{"product_id":"thorens-spu-124","title":"Thorens SPU 124 – MC Cartridge in SPU Design","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Thorens SPU 124 is a high-end MC cartridge in the classic SPU design, developed by Thorens together with Ortofon specifically for the TD 124 DD turntable and the TP 124 tonearm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SPU design with integrated headshell and SME bayonet has been considered one of the most musical moving-coil constructions ever since the 1950s – warm, full-bodied, with that typically vivid sense of space. Thorens rebuilt the concept with modern materials and sharpened it precisely where the old SPUs reached their limits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the SPU 124?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it keeps the charm of a genuine SPU without leaving you alone with its historical quirks. The reworked generator delivers 0.5 mV output voltage – significantly more than classic SPUs – and therefore gets along with virtually any common MC phono input, without needing a high-gain step-up transformer. At the same time, the mass at the stylus tip has been reduced: lower tracking force, better tracing. In short – the classic, made fit for everyday use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA full, organic sound with rich, natural mids and a vocal timbre that you know and love from good SPUs. The bare elliptical stylus resolves finely without ever sounding analytical or nervous. Jazz, classical and vocals get exactly the warmth and body this design is famous for – music you feel rather than dissect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the SPU 124 for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who owns a TD 124 DD and really wants to push it to the limit – here the SPU 124 is the manufacturer-matched ideal cast. Straight talk: the SPU 124 wants a suitable, medium-to-heavy mass tonearm with an SME bayonet and an MC-capable phono input. Anyone with only a very light tonearm or exclusively an MM input is better served by a different cartridge. And anyone chasing the last clinically dissected sliver of treble should know: on principle, the SPU would rather play musically than spectacularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SPU 124 is the most obvious and at the same time most fitting complement to the TD 124 DD: an SPU with character, whose rough edges Thorens has smoothed just enough that it brings joy in everyday use instead of work. If you love your classic, there's hardly a way around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: MC (moving coil) cartridge in SPU design, developed with Ortofon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMount: integrated headshell with SME bayonet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage: 0.5 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus profile: bare elliptical, radius r\/R 8\/18 µm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz (± 2 dB)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel separation: \u0026gt; 23 dB (1 kHz) \/ \u0026gt; 15 dB (15 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChannel balance: \u0026lt; 1.5 dB (1 kHz)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStylus compliance: 8 µm\/mN (dynamic, lateral)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended tracking force: 3.0 g (range 2.5 – 3.5 g)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal resistance: 2 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended load impedance: 10 – 50 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 30 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatched to: Thorens TD 124 DD \/ TP 124 tonearm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded: SPU 124 cartridge with integrated headshell (SPU body)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the Thorens SPU 124 fit any turntable?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The SPU 124 is designed for tonearms with an SME bayonet and sufficient effective mass – ideal for the Thorens TD 124 DD with the TP 124 tonearm. On very light tonearms or without an SME connector, it's not the right choice. If in doubt, we'll quickly clarify the combination with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a special phono preamp for the SPU 124?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, you need an MC-capable phono preamp. With 0.5 mV output voltage, the SPU 124 delivers more level than classic SPUs and doesn't require an expensive step-up transformer. A load impedance of 10 to 50 ohms suits it best – most good MC inputs cover that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich turntable is the Thorens SPU 124 intended for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrimarily the Thorens TD 124 DD. Thorens tuned the SPU 124 together with Ortofon precisely to this turntable and the TP 124 tonearm. It also works on other decks with a suitable SME tonearm – but it plays out its full strength in the TD 124 DD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy buy the Thorens SPU 124 at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause analog playback lives and dies by the right combination – and that's exactly where our years of experience help you. We tell you honestly whether the SPU 124 fits your tonearm and your phono stage, mount and adjust it for you at our place in Wädenswil on request, and remain your point of contact even after the purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePairs well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou'll find the right amplification under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ephono preamps\u003c\/a\u003e. The ideal turntable to go with it is among the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/thorens\"\u003eThorens models\u003c\/a\u003e and other \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eturntables\u003c\/a\u003e. More cartridges are in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Thorens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53036800606544,"sku":null,"price":1990.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/thorens-spu-124-mc-tonabnehmer-seitenansicht.jpg?v=1786784758","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/thorens-spu-124","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}