Morning!
Last May, I amazed and astounded you with the ultimate (then! HAH!) of High end audio stereo luxury – The Montegiro Lusso Turntable, yours for a mere 47K!
I know, I know….47K is mere pocket change when compared to the next mondo development! And that is…. (drumrolll please!):
The NEW Thorens Jubilee….An Analogue Dream to Match the 125th Anniversary, $56,000
…In April this year the new Jubilee was initially presented to the international audio press by CEO Heinz Rohrer. The Jubilee features two independent tonearm platforms while four individually adjustable feet with integrated "RDC 6s" compound are taking care of a most solid foothold. The platter of the Jubilee is driven by a synchronous motor via an internal, flat precision belt. This turntable is to be manufactured in strictly limited batches and will therefore become the most exclusive Thorens turntable of all times. The first units will be delivered still in this year….MORE….
Now, true….I confess to having a fond appreciation for turntables and the like – I’m probably one of the last kids who grew up to the sounds of Edna White’s Classical Trumpet playing on quarter-inch thick Edison records, or watching my dad carefully place pennies on the tonearm for some inexplicable reason. I even remember the phonograph record of the 1812 Overture, where the grooves visually zigzagged all over the place during the booming finale!
125 year anniversary….that would make it harken back to 1883. And indeed, I found over at The Analog Dept the following information:
1883 Trade registration of the family-business of Hermann Thorens, established in St.-Croix / Switzerland, with the purpose of manufacturing musical boxes and movements.
1903 Manufacturing of Thorens’ first Edison-type phonograph.
1906 Change-over to the manufacturing of horn-gramophones for shellac records.
1913-1964 Manufacturing of cigarette lighters
1914-1952 Manufacturing of harmonicas (except for the time from 1921-1938)
1927 Conversion of the family business to a joint-stock company (AG)
1928 Development of the first electric motor (direct drive) for gramophones.
1929 Development of the first electric phono pick-up (employing a magnet principle).
1933 Manufacturing of wireless appliances, partly in cooperation with the Strassfurt-Imperial Company of Germany.
1940-1950 Production of professional disc-cutting lathes and phono pick-up cartridges.
1943 Production of the first record changer.
1954-1960 Production of the mechanical razor "Thorens Riviera" .…MORE…
So that’s pretty cool indeed! Definitely visit the above link to learn more about the company’s history – it’s fascinating.
Anywhos! My TwitterBudgies love turntables as well, as you can see from their FAQ (what’s the Twitter Budgie standing on?). So combine that with my childhood memories and well hey…I’ll always find time to blog about high end audio. 🙂
Now, if the above is too lavish for your tastes, you can always consider:
Admit it…you’re secretly craving to start playing, eh? 🙂
More information about Thorens turntables can be found:
Enjoy,
Barbara
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ps – speaking about turntable goodies:
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