for countless high-end turntables that followed, most famously the Linn Sondek LP12. By isolating the critical components, the design significantly reduced the impact of motor noise and external vibrations, leading to a much cleaner, more detailed sound.

This manual, belt-drive turntable was a more affordable option than Thorens’ flagship models but still delivered exceptional performance for its price. It was equipped with a heavy two-part platter and was often sold with the Thorens TP 13 tonearm. A later Mk II version included anti-skating. While its simple aesthetics and small size might seem unassuming, the TD 150 is a true classic, celebrated by audiophiles for its fundamental, high-quality engineering and its enduring musicality.

Thorens TD 160 Turntable

The Thorens TD 160, launched in the early 1970s, is one of the most iconic turntables ever made. Building on the TD 150, it introduced refinements that set new standards for analog playback. This manual, belt-drive deck featured a suspended sub-chassis with a three-point spring system that isolated platter and tonearm from motor noise and vibrations, delivering a cleaner, more detailed sound.

With its wooden plinth, two-part platter, and understated elegance, the TD 160 offered true audiophile performance at a more accessible price than rivals like the Linn Sondek LP12. Produced until 1992, it became a huge success and remains beloved today, with enthusiasts still restoring and upgrading these classic machines. A benchmark of timeless engineering, the TD 160 continues to embody the essence of high-fidelity turntable design.

Thorens Reference

Among the most powerful turntables ever to leave Thorens’ Lahr factory in Baden, Germany, was the aptly named “Reference.” Conceived as both a measuring instrument and a showpiece, only 100 units were produced. Under the leadership of Gerhart Metzler, Gustav Kleis, and managing director Winfried Vogt, the design team was given free rein, with cost no object—the sole aim was absolute sonic excellence.

The Reference was built like no other. Its base and subchassis were cast in aluminum, with cavities filled with iron shot for maximum damping. Four massive conical springs supported the weight, each individually adjustable so that the subchassis, tonearm, and cartridge formed a perfectly tuned vibrational system (resonance frequency 1–5 Hz). The design accommodated up to three tonearms and two servo-controlled tonearm lifts.

The platter, weighing over 6 kg, was belt-driven by an electronically regulated three-phase motor. For minimal rumble, its stainless-steel spindle ran in an oil-bathed solid-state bearing. At roughly 90 kg, it was likely the heaviest turntable Thorens ever built. Every unit was hand-assembled and could be customized to the buyer’s wishes, from tonearms to finishes.

Today, the Thorens Reference is revered as the company’s ultimate statement piece—an engineering marvel whose rarity and prestige command exceptionally high prices on the collector’s market.

Thorens Bankruptcy and Resurrection

Thorens, the legendary Swiss maker of precision turntables, built its reputation on classics like the TD 124 and TD 160. But by the late 20th century, the company faced steep challenges. The rise of compact discs in the 1980s slashed demand for turntables, while Thorens’ small-scale, high-cost European production struggled against mass market Japanese rivals. Through the 1990s, inconsistent direction further weakened the brand, and in 2000 Thorens filed for bankruptcy in Switzerland.

Luckily, the Thorens story didn’t end there. Production shifted to Germany under Thorens Produktion GmbH, which kept the brand alive with refreshed versions of its classics. In 2001, Swiss entrepreneur Heinz Rohrer revived Thorens with a new vision, introducing innovations like the air-sprung TD 900 series. Thanks to this reinvention, Thorens not only survived but maintained its standing as a respected name in high-end audio.

Thorens in 2018: Another Fresh Start

In 2018, Thorens experienced another fresh start with the appointment of Gunter Kürten as CEO. He reorganized the company as Thorens GmbH, based in Germany. Under his leadership, the company’s strategy evolved to both honor it’s remarkable history while also embracing the future.

Under this “two track” approach, Thorens began producing both heritage inspired turntables based on their classic designs, alongside some more modern and affordable designs. This dual approach ensures the brand appeals not only to dedicated audiophiles but also to a new generation of vinyl enthusiasts.

Let’s take a look at some of the turntables in both the heritage and the modern styles.

Thorens “Heritage” Turntable Line

At the very top of the new Heritage line is the “New Reference” turntable, which was introduced in 2024. Yes, they’ve updated the 1979 “Reference” turntable with the latest technology and some updated styling. The new model is available in three colour combinations, holds up to three tonearms, and uses “sky hook” isolation to minimize vibrations.

To learn more, there is a dedicated website for the Thorens New Reference turntable at https://reference.thorens.com/de/

Thorens TD 124 DD

Another of Thorens Heritage models is an updated version of their 1957 classic TD 124. The new version is known as the TD 124 DD and it uses direct drive rather than the original idler wheel drive. It maintains the original styling but employs the latest materials and technologies to deliver superb performance and a classic 1950s design aesthetic.

Thorens TD 1600

Thorens also offers a refreshed version of their 1972 classic TD 160. The new model is called the TD 1600 and employs a heavy platter driven by a powerful belt drive. It’s available with several different tonearm configurations and uses an outboard power supply to reduce electrical noise.

Thorens TD 1500

Last but not least, Thorens has updated their iconic 1967 TD 150 turntable. The new model is called TD 1500 and is completely manual in operation. It’s equipped with a new Thorens tonearm and pre-installed Ortofon cartridge to make setup quick and easy.

“Modern” Thorens designs

For folks who prefer a modern design, Thorens has developed some entirely new turntables with a modern design and of course the latest in turntable technologies. Check out the models TD 101, TD 204, and TD 403 DD.

To see the entire Thorens product line, please visit their website at: www.thorens.com/en/

Thorens: Induction into the Hi-Fi Hall of Fame

Thorens has been in business for more than a hundred and forty years, and like any technology company, it has had to adapt to changing technologies and consumer tastes.

Thorens started as a music box maker, then became a gramophone maker, and finally evolved into a turntable manufacturer. It has survived all of those transitions, wars, bankruptcy, and ownership changes. The biggest challenge that the company faced was the transition from analog (vinyl records) to digital audio, which forced the company into a brief period of bankruptcy. Fortunately, the company was rescued from the fate of obscurity and is now thriving again.

For today’s Hi-Fi enthusiasts, the Thorens brand is associated with just a single product: turntables. If you were an audiophile in the 1960s, you knew them for the superb TD 124. If you’re a little younger, you likely know them for one of their other iconic turntables such as the TD 150 or TD 160.

Thorens prospered during Hi-Fi’s “golden age” when enthusiasts assembled and “tweaked” their systems. Just like their customers, Thorens has continuously tweaked their products with better suspensions, quieter motors, smoother drive systems, and of course superb build quality. It’s been almost seventy years since the TD 124 appeared on the scene, and the company has been making beautiful turntables ever since. For all of these reasons, Thorens is inducted into the Hi-Fi Hall of Fame.