What’s Old is New Again:
Thorens TD 124 DD Turntable
A Brief History of Thorens
Founded in 1883 by Hermann Thorens in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland, Thorens is the oldest name in entertainment electronics. Originally a manufacturer of music boxes and clock movements, the company pivoted to Edison-type phonographs in 1903. By 1928, they had developed their first electric motor-drive record player, setting the stage for a century of analog dominance.
The brand achieved legendary status in 1957 with the launch of the TD 124. Originally designed for broadcast studios, its unique idler-wheel/belt-drive hybrid system made it an audiophile icon. In the 1960s, Thorens relocated to Lahr, Germany, and introduced the TD 150, which pioneered the suspended sub-chassis design—a blueprint that would influence turntable engineering for decades.
The “Old”: Thorens TD 124 Turntable
The “old” in this story is that original Thorens TD 124 turntable. Introduced in 1957, the TD 124 achieved its iconic status through a unique “best of both worlds” engineering feat: it utilized a dual-drive system that combined a high-torque motor driving a belt, which in turn drove an idler wheel. This decoupled the motor’s vibration while maintaining the incredible drive and “slam” that idler-wheel enthusiasts crave.
While the TD 124 was the flagship for the burgeoning “hi-fi” movement, Thorens expanded the platform to reach different market segments.
Thorens TD 134 & TD 135 Turntables
These were more compact, integrated versions. While the TD 124 was usually sold as a “motor unit” (allowing users to mount their choice of high-end tonearms like the SME 3009), the TD 134 and 135 came equipped with Thorens’ own factory tonearms (such as the BTD-12S). They maintained much of the drive system’s DNA but were aimed at home users seeking a more “plug-and-play” high-fidelity experience.
Thorens TD W 224 Changer
This model remains one of the most mechanically complex record players ever built. It was a true “automatic record changer” that functioned with the precision of a laboratory instrument. Unlike standard changers that dropped records on top of each other, the TD W 224 used a mechanical arm to lift the played record off the platter and place a new one down, preserving the vertical tracking angle and protecting the vinyl.
Thorens TD K 101 Kit
There was even a kit version of the TD 124 called the TD K 101.
The “New”: Thorens TD 124 DD Exclusive
The “new” in this story is actually three modern versions of the iconic TD 124.
First, in 2020, 52 years after the original was discontinued, Thorens released a new and thoroughly modern version, called the TD 124 DD. It employed a Direct Drive motor, electrical lift, and the TP124 Tonearm. It was fitted with balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs, and an external power supply.
Then, in 2023, to celebrate the company’s 140th anniversary, Thorens released the TD 124 DD “140th Anniversary” edition which refined the 2020 platform with five upgrades:
- Each turntable produced was marked with a unique anniversary badge.
- Sandwich Platter: A new two-layer design that added a 5mm solid copper layer to the aluminum platter, increasing mass and damping vibrations.
- Silver Tonearm Wiring: The TP 124 tonearm was upgraded with high-purity silver internal wiring to improve signal transparency, particularly for low-output cartridges.
- Exclusive SPU 124 Cartridge: It was bundled with a limited-edition Ortofon SPU 124 featuring pure silver coils and a vintage-correct Bakelite housing.
- the classic Grado midrange clarity but adds a smoother top-end and a more authoritative, controlled bass response compared to its vintage predecessor.
Most recently, in 2026, Thorens released an “Exclusive” version, with a new 12-inch TP 124 tonearm, exclusive EMT cartridge with ruby cantilever and Gyger stylus.
More about Thorens
Today, Thorens produces a small range of components that serve as a tribute to the brand’s enduring legacy in the high-fidelity industry. If you’d like to see the products, please check out their website: www.thorens.com/en/
There’s also an online shop (this the in German): www.thorens-shop.de/
If you’d like to read more about the history of the company, here’s a link to the company’s history page: www.thorens.com/en/history.html