Thorens - MM 008 ADC MM/MC Phono Preamplifier

A switchable moving-magnet and moving-coil phono stage with a 24-bit/96kHz analogue-to-digital converter and a USB output — so the same box that feeds your amplifier can transfer records to a computer.

First, a correction to how this product is usually described, including in its own model name. The MM 008 ADC is not moving-magnet only. Thorens’ own manual specifies it as MM/MC switchable, with 40dB of gain for moving magnet and 60dB for moving coil, and separate published noise and distortion figures for each mode. The MM in the name is misleading and a lot of listings repeat it.

On the analogue side it is a straightforward, well-measured phono stage: 47kΩ input impedance in both modes, 220pF of capacitance for moving magnet, RIAA accurate to ±0.3dB across 20Hz to 20kHz, distortion under 0.013% on MM, signal-to-noise better than 86dB on MM and better than 72dB on MC. Maximum output is 482mV rms from a 5mV input.

On the digital side there is a Tenor TE7022L 24-bit delta-sigma converter feeding a USB output. The ceiling is 24-bit at 96kHz, which is genuinely high resolution — better than CD, and enough that the transfer is not the weak link in the chain when you are archiving something that only exists on vinyl.

No recording software is included. Thorens’ own page recommends you supply software capable of recording at 24-bit/96kHz and saving to a lossless format such as FLAC or Apple Lossless, but nothing is in the box. Audacity is free and will do it on any platform; several better paid options exist. Note also that the operating systems listed in Thorens’ manual are old — Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP, plus Mac OS — which reflects the age of the documentation rather than a hard limit, but is worth knowing before you plan around it.

One thing we could not establish: whether the analogue RCA output and the USB output are live at the same time. Thorens does not say, their manual does not say, and the reviews we checked do not say. If you intend to leave this permanently between your turntable and your amplifier and plug a laptop in occasionally, ask us first and we will find out rather than let you assume.

Features

• Switchable moving-magnet and moving-coil operation — not MM only, despite the name
• 40dB gain for MM, 60dB for MC
• Tenor TE7022L 24-bit delta-sigma analogue-to-digital converter
• 24-bit / 96kHz maximum resolution over USB 2.0
• RIAA accurate to ±0.3dB, 20Hz–20kHz
• Signal-to-noise better than 86dB on MM, better than 72dB on MC
• MC input capacitance adjustable via a resistor plug
• Available in silver and black

Specifications

• Type: Moving-magnet and moving-coil phono preamplifier with a USB analogue-to-digital converter
• Cartridge support: MM and MC, switchable. Thorens’ own manual specifies MM/MC operation despite the MM in the model name
• How the mode is switched: Not published. Thorens states the mode is switchable but does not say whether the control is on the front, the rear or underneath
• Gain: 40dB (MM) and 60dB (MC) at 1kHz — two fixed values tied to the mode, not a stepped range
• Input impedance: 47kΩ in both modes
• Input capacitance: 220pF fixed for MM; 1nF for MC, described by Thorens as adjustable via a resistor plug
• Input sensitivity: 3.29mV rms (MM); 0.325mV rms (MC)
• Maximum output voltage: 482mV rms at 5mV rms input, 1kHz. Output impedance 47Ω
• RIAA accuracy: ±0.3dB. Frequency response 20Hz–20kHz ±0.3dB, and 10Hz–50kHz at −3dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: Better than 86dB (MM); better than 72dB (MC). Thorens does not publish the weighting
• THD+N: Less than 0.013% (MM); less than 0.055% (MC)
• Crosstalk: 40dB or better
• Subsonic filter: Not published by Thorens. A UK retailer states a 15Hz subsonic filter; that is third-party and unconfirmed against Thorens’ own documentation
• Circuit: Not published. A UK retailer describes it as a pure-bred Class-A amplifier; again third-party and unconfirmed by Thorens
• Analogue-to-digital converter: Tenor TE7022L, 24-bit delta-sigma
• Sample rates: 8, 16, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz at up to 24-bit. 96kHz/24-bit is the ceiling — no higher resolution is published anywhere
• USB: USB 2.0, fully backward-compatible with USB 1.1. Thorens’ manual lists operating system support as Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP plus Mac OS, which reflects the age of the documentation rather than a stated limit on newer systems
• Recording software: None supplied. Thorens recommends the user provide software capable of recording at 24-bit/96kHz and saving to a lossless format such as FLAC or Apple Lossless, and names no application
• Simultaneous analogue and USB output: Not published. Neither Thorens’ page, their manual, nor the reviews we checked state whether both outputs are live at once. Ask us before planning around it
• Inputs and outputs: RCA phono input, RCA line output, USB output. No XLR
• Power supply: External, 24V DC. Consumption 3.5W / 15mA. No upgrade supply is offered
• Dimensions: 150 x 50 x 117 mm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 511g without the power adapter
• Finishes: Silver and black are sold, per retailer listings. Thorens does not publish a finish list
• Country of manufacture: Not published. Thorens prints no country-of-manufacture statement for this product — only the company address in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, which is a registered office and not a factory.