Oracle Delphi vs Thorens TD 124
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Oracle Delphi · Thorens TD 124.
| Specification | Oracle Delphi |
Thorens TD 124 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $13,150 (used) | Highlighted difference. $2,500 (used) |
| Category | Vintage | Vintage |
| Status | current | discontinued |
| Years | 1979–present | 1957–1968 |
| Drive | belt drive | idler drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | Highlighted difference. 16/33/45/78 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | None | None |
| Phono stage | No | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | aluminium with damping | cast iron main platter with aluminium upper platter |
| Tonearm | none (sold armless) | none (usually sold as chassis; Thorens BTD-12S optional) |
| Wow & flutter | — | — |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
The Thorens TD 124 undercuts the Oracle Delphi by $10,650 — $2,500 against $13,150.
The Oracle Delphi spins its platter via belt drive; the Thorens TD 124 uses idler drive instead. Neither is objectively better — a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi versus a rubber idler wheel driving the platter rim directly, giving huge torque and a punchy, immediate character that's become a specific taste among collectors.
The Thorens TD 124 is discontinued, so that side of this comparison is really "used Thorens TD 124 vs new Oracle Delphi" — factor in condition, service history and the lack of a warranty against a fresh unit with manufacturer support.
Bottom line: the Thorens TD 124 has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $10,650 gap.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Oracle Delphi…
Retailer searches
4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Center | music retail | Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. | View at Guitar Center ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at Reverb ↗ |
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | View at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |