Thorens TD 124 DD
High-end turntables · 2019–present In production
£8,000 UK RRP
The reborn TD 124: the 1957 classic's looks and mass, re-engineered around a modern high-torque direct drive instead of the old idler wheel.
A faithful — and controversial — resurrection of the most famous Thorens of all.
Model history: Built from Thorens' original blueprints for the legendary 1957-67 TD 124, this reinterpretation keeps the classic look but replaces the original's belt-and-idler-wheel drive with a modern 12-pole direct-drive motor mounted centrally beneath the platter, giving more torque than the vintage two-stage mechanism.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: an established system where the amp, speakers and room can resolve what this deck retrieves from the groove. Less ideal for: a first turntable — the same budget goes much further spent on mid-range separates first.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- Sold without a cartridge fitted — budget for a compatible cartridge and setup before first use.
- Professional setup of tracking force, alignment, azimuth and arm height is worth budgeting for at this level.
Specifications
| Drive | direct drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | sold bare or with SPU 124 |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | heavy aluminium |
| Tonearm | TP 124 |
| Dimensions | 425 x 350 x 185 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 17 kg |
| Finishes | Silver / Black |
| Years | 2019–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its direct-drive mechanism is shared by 18% of current models in the database (29 of 159). On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 66% of priced high-end decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Thorens TD 124 DD…
Retailer searches
1 UK merchant stock Thorens — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
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