Thorens Tribute to a Legend TD 124 DD Double LP at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

Thorens Tribute to a Legend is an audiophile double LP from Thorens (Lahr, Germany) in partnership with in-akustik, available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Released as a personal celebration of the iconic EISA-award-winning TD 124 DD turntable, this two-record jazz compilation was curated from a private vinyl collection to showcase authentic timbres and maximum dynamic range on a high-resolution analog system. Pressed on 180-gram Virgin Vinyl using Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) at 33 1/3 RPM, it spans recordings from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s through recent productions, presenting artists including Jazzrausch, Wolfgang Haffner, Youn Sun Nah, Chantal Chamberland, Concha Buika, Fela Kuti, Chuck Mangione, The Monty Alexander Trio, and Count Basie and His Orchestra across a premium gatefold sleeve.

A Personal Tribute to the Legendary TD 124

The TD 124, introduced by Thorens in 1957, remains one of the most revered and sought-after broadcast turntables in the history of recorded music. Used in professional radio stations worldwide for decades, it is synonymous with the combination of high-torque drive, musical warmth, and rhythmic authority that defined the golden era of vinyl playback. Thorens curated this double LP as a personal celebration of that legacy, drawing on tracks that have accompanied the brand's leadership through private and professional life over decades. The selection covers jazz in its broadest sense, from the modern electronic jazz grooves of Jazzrausch to the classic big-band sweep of Count Basie, chosen not only for musical pleasure but as a technically demanding test of a hi-fi system's ability to resolve spatial cues, dynamic contrasts, and timbral accuracy.

DMM Mastering, 180-Gram Virgin Vinyl, and Audiophile Pressing Quality

Every pressing decision for the Tribute to a Legend compilation is made to maximize sonic performance as a reference and demonstration record. Direct Metal Mastering cuts the master groove directly into a copper-plated disc, eliminating the intermediate lacquer step of conventional cutting and its associated pre-echo artifact and high-frequency limitations. The 180-gram Virgin Vinyl formulation, using first-use PVC without recycled material, produces a denser, more uniform disc with a lower background noise floor and greater structural integrity than standard-weight pressings. The combination of DMM and 180-gram virgin vinyl creates a dead-quiet background from which the music's full dynamic range and fine spatial detail can emerge.

Key Features

• Curated Tribute to the TD 124 DD: Hand-selected tracks from a private collection chosen to celebrate the iconic 1957 Thorens TD 124 broadcast turntable and its EISA award-winning revival.
• Direct Metal Mastering (DMM): Groove cut directly into copper for elimination of pre-echo, extended high-frequency response, and maximum dynamic accuracy.
• 180-Gram Virgin Vinyl: First-use PVC for the lowest possible surface noise floor and maximum disc durability.
• Authentic Timbres and Maximum Dynamics: Mastering emphasis placed on natural tonal reproduction and the widest possible dynamic range for demanding hi-fi evaluation.
• Spanning 1970s Through Recent Productions: Four decades of jazz, soul, and world music from artists including Fela Kuti, Youn Sun Nah, Chuck Mangione, Wolfgang Haffner, and Count Basie.
• Premium Gatefold Jacket: Double LP presented in a high-quality gatefold sleeve with PE-lined inner sleeves.
• Pressed in Germany by in-akustik: Specialist audiophile label for pressing quality control.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thorens Tribute to a Legend double LP?

The Thorens Tribute to a Legend is a 13-track audiophile double LP pressed by in-akustik to celebrate the iconic Thorens TD 124 DD turntable. It is mastered using Direct Metal Mastering, pressed on 180-gram Virgin Vinyl at 33 1/3 RPM, and presented in a premium gatefold jacket. It spans jazz, soul, and world recordings from the 1970s through recent productions, featuring artists including Jazzrausch, Youn Sun Nah, Wolfgang Haffner, Fela Kuti, and Count Basie. It is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA.

How does the Tribute to a Legend LP compare to the Thorens New Reference Collection?

Both compilations are pressed on 180-gram Virgin Vinyl using Direct Metal Mastering by in-akustik. The primary differences are purpose, speed, and musical focus. The Tribute to a Legend was released to celebrate the TD 124 DD and plays at 33 1/3 RPM, drawing on jazz recordings from the 1970s onward. The New Reference Collection was released to celebrate the Thorens New Reference turntable and plays at the higher-fidelity 45 RPM speed, drawing on 60 years of music from 1960 with a stronger focus on soul. The 45 RPM format of the New Reference Collection provides a higher signal-to-noise ratio and greater dynamic headroom per side. Both serve as demanding hi-fi reference and demonstration discs.

What makes Direct Metal Mastering different from standard lacquer cutting?

Standard vinyl mastering cuts the groove into a lacquer-coated aluminum disc, which is then used to create metal stampers for pressing. The soft lacquer can deform slightly adjacent to the cut groove, causing a faint version of the upcoming music to be audible before it plays, an artifact called pre-echo. Direct Metal Mastering cuts directly into a copper-plated disc, which is harder and does not deform adjacent grooves. DMM masters also preserve high-frequency content more accurately and produce a measurably quieter groove surface.

Is this LP a good test record for evaluating a new phono cartridge?

Yes. The Tribute to a Legend mastering was specifically focused on authentic timbres and maximum dynamic range, making it an excellent diagnostic tool for evaluating a phono cartridge's tonal accuracy and dynamic capability. The diversity of recordings, from small-ensemble jazz to full big-band, tests the system's ability to resolve spatial depth, micro-dynamics, and instrumental timbre. The 180-gram DMM pressing minimizes surface artifacts, so any coloration or distortion audible is attributable to the playback system rather than the record.

What turntable should I use to play the Tribute to a Legend LP?

The Tribute to a Legend was curated to celebrate the Thorens TD 124 DD and was originally demonstrated playing through the TD 124 DD with an Ortofon SPU Meister Silver cartridge and a vintage SME 3012 S2 tonearm. However, any high-quality analog front end will reproduce it well. For Thorens users, the TD 124 DD, TD 1600 with TAS 1600, or TD 1500 with TAS 1500 or Ortofon 2M Bronze are all excellent system-matched choices for getting the full performance from this pressing.

Where can I buy the Thorens Tribute to a Legend LP in Buffalo or the USA?

The Thorens Tribute to a Legend TD 124 DD Double LP is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Thorens dealer carrying the full range of Thorens turntables, accessories, and related audio products for audiophiles across Western New York and the United States.