Thorens, the only hi-fi company able to claim a 125-year history, is celebrating its landmark anniversary with a new high-end turntable.
The 58kg Jubilee will appear later this year at a price expected to be in the region of 35,000 euros, but the firm isn't forgetting first-time buyers – it's also launching the Mini, a minimalist manual model selling for around 300 euros.
Thorens is completely reinventing itself for its anniversary year. It has a complete range of turntables, a new record label, and a magazine exploring the world of Thorens, vinyl and music. It even has a new slogan – from now, it's 'Thorens – the phono company.'
Speaking at the anniversary celebrations in Dresden, which culminated in a dinner with a performance by artists from the city's world-famous Semper Opera (above), Thorens CEO Heinz Rohrer said, “Many connoisseurs know us already; but Thorens wants to be recognized worldwide as ‘the phono company’ for people just starting with or re-starting their vinyl experience.
"We shouldn’t let the market for good, inexpensive models be supplanted by the loveless suppliers of the DJ scene.”
The company is also planning a modular turntable, designed to be affordable for newcomers but also upgradable as funds allow.
For now, the Jubilee is designed as 'the ultimate sub-chassis/mass turntable'. It has an offboard power supply, two independent exchangeable tonearm platforms, and a split platter with internal belt drive.
This has a 1.9kg inner platter and an 11.5kg outer, which is balanced in all three axes. The turntable will be available with 10 or 12 inch tonearms – Thorens is launching its own TP 125, which is made of carbon fibre and aluminium, or can accept just about any third-party arm.