Thorens Unleashes TD 124 DD Exclusive, TD 404 DD & MC 1600 at High End Munich 2025 — Precision German Audio with a Side of Sauerkraut

Ah, Thorens. The former Swiss stalwart now marching under German command, has stormed into High-End Munich 2025 with a trio of precision-engineered overachievers. First up, the MC 1600 phono preamp—because mere transparency clearly isn’t enough without Teutonic rigor. Then the TD 404 DD, a direct-drive deck tuned tighter than a Bavarian marching band. And finally, the TD 124 DD Exclusive, sporting a 12-inch tonearm like it’s planning to outflank the Allies at the next chamber recital. It’s bold. It’s meticulous. It’s Thorens—now with extra umlaut.

Thorens turntables, whether Swiss-made (or German-made depending on the decade), have been a staple for audiophiles seeking top-notch sound and precise engineering since 1957, when they introduced the TD-124 idler drive. Over the years, their lineup expanded to include iconic models like the TD-145, TD-150, TD-160/Super, and TD-125 belt-driven turntables.

After some tumultuous decades battling the rise of digital audio, Thorens shuffled their manufacturing between Germany, Poland, and Switzerland. It wasn’t until 2018 that the company was restructured under new ownership based in Germany, marking a fresh chapter in its long history.

I’ve been a Thorens customer since inheriting my dad’s TD-160 as a Bar Mitzvah gift in the ’80s—thank you, Dad, for the gift that didn’t involve a toaster. These days, I daily spin on my restored TD-145 MKII and TD-160 Super, and I have a TD-125 MKII coming in Q3 (because why stop at just two turntables?). Vinyl Nirvana keeps my Thorens obsession alive, but let’s be real—Thorens’ pre-show silence is nearly as frustrating as trying to clean a 45 RPM with a Q-tip. We’ll update once we know more, but for now, I’m just waiting for the Germans to tell us more about what they’ve done.

Thorens MC 1600 Phono Preamplifier

Thorens’ MC 1600 is a high-end phono preamplifier that could make even Basil Fawlty pause in admiration—if only he could manage to stop being so perpetually annoyed. Fully balanced and designed for moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges, this unit delivers sound as clean as an overly meticulous hotel manager’s obsessive cleaning schedule. With exceptional low noise and channel separation, it ensures every ounce of detail in your vinyl comes through as it should, with none of the chaos that you’d expect from a three-star establishment.

It gets even better. The MC 1600 offers a level of customisation that might have even Fawlty losing his temper in sheer jealousy. Input impedance can be adjusted between 20 and 1280 ohms, in 60 precise steps—so, no matter what cartridge you have, you can fine-tune it to perfection.

The gain adjusts from 32 dB to 68 dB in 10 steps, and capacitance is adjustable between 50 and 600 pF, ensuring that your vinyl setup is as finely tuned as a Swiss watch… or, at least, as finely tuned as the customer complaints at the Fawlty Towers front desk.

With both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs, this preamp is a natural fit for Thorens’ range of turntables, which can benefit greatly from the balanced connections and top-notch sound quality. The sleek, low-resonance housing not only keeps the signal pristine but also ensures that the MC 1600 fits perfectly alongside Thorens’ high-end tables.

For €2,199 (RRP), the MC 1600 is a solid investment for audiophiles who expect nothing less than uncompromising quality. It’s available from summer 2025, and with its precise engineering and sheer craftsmanship, you’ll have a preamp that delivers a performance you’ll actually want to show off.

Thorens TD 404 DD Turntable

A Modern Twist on Tradition, with a Dash of Audiophile Excellence

Thorens is back, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist in harmonious bliss, with the TD 404 DD—a high-end turntable that combines the classic DNA of the TD 124 DD with cutting-edge technology. It’s the kind of turntable that makes your vinyl collection feel a little more refined, like a vintage wine that finally gets to sit at the grown-up table. And no, it doesn’t need a “don’t mention the war” disclaimer—this turntable has nothing to hide.

At its core, the TD 404 DD features the direct drive motor from the iconic TD 124 DD. This motor isn’t just for show—it delivers smooth operation and impressive torque, so you can spend less time worrying about your turntable’s performance and more time being impressed by how cleanly it pulls every detail from your records.

