Here at B&H, we have recently welcomed THORENS fully automatic turntables to our product line to satiate our desire for the warm sound that records can give us, at the crest of the wave of the vinyl resurgence. The two-speed TD158 features the THORENS TP 17 8.31" aluminum conical tonearm designed to be virtually distortion-free, plus an 11.97"-diameter aluminum platter with electronic speed selection and an automatic shut-off function. No preamp is onboard, so you’ll have to provide your own or purchase one separately.
The TD170 EV is a three-speed turntable that’s available in black or silver and sports a built-in preamp, allowing you to play it through nearly any stereo system. Its stylus can be swapped out for one specially designed to play 78 rpm shellac records, and the THORENS TP 18 tonearm and a mechanical auto shut-off function further sets it apart from the two-speed TD158.
Next up is the TD190-2 three-speed model, also available in your choice of black or silver. It upgrades to the THORENS TP 19-1 tonearm and an Ortofon OM 10 cartridge for 33 1/3 and 45 rpm record playback. Like the TD158, a preamp is required for use with most systems.
The TD240-2 is available in high gloss black and walnut and retains the TP 19-1 tonearm from the TD190-2, but uses the THORENS TAS 267 cartridge for playback of 33 1/3 and 45 rpm vinyl records; this cartridge is interchangeable with the Audio Technica AT 95E, in case you need a replacement. As with the TD158 and TD190-2, you’ll need a preamp to play this through most stereo systems.
Lastly, the TD148A has a built-in preamp for virtually universal compatibility. Available exclusively in black, it uses the THORENS TP 92 tonearm and features a glass platter. It has a floating chassis design and also uses the TAS 267 cartridge.
Are you looking for a new turntable? Do you have a treasured vinyl album you can’t wait to play? Let us know in the Comments section, below!
Stop by the B&H SuperStore to see the selection we have on display, or contact us by phone at 800-606-6969, chat, or email for friendly, knowledgeable advice.
1 Comment
Thorens turntables are made by Dual in Germany with a few cosmetic differences to be sold under the Thorens brand. Look at the insides and you will see parts stamped “Dual”. Dual branded turntables are available in Europe but not in the US. Duals are unique among European made turntables in that they retain auto arm start and stop, carrying on their heritage as “record changers” from the ‘60s (I.e., you could stack records on a tall spindle and the machine would drop a new record on the platter after another one finishes playing.)
Dual was the most popular audiophile brand turntable in the US in the ‘60s & ‘70s. These Thorens are basically the same as the last models developed by Dual before CDs drove them to bankruptcy and withdrawal from the US market in the ‘80s. Duals were always highly regarded and desired when vinyl was at peak popularity.