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Thorens AG was a Swiss company renowned for manufacturing hi-fi turntables and amplifiers, with a long and successful history and a significant role in the development of high-quality home audio. Over the decades, the brand became one of the most recognisable names in the European hi-fi scene, thanks to an engineering tradition that had helped to spread the culture of vinyl and analogue playback.
This TD 170 fitted into this tradition as a turntable designed to offer ease of use and reliability. It was a model easily accessible even to those new to the world of vinyl, so much so that it could be described as Plug ‘n’ Play. Although it belonged to the entry-level segment of the Thorens range, it nevertheless delivered convincing performance and a pleasant, balanced vinyl reproduction. The turntable was fully automatic and featured a belt drive, a technical solution that helped isolate the platter from motor vibrations. It also offered three speeds, allowing playback not only of standard 33 and 45 rpm records, but also 78 rpm shellac discs, naturally requiring a dedicated cartridge (not included).
Operating the TD 170 was extremely simple and was one of the most distinctive features of the design. By pushing up the slider located on the right-hand side of the tonearm, the platter began to rotate whilst the tonearm automatically moved over the start of the record; the stylus then descended into the groove, starting playback. For 45 rpm records, there was a dedicated selector switch for this format. The entire process was carried out via a mechanical system characterised by smooth movements and a sequence of precise, well-synchronised actions.
The 12-inch/0.4 kg platter was made of die-cast aluminium and helped ensure stable and uniform rotation, a fundamental requirement for vinyl playback free from perceptible distortion. The design also included a particularly practical feature, the Auto Stop function, which automatically stopped the turntable at the end of playback, preserving both the record and the stylus.
In terms of design, the TD 170 featured an aluminium base designed to minimise sound distortion and contribute to the overall stability of the structure. The aesthetic was deliberately simple and understated: the black exterior finish lent it a discreet elegance that had attracted many vinyl enthusiasts over the years. The chassis was of the rigid type and was supported by four rubber feet, simple yet effective components in reducing the transmission of noise and vibrations from the surface on which it stood.
The Thorens TD 170 turntable was supplied with an Ortofon OMB10 cartridge, a TP 18 tonearm and the original dust cover, components that completed the manufacturer’s intended configuration.
This example has been fully refurbished and is in excellent condition, making it an interesting collector’s item linked to the Thorens tradition and the spread of automatic turntables for home listening.
Dimensions: 440 x 360 x 120 mm;
Weight: 4.8 kg.
