The protagonists of tomorrow’s vinyl music appreciation session—the THORENS TD 124 DD Exclusive turntable and MC 1600 phono preamplifier—represent Thorens’ fresh interpretation of classic analogue heritage. Their goal is to provide vinyl发烧友 (audiophiles) with an uncompromising, top-tier analogue source system.

A Legendary Turntable Reshaped by Modern Technology
The THORENS TD 124 DD Exclusive pays homage to the legendary 1957 idler-wheel drive turntable, the TD 124. Its core innovation lies in the introduction of a high-precision modern direct-drive motor, replacing the original idler-wheel mechanism while retaining the classic design aesthetic.

The new 12-inch TP 124 tonearm is key to reducing distortion. This tonearm offers the essential components for precise tracking. With an effective length of 309mm, its tracking arc curvature is smaller, significantly reducing tracking angle error and thus lowering distortion during challenging passages (e.g., inner grooves). The tonearm’s high effective mass of 20g makes it a natural partner for low-compliance MC cartridges. Internally, the armtube uses pure silver tonearm wiring to ensure signal purity from the stylus onwards. The optimised J-shaped armtube, combined with a knife-edge bearing and ruby bearings, further enhances tracking accuracy and stability.

EMT Tondose 124 Exclusive Custom Cartridge
A standout feature of the TD 124 DD Exclusive is its bespoke MC cartridge, developed in collaboration with Swiss professional broadcast equipment brand EMT. Its refined internal construction includes a ruby cantilever, offering extreme rigidity for precise tracking. The Gyger-cut stylus shape (top-grade) makes deeper contact with the record groove, extracting the finest musical details. The cartridge coils use pure gold wire for optimal conductivity, minimising signal loss. With a coil internal resistance of 12 Ohm and an output voltage of 0.7 mV (5 cm/s), it is a typical low-output MC cartridge requiring a high-performance MC phono stage. Channel balance of 0.5 dB ensures excellent two-channel symmetry.

Vibration Control & Stable Power Supply
The newly added pure copper platter on the TD 124 DD Exclusive enhances acoustic coupling between the record and the platter, effectively suppressing resonance. The external TPN 124 linear power supply delivers a very clean and stable power source.

Comprehensive Output Interfaces
The TD 124 DD Exclusive offers both gold-plated RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced) output terminals, making it easy to connect to a variety of high-end cables and phono preamplifiers.

The Ultra-Flexible MC 1600 Phono Preamplifier
As part of a complete vinyl source, the TD 124 DD Exclusive needs to be paired with an independent phono preamplifier. The MC 1600 is the manufacturer’s top-tier companion designed for this purpose, with the following features:

Near-infinite adaptability – Can be matched with virtually all MM/MC cartridges on the market, via fine adjustments using DIP switches on the underside. Key adjustable parameters include: MC input impedance from 20–1280 Ohm, adjustable in approx. 20 Ohm steps (over 60 steps total). Gain range of 32–68 dB, adjustable in 4 dB steps (10 steps total), easily handling ultra-low output MC cartridges as low as 0.2 mV. Input capacitance of 50–600 pF adjustable, primarily for matching capacitance-sensitive MM cartridges.

Pure signal path & Made in Germany – The core architecture uses a fully balanced dual-mono design, effectively improving signal-to-noise ratio and channel separation (up to 110dB). The product is developed and handcrafted in Germany, ensuring top-tier quality.

Comprehensive connectivity – Provides both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) input and output connections, for easy connection to any source or downstream equipment.

Circuit architecture & components – Employs a two-stage amplification architecture, combining passive and active RIAA equalisation. Precision resistors and high-quality film capacitors are used internally, ensuring minimal distortion and extremely high detail retrieval.

Practical features – Features a switchable subsonic filter to remove infrasonic noise generated when playing warped records, protecting your loudspeaker drivers from damage.

Positive reviews from overseas professional media – The German website HIFI.DE concluded in its review: “Its sound is detailed, impactful yet not aggressive, open and nuanced, accompanied by a full, powerful bass.” The reviewer believes this phono preamplifier is likely to perfectly suit the tastes of many vinyl enthusiasts. Its powerful drive capability and control were also highly praised, and it was described as a “very natural, candid amplifier.” These comments well describe the sonic character of the MC 1600 and indirectly confirm its excellence as the ideal partner for the TD 124 DD Exclusive. Regarding the TD 124 DD Exclusive, Stereophile reviewer Ken Micallef (who reviewed the standard TD 124 DD) noted that this modern interpretation sounds better than the original he remembers—a testament to its sonic appeal.

Conclusion
The THORENS TD 124 DD Exclusive turntable and MC 1600 phono preamplifier combination is a top-tier analogue source system designed for vinyl lovers who pursue the ultimate in analogue sound quality. It is not only a tribute to a classic but also a contemporary reference-grade analogue source created through modern audio engineering and precision manufacturing.