And don’t forget the TP 160 tonearm with a cutter bearing—because why settle for anything less than maximum precision when it’s scanning grooves? The platter, meanwhile, is carefully damped for excellent sound reproduction, and yes, it all works in perfect harmony. Think of it like an orchestra, where the instruments never miss a note—no Basil Fawlty-style chaos here.

The electronic tonearm lift (e-Lift) with an auto-stop function is a nifty upgrade, offering convenience while ensuring minimal wear on both your stylus and your records. It’s like a valet service for your vinyl—just without the awkward small talk. And unlike Manuel’s attempt to serve soup, it works flawlessly every time.

Visually, the TD 404 DD speaks the language of modern design, boasting a sleek new platter that offers impressive resonance damping. Plus, an integrated stroboscope with pitch control gives you the power to fine-tune your speed with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker—because why should you be denied the pleasure of perfectly aligned sound?

The turntable is topped off with height-adjustable, spring-loaded feet to ensure stability and effective decoupling, so your turntable doesn’t vibrate its way into mediocrity.

For connectivity, the TD 404 DD is as high-end as you’d expect, with gold-plated RCA outputs and balanced XLR connections. The turntable also comes with a removable cover, in case you want to keep your beloved vinyl protected from prying eyes (and dust).

Optional is the TPN 124 linear power supply unit, which promises to unlock the full sonic potential of the TD 404 DD. For the discerning audiophile, it’s the kind of upgrade that takes your system from “good” to “how did I live without this?”

Available in black high gloss, walnut high gloss, or dark oak matt finishes, the TD 404 DD will be hitting specialist stores in Q4 2025 for a not-so-modest €4,499. But hey, that’s what you pay for the kind of turntable that will make your neighbors question why they’ve been using their entry-level gear all these years. You’re not buying a turntable; you’re buying the musical equivalent of a five-star hotel—without the Basil Fawlty-level attitude.

Thorens TD 124 DD Exclusive

The Audiophile’s Dream with 12-Inch Tonearm, EMT Cartridge, and Enough Engineering to Make a Swiss Watch Look Sloppy

With the TD 124 DD Exclusive, Thorens isn’t just revisiting the high end—they’re refining it with purpose. Based on the already respected TD 124 DD, this version offers a number of upgrades and exclusive components that push it into serious reference territory. It’s a confident step forward for a company that clearly still knows how to build a turntable that matters.

The star of this show is the 12-inch TP 124 tonearm, engineered to obliterate tracking errors with the grace of a Swiss clockmaker who was sick of everyone saying Germans couldn’t build precision. Longer arm, reduced distortion, and the internal pure silver cabling guarantees that the signal purity stays as pristine as your taste in classical music, even after you’ve cursed at it five times in frustration.

And then there’s the special EMT cartridge, designed in Switzerland (because of course it’s Swiss—it wouldn’t be this good otherwise). It’s a tribute to the legendary ‘Tondose’ radio tech, with modern tweaks to ensure it works flawlessly with that enormous 12-inch tonearm. For those who like their sound as pure as the Alpine air, this ruby cantilever, Gyger-cut needle, and pure gold coils will extract every ounce of detail from your records. Channel balance within 0.5 dB? Yes, please.

The TD 124 DD Exclusive uses the same powerful direct-drive motor as its predecessor, but with the added bonus of the TPN 124 linear power supply to make sure that power supply stays as clean as your meticulously curated vinyl collection. To top it off, a pure copper platter support enhances coupling between the platter and disc—think of it as the turntable equivalent of a tight handshake that guarantees excellent acoustics.

The TD 124 DD Exclusive also has both gold-plated RCA and balanced XLR outputs, giving you all the options for your über-high-end system—because why settle for one when you can have both?

So, for just €11,999, you can get yourself the ultimate turntable. Want the EMT cartridge to go with it? That’ll be another €4,999. But hey, it’s the kind of price that says “I’ve got taste” while your wallet says, “What have I done?”

Availability is late summer 2025 at specialist retailers across Europe and hopefully North America– which is now handled by Focal Naim America.

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