John
Back in 2020, Thorens introduced the TD 124 DD turntable to the market with the 1950s original’s design language fully intact but its idler-wheel motor swapped out for a direct drive implementation. The Swiss-founded company is now in German hands, under the stewardship of Gunter Kürten, and this year Thorens is marking the company’s 140th anniversary with a limited edition and improved version of said TD 124 DD.
The anniversary edition kicks off its list of upgrades with a new platter that adds five millimeters of copper to the existing aluminium disc. Thorens asserts that each material suppresses the other’s natural resonances. Anyone concerned about the centre bearing not being able to withstand the extra weight needn’t be. Thorens reports that it was over-specc’d when designed for 2020’s TD 124 DD. Ditto the direct drive motor, which is apparently capable of setting even larger loads in motion. The motor’s power still comes from an external brick.
The TP 124 tonearm is the same found on the 2020 version but less obvious to the naked eye is its re-wiring with high-purity silver cable. This carries the signal from the SPU 124 phono cartridge to the outputs on the rear. Here we note the presence of balanced XLR sockets as well as single-ended RCA.
Lastly, the SPU 124 MC pick-up (made by Ortofon) now comes with the turntable. Not only that. It’s a special edition version that sports “pure silver coils” and a Bakelite headshell (instead of the synthetic resin used on the 2020 version). And this SPU 124 will not be sold separately.
However, for yours truly, the anniversary edition’s most striking feature is its appearance. This turntable still possesses much of the aesthetic DNA of the 1957 original. The high-gloss wood veneered wrap now sits on a reworked frame and has been extended to the tonearm board. The two-tone platter is visually striking but won’t over-cook its owner’s retinas.
The TD 124 DD Anniversary Edition will sell for €11,999 and is limited to 140 units worldwide. Shipping begins in October 2023.
Further information: Thorens
