Thorens is a formerly Swiss manufacturer of high-end audio equipment. Thorens is historically renowned for the range of phonographs (turntables) the manufacturer produces. In addition to audio playback equipment, Thorens is also a historical producer of harmonicas and cigarette lighters, most notably the button actuated "automatic lighter". view pdf
THORENS TM 1600
(from Thorens) "EXTENDING OUR ANALOGUE COMPETENCE
The Tape machine Thorens TM 1600 was developed in cooperation with Duesseldorf based specialist Ballfinger and adds another traditional analogue component to Thorens product range. It’s a half track quarter inch design with three motors. It handles reels up to 10.5” with speeds of 19 or 38 cm/s. CCIR equalization for most European recordings and NAB for Americas and Asia can be selected. An edit function for single handed operation is integrated."
In 1883, the Thorens family business was first registered in Sainte-Croix (Ste-Croix), Vaud, Switzerland by Hermann Thorens. An initial producer of musical boxes and clock movements (which they were still producing in the 1950s), they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903.
In 1928, they produced their first electric (motor-drive) record player, and went on to produce a range of audiophile record players in the 1950s and 1960s which are, even 
today, regarded as high-end audio equipment, and are much sought-after, for example the belt-driven and sub-chassis suspended TD 150 which was presented 1965. Its principle is found in the Linn Sondek LP12, too. Its successor TD 160 appeared 1972 and was built nearly without discontinuity 20 years. With the TD 320 Thorens presented in 1984 changed the springs of the sub-chassis to laminated springs.
Although Thorens embarked on a cost-reduction effort in 1997, the company became insolvent in 1999. A newSuisse Thorens Export Company AG took over the assets and continued trading. The owner of the rights to the name was Heinz Rohrer.
From 1999 the less expensive TD 190/170, later the TD 190/170-1, without sub-chassis was offered, its design is similar to the more expensive Thorens-players.
First 2004 Thorens presented a mass drive player the TD 850.
2012 Thorens got the EISA Award "best product 2011 / 2012" for the TD 309, a sub-chassis player with a three-point-suspension and a turntable made of glass.
In May 2018 Gunter Kürten, who had been manager at Denon- and Elac, became CEO and relocated operations to Germany.
As of 2019, Thorens continues to produce well-regarded turntables for playback of vinyl and 78rpm gramophone records.
