Thorens TD 124 DD
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
92/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
88/100
The Thorens TD 124 DD marries black-silent direct drive with a richly involving, expansive soundstage, delivering deep bass, sparkling detail and remarkably steadfast timing. HiFi News found its authoritative coherence and microscopic retrieval bring familiar records thrillingly alive, while the adjustable TP 124 arm adds serious cartridge flexibility to this beautifully executed retro-modern deck.
Pros
Exceptionally quiet, stable direct-drive performance with a wide, deep soundstage and authoritative coherence.
Highly revealing yet musically engaging presentation, with deep bass, top-end sparkle and strong detail retrieval.
Comprehensively adjustable TP 124 tonearm includes counterweights and a headshell for both heavy SPU and conventional cartridges.
Cons
Microphony and airborne-noise resistance are not standout strengths, so a solid support is important.
Performance benefits markedly from a separately purchased record clamp or weight; no dustcover is included.
Its roughly £8,000 price places it against serious high-end competition.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
The TD 124 DD is described as an exceptionally coherent, authoritative and seamless-sounding record player, with a notably expansive soundstage. Its direct-drive system brings welcome quietness and constancy, although the deck benefits from careful attention to isolation and record clamping.
Overall Sound
96/100
HiFi News calls the TD 124 DD “magnificent” and says its coherence and authority make music coalesce with striking seamlessness. The reviewer also felt it bettered their memory of the original TD 124, with sound extending well beyond the loudspeakers and unusually deep front-to-back perspective.
Speed Stability
94/100
The direct-drive implementation is praised as exceptionally constant in operation, without the low-level grunge the reviewer associated with the older idler-drive model. An illuminated strobe and rotary pitch adjustment offer useful confirmation and fine control of speed.
Tonearm Performance
89/100
The integrated TP 124 arm offers comprehensive adjustment, including azimuth correction, while retaining a straightforward setup approach. Its internally damped aluminium tube, cardanic bearing arrangement, multiple counterweights and supplied headshell accommodate both the supplied heavy SPU and more conventional cartridges.
Noise Isolation
87/100
With the SPU fitted, HiFi News found the Thorens blackly quiet, approaching the near-CD silences heard from a DS Audio optical cartridge. However, the same review says resistance to microphony and airborne disturbance is not a particular strength, and notes that clamps or record weights make an unusually audible difference.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
Reviewers admire the compact new plinth and regard its execution as effectively faultless. The deck combines thoughtfully updated heritage details—levelling controls, a modernised mat, strobe, pitch control and braking system—with substantial aluminium arm hardware and a carefully engineered bearing arrangement.
Features Usability
91/100
The TD 124 DD provides electronic cueing, comprehensive arm adjustment, an illuminated strobe, pitch control and a DJ-style brake, while preserving an appealingly direct control layout. It includes a lighter counterweight and headshell for broader cartridge compatibility, though it omits 16rpm and 78rpm settings.
Value for Money
88/100
At roughly £8,000, HiFi News considers the Thorens a serious financial commitment and acknowledges strong competition at the price. Even so, the reviewer's enthusiasm is emphatic: given the money, they say this is the deck they would keep.
Reviews & Sources
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Specifications
- Dimensions
- Width: 42,5 cm Height: 18,5 cm Length: 35 cm
- Weight
- 14 kg
Manufacturer's Description — Thorens
Thorens TD 124 DD – Tradition meets Innovation
With the new TD 124 DD, Thorens is reviving one of the most legendary turntables in the brand’s history. The original concept of the TD 124 has been massively improved upon, using modern approaches, and now offers an unparalleled playback quality.
Features
High precision Direct Drive motor
Electronic tonearm lift
TP 124 Tonearm
Removable Headshell
SME connector
Prepared for SPU cartridge
Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs
External power supply
The original TD 124 was introduced in 1957 and has been used for decades in countless broadcast studios around the world. Ambitious music lovers also quickly discovered the highly precise turntable for themselves. A dedicated fan base has remained loyal to the TD 124 to this day.
Thorens is now building on this tradition with the completely redesigned TD 124 DD, carrying it forward with innovative technologies. The purist design and core construction are based on the original, while the height-adjustable aluminium chassis now rests on vibration-damping rubber elements. Instead of the original idler wheel and belt drive system, the new TD 124 DD features a “High-Precision” Direct Drive. It delivers powerful torque, enables precise speed control and keeps unwanted vibrations from the drive system away from the platter.
Thorens TD 124 DD – build for the best sound
Also new is the TP 124 tonearm. It can be precisely adjusted in all parameters to match the cartridge of choice and features an innovative anti-skating solution with a ruby bearing, as well as a patented electric tonearm lift for gentle cueing and lifting of the stylus.
In addition to the extensive adjustment options, the enclosed headshell offers a high degree of flexibility when selecting a cartridge. The TD 124 DD also comes with an additional, slightly heavier counterweight designed for the separately available Thorens SPU TD 124 cartridge. This specially adapted version of the legendary Ortofon SPU was developed jointly by Thorens and Ortofon for discerning vinyl enthusiasts seeking something extraordinary.
Thorens has paid attention to every detail in the development of the new TD 124 DD to ensure the highest level of sonic performance. A high-quality external power supply ensures interference-free power delivery. In addition to the unbalanced outputs, balanced XLR connectors are also provided, guaranteeing optimal signal transmission and therefore the best possible sound quality when connected to a high-end system with a suitably equipped phono preamplifier.
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- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Ajasom — online and in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
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