A tail blazing design throughout the 50s and 60s, the TD124 stood alone on a pedestal thanks to its drive that used a belt and an idler wheel.

A heavy platter, bombproof bearing and a motor so hefty you’d swear it could power a tram.

Despite the affection and esteem lavished on the rival Garrard 301 and 401 turntables, many consider it a superior vinyl spinner to the British brigade.

Whilst it’s no TD124, Thoren’s current TD-550-SME 309 is a thoroughly contemporary design and sadly, it’s one of audio’s best-kept secrets.

Auditioned recently and fitted an Ortofon Anna cartridge the sound left everyone in the room gobsmacked.

If you value a surfeit of macro and micro dynamics, perfect pace and timing, arresting levels of detail and neutrality befitting a $21,799 RRP turntable, do yourself a favour and track down a store smart enough to stock a TD-550.

You may have a chore ahead since each TD-550 is made to order in Germany and that suggests it’s going to be quite rare.

Technically the TD-550 is equipped with a 6.3kg platter and comes in a choice of chrome-plated or black anodized aluminium finish.

Thorens make a point of saying that only the finest black-piano lacquer or Makassar wood is used to make the TD-550’s plinth.

In situ the TD-550 is a design triumph, weighing 20 kgs, fitted with a massive sprung-suspension and suspended chassis, and a carbon fibre tonearm platform. It can take a 12-inch tonearm and I already hear buyers whispering SME312 tonearm and Ortofon’s SPU or a Decca cartridge.

As for the motor, we can attest that its hefty and so silent you have to cup an ear over it to see if its running.

Included in the package are a mains adaptor, acrylic dustcover, RCA interconnects, spirit level, stylus gauge and cotton gloves.

As to the big question: does the TD-550 compete with a TD124 or Garrard 301, let’s say having owned numerous examples of these two icons, the answer is: the TD-550 is in a sonic league of its own.

For more information visit the Thorens brand page.