Thorens TD-145 Value Guide (2026)
The Thorens TD-145 is a Swiss-made belt-drive turntable produced from 1975 to 1978. It shares its core design with the TD-160: same suspended subchassis, same TP-16 tonearm, same motor, but adds automatic tonearm lift and motor shutoff at the end of the record. That single addition is both the TD-145's main selling point and its main complication when buying used.
TD-145 vs TD-160: what's actually different
The TD-160 is a fully manual deck. When the record ends, the needle sits in the run-out groove until you lift it yourself. The TD-145 adds electronics and a cam mechanism that raises the tonearm and cuts the motor when it detects the end of the record. That is the only meaningful difference between the two.
The subchassis, platter, bearing, and tonearm are identical. The zinc alloy subplatter with 10mm spindle shaft is shared. The TP-16 tonearm with magnetic antiskating is shared. The suspended three-spring isolation system is shared. Sonically, a properly set up TD-145 and TD-160 in equivalent condition are indistinguishable.
The TD-160 is more popular partly because it's more common and partly because the auto-stop mechanism on the TD-145 is one more thing that can fail. A TD-145 with a non-functioning auto-stop is still a fully usable turntable; the mechanism doesn't affect playback; but it's worth factoring into the price.
Current market values
| Model | Spec | Working |
|---|---|---|
| Thorens TD-160 | — | $719.1 |
| Thorens TD-145 | — | $988 |
| Thorens TD-150 | — | $525 |
| Thorens TD-165 | — | $400 |
The suspended subchassis: why it matters
The defining feature of the TD-145 is not the auto-stop. It's the suspended subchassis that the deck shares with the TD-160 family. The platter and tonearm sit on a subchassis that floats on three springs, isolated from the main plinth. This filters out external vibration: footfall, speaker bass, resonance from furniture. A turntable sitting directly on a rigid plinth transmits all of that into the stylus.
The trade-off is setup. The springs need to be balanced so the subchassis bounces evenly in all directions. A TD-145 that's been moved, stored, or whose springs have weakened with age may sit unevenly. Before buying, ask the seller to demonstrate the bounce test: press down gently on the subchassis and release. It should bob slowly and evenly without twisting. If it tilts or binds, the springs need attention.
What to check before buying
Belt: Original belts from 1975-1978 are almost certainly stretched, cracked, or missing. A new belt costs around $12-15 and takes 20 minutes to fit. It's the first thing to replace on any TD-145. A seller listing a "working" TD-145 with a 40-year-old belt may not realize how marginal the speed stability is.
Auto-stop mechanism: Test that the tonearm lifts at end of record and the motor stops. The cam and lever mechanism can stick or fail with age. A non-functional auto-stop reduces value but doesn't affect playback. A sticky auto-stop that activates mid-record is worse; verify it doesn't trigger early.
Suspension springs: Check that the subchassis sits level and bounces evenly. Sagged springs can be replaced but add cost. A deck where the subchassis bottoms out or tilts heavily to one side needs spring work before it performs properly.
Dust cover: The hinged dust cover on TD-145s cracks at the hinge points with age. Replacement covers are available but add $40-80 to cost. Check all four hinge points in listing photos.
Cartridge: Most used TD-145s come with an original cartridge that has a worn or damaged stylus. Budget $75-200 for a replacement stylus or new cartridge on top of the purchase price. A seller listing "with cartridge" rarely means "with a usable stylus."
TD-145 Mk I vs Mk II
The Mk II variant introduced minor refinements but no fundamental changes to the drive or tonearm. The main visible difference is the plinth finish and some cosmetic updates. Values are similar between versions. Mk I units have the 10mm spindle shaft throughout; some later Mk II examples have a 7mm shaft, which marginally affects bearing stability. If the seller knows which version they have it's worth asking, but it's a minor distinction.
Performance in context
A properly set up TD-145 with a fresh belt, level suspension, and a decent cartridge competes with new turntables sold at $600-900. The suspended subchassis design Thorens developed in the 1970s is the same principle used in tables costing several thousand dollars today. The value case for a serviced TD-145 is strong if you're willing to do the setup work or pay someone to do it.
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