At the 2026 Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show, within the Hall 3 F01 booth, Richcoln brought a powerful lineup of the century‑old German brand Thorens to vinyl enthusiasts – ranging from the flagship New Reference to the stylish and portable Coturn CT‑01, covering everything from high‑end audiophile to mainstream appeal, making it one of the most popular highlights of the show.

Flagship Debut | New Reference Pioneers Active Vibration Isolation
The most eye‑catching product in the Thorens exhibition area was undoubtedly the brand’s new flagship turntable, the New Reference. Thorens claims this is the best turntable they have ever made – not only redesigned and optimised from the ground up, but also equipped with an active vibration isolation system developed in collaboration with German company Seismion.

The introduction of this technology marks a revolutionary breakthrough in turntable history. Traditional turntables rely mainly on mass‑loading to suppress vibrations (hard‑mass designs) or spring‑based suspension (soft designs) to counter vibration interference. The New Reference, for the first time, brings active vibration isolation technology – originally used in the semiconductor industry, nanotechnology, and scientific research laboratories – into the realm of vinyl playback. Its core is based on the unique Sky‑Hook‑Damper principle, which can isolate vibrations below 1Hz, and at 10Hz, interference is reduced to below ‑40dB, achieving far superior isolation performance compared to conventional passive methods.

In addition, the New Reference employs a German‑made three‑phase synchronous motor with belt drive, monitored by an ultra‑high‑precision quartz oscillator for speed control. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, speed stability is maintained at 33.3332 to 33.3334 rpm over a 20‑year period, with a deviation of only 0.0001 rpm. The turntable can accommodate up to three tonearms, covering 9‑inch, 10‑inch, and 12‑inch formats, and can be optionally fitted with Thorens’ newly developed TP160 12‑inch arm or the Thiele TA‑01 tonearm designed by Helmut Thiele.

Classic Heritage | TD 124 DD Exclusive and TD 404 DD Shine in Their Own Ways
In addition to the flagship New Reference, Thorens also showcased two highly anticipated new turntable models.

The TD 124 DD Exclusive is a deluxe direct‑drive version that pays tribute to the classic TD 124. Its core features a newly developed 12‑inch TP 124 J‑shaped tonearm, with pure silver internal wiring to ensure the highest signal purity. The platter top is layered with a few millimetres of pure copper to disperse resonances, enhancing both texture and stability. The cartridge is developed in collaboration with Swiss EMT – a dedicated moving‑coil design featuring a ruby stylus cantilever, Gyger cut, and pure gold voice‑coil wire. The turntable comes with an external TPN 124 linear power supply, gold‑plated RCA and balanced XLR output terminals.

The TD 404 DD is described as “an elegant simplified version of the classic TD 124 DD.” It inherits the powerful direct‑drive motor from the legendary TD 124 DD, renowned for its smooth rotation and high torque. The tonearm employs Thorens’ highly acclaimed TP 160 classic design, with a knife‑edge bearing structure ensuring exceptional tracking accuracy. A strobe speed‑viewing window on the platter rim allows precise speed adjustment. The electronic tonearm lift and auto‑stop function not only add convenience but also reduce wear on both stylus and records.

Stylish New Favourite | Coturn CT‑01 in Three Colours Draws All Ages
If the New Reference represents the pinnacle of Thorens’ technology, then its sub‑brand Coturn CT‑01 second‑generation portable turntable demonstrates Thorens’ vitality in embracing the younger market.

At the show, the CT‑01 was displayed in three colour versions – black, silver, and gold – with one of them used for live record playback demonstrations. The CT‑01 features a highly fashionable design, with clean lines and a concealed tonearm mechanism that gives it a distinctive appearance. It is compatible with 12‑inch vinyl records, supports 33⅓ and 45 rpm speeds, has a built‑in rechargeable battery offering up to 16 hours of continuous playback, and is equipped with Bluetooth aptX transmission for connecting to portable Bluetooth speakers or headphones, allowing vinyl enjoyment anytime, anywhere.

This turntable, which combines retro charm with modern portability, attracted large crowds of audiophiles across all generations – young, middle‑aged, and older – during the three‑day show, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. Many visitors showed keen interest in this model and actively inquired about it, proving that the allure of vinyl culture is transcending generational boundaries and continuing to spread.

Century‑Old Craftsmanship Embraces the Future
At the 2026 Hong Kong High‑End Audio Visual Show, Richcoln’s Thorens exhibition area at Hall 3 F01 presented a complete picture of how this German century‑old brand – founded in 1883 – embraces vinyl enthusiasts of all generations with its top‑tier craftsmanship: from the flagship New Reference introducing semiconductor‑grade active vibration isolation technology, to the classic‑inspired TD 124 DD Exclusive and its elegant simplified sibling TD 404 DD, and finally to the three‑colour, all‑age‑friendly Coturn CT‑01 portable turntable. For any visitor with a passion for vinyl, the Thorens exhibition was one of the most worthwhile stops to savour at this year’s show.