Thorens has introduced a pair of new turntables: the Thorens Turntable TD 1500 and the Thorens direct drive turntable TD 403 DD.
Both turntables allow anti-skating set by a sliding weight in the base of the arm, which is adjusted on a nylon thread guided over a ruby bearing. The contact force is set classically on the scaled and two-part counterweight. This allows a wide selection of pickups to be used, from 6-30 grams weight. They also both come with a high-quality and pre-adjusted 2M Bronze pickup from the Danish pickup specialist Ortofon.
The Thorens TD 1500 can be operated purely manually and features a sub-chassis that decouples the turntable and tonearm shelf from the motor and frame by means of three conical springs. In contrast to the TD 150 that was introduced way back in 1965 and helped build the foundation for new 21st Century turntables like this one, the springs can be adjusted from above through corresponding holes in the platter, which makes correct adjustment much easier. The platter does not have to be removed to accomplish this.
The platter itself, which weighs 1.4 kg and is 22 mm thick, is made of cast aluminum with a ground edge and turns its rounds in a bearing with a Delrin trust bearing, which guarantees smooth running, says Thorens. The speed of the DC motor is electronically monitored by an incremental encoder and deviations are automatically corrected. This also enables very good wow and flutter values.
The TD 1500 has XLR outputs in addition to the usual pair of RCA jacks, thus enabling balanced operation with a suitable MC cartridge. Power is supplied to the drive by a 12V power supply unit.
The new TP 150 tonearm is similar to the TP 124 used on the new TD 124 DD. It has an effective mass of 14 grams, is adjustable in height and azimuth and is equipped with a standard SME connector, so headshells can easily be switched or other cartridges mounted.
The Thorens TD 1500 will be available in Canada through the company’s Canadian distributor Erikson Consumer Home, starting in December 2021 for a MAP of $3,699.
As a direct-drive, plug-and-play turntable, the Thorens TD 403 DD (MAP $2,699) features the same smooth-running direct drive as the TD 402 DD, but with a more massive 1.4 kg and 22mm-thick cast aluminum platter and the TP 150 audiophile tonearm, also used in the new TD 1500 model. There’s no auto stop function and an integrated phono preamplifier. The new turntable is powered by a 24V power supply.
The Thorens TD 403 is set for availability in December 2021 for a MAP or $2,699.
The price for both turntables, which both come in either high-gloss walnut or black, includes a cover, RCA cable, and the cartridge.