Thorens Phantasie

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Brand: Thorens

The Thorens Phantasie was a build-to-order turntable and tonearm combination that was manufactured by the Swiss company Thorens in the 1950s. It was designed by Gunter Friedrich and Hans[-Joachim] Kalweit, who were both pioneers in the development of high-end audio equipment.The Thorens Phantasie differed from Thorens' standard production models in several ways. Firstly, it was built to order, allowing customers to select various components and customize the turntable to their specific needs. This model also featured a unique abandoned counterweight tonearm design that was developed by Friedrich and Kalweit, which provided exceptional tracking ability and low records wear.The Thorens Phantasie's platter was made of Duco, a proprietary material developed by Thorens that was considered to be a high-performance alternative to acrylic. The turntable was also fitted with high-quality bearings, including one-point suspension and air shocks, along with a replaceable vertical anti-skating weight adjustment mechanism.The Thorens Phantasie's cartridge options were equally impressive, featuring selectable headshell cartridges such as the Gyger S, Ortofon C, and Dynavector DV-10X. Sound-shaping components like the suspension range could also be customized.Other prominent features included a simple yet elegant design, light-green and brown leather cues, and a built-in phono preamp. The Phantasie was widely regarded as one of Thorens' finest designs and earned a reputation as a highly collectible and respected piece of audio history.Today, the Thorens Phantasie is a revered vintage product that is highly sought after by collectors and audiophiles alike. It is considered one of Thorens' most legendary turntables and represents an important period in the history of hi-fi audio technology.