Turntable Reviews

Thorens TD 124 DD Record Player Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: TD 124 DD turntable: Direct drive AC motor. Speeds: 33 1/3, 45rpm. Wow and flutter: DIN/WRMS <0.04%. Platter material: aluminum. Platter weight: 7.7lb (3.5kg). Outputs: Balanced stereo (XLR) pair, unbalanced stereo (RCA) pair, ground connection.
TP 124 tonearm: 9" tonearm with adjustable VTA and azimuth, antiskating with a ruby-mounted counterweight. Effective length: 9.17" (232.8mm). Offset angle: 23.66°. Overhang: 17.8mm. Effective mass: 15gm. Bayonet style headshell included.
SPU 124 MC cartridge (not included): Output voltage at 1000Hz, 5cm/s: 0.5mV. Channel balance at 1kHz, <1.5dB. Channel separation at 1kHz, >23dB; at 15kHz, >15dB. Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz ±2dB. Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force: >70µm. Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 8µm/mN. Stylus type: nude elliptical. Stylus tip radius: r/R 8/18µm. Tracking force range: 2.5–3.5gm. Tracking force, recommended: 3.0gm. Tracking angle: 20°. Internal impedance: 2 ohms. Recommended load impedance: 10–50 ohms. Weight: 30gm.
Dimensions: 16.7" (425mm) W × 13.8" (350mm) H × 7.3" (185mm) D. Weight (not including power supply): 37.5lb (17kg).
Price: $11,499 including the TP 124 tonearm. SPU 124 cartridge sold separately for $2899. Warranty: Three years.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 039.
Manufacturer: Thorens GmbH, Lustheide 85, 51427 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. Tel: +49 (0) 2204 8677720. Web: thorens.com. US distributor: Focal Naim America, 313 rue Marion J5Z4W8 Repentigny, Quebec, Canada. Tel: (800) 663-9352. Web: focalnaimamerica.com.

COMPANY INFO
Thorens GmbH
US distributor: Focal Naim America
313 rue Marion J5Z4W8 Repentigny
Quebec, Canada
(800) 663-9352
focalnaimamerica.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on July 28, 2021 - 6:42pm

I only knew one person that owned a Thorens Player; Mike the Electrician purchased one from Stereoland sometime in the 1960s, he had one Bozak, Macintosh 75 Watt Amp and later a pair of Horns.

Later in my life I discovered the wonderful Linn and all the Players being made in England. Then Shela at VPI sent us a Player that changed our Vinyl world. Then came Koetsu and Direct to Discs. Phew !

Seeing a New Thorens takes me back to powerful horns and smoking dope in front of Mike's music.

Fond Memories, 4-Sure.

I wonder if Mr. Gunter Kurten will manage to get the mechanicals of manufacturing under enough control to squeeze out the first batch of 500 without any of the gremlins that typically plague these types of projects. 500 is not typically a large enough quantity.

Fingers Crossed for Quality Control

Tony in Venice Florida

MauriceRon's picture
Submitted by MauriceRon on July 29, 2021 - 12:20am

ken...

can you say something about the interview you did with steve gutenburg last week,where you made sexist remarks about a hi fi youtuber's wife...i wouldnt think this is the image a stereophile writer should be putting forward...

https://www.youtube.com/c/AndrewRobinsonphoto/community

ken mac's picture
Submitted by ken mac on July 29, 2021 - 4:00pm

Regarding my recent appearance in one of Steve Guttenberg’s videos, what I did was wrong, insensitive, insulting, and highly irresponsible. I’ve apologized via email to Kristi and Andrew. There is no place for sexism anywhere, anytime. At this, I failed. I hope the Robinsons can forgive me. I promise to do better. I am sorry.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on July 29, 2021 - 5:01am

... forgo the unique feature of the original TD124, which was the combined belt and idler drive system.
It reminds me of so-called 'resto-mod' muscle cars, where the body is old but virtually all of the mechanical parts have been replaced with modern items.
Would there be much of a market for a new version of the Garrard 301 if it was converted to direct-drive?

Likewise, for the decision to move production to Taiwan.
Pro-Ject (and E.A.T.) manage to produce their range of turntables in Europe - and the vast majority of them are priced lower than this new Thorens model.
What prevents Thorens from doing the same?

avanti1960's picture
Submitted by avanti1960 on July 29, 2021 - 10:07am

the styling is a deal breaker for me. 70's Era Thorens? Heck yes....

PeterPani's picture
Submitted by PeterPani on July 30, 2021 - 1:29am

There are so many modern good tables around. And vintage people will long for an old TD124. I spent a lot of work (years!) on my old TD124 and put 3 tonearms on it (stereo, mono, 78s). If somebody breaks into my home and takes away this soul - I might consider the new one...

ddiljak1's picture
Submitted by ddiljak1 on August 1, 2021 - 10:47am

For your Jelco tonearm, were you able to use the standard counterweight to accommodate the SPU or did you use a larger weight? Just wondering since the SPU is a little heavy.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on August 6, 2021 - 9:55am

... its manufacturing partner, still have some work to do on the motor and/or speed controller in regard to reducing the peak value of wow and flutter down to levels exhibited by Technics products, or even some belt-driven units.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/thorens-td-124-dd-turntable-lab-report

Timbo in Oz's picture
Submitted by Timbo in Oz on October 28, 2021 - 8:58pm

I'll stick with my TD 150. I assume I can still get belts for it and TD125s?
The TD124 has always struck me as over-elaborate and hard to get the set-up right. This did make me a bit more money! ;-)

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