Thiele

Origins of Thiele

The origins of the Thiele audio company, manufacturer of the TT-01 turntables, can be traced back to its founder, Helmut Thiele. Helmut Thiele’s journey into the world of audio design began when he was a student of mechanical engineering. However, he soon realized that this field was not his true calling and decided to switch to industrial design. This change in direction led him to move from the Ruhr University in Bochum to Krefeld.

In 1978, as part of his thesis, Helmut Thiele developed and designed a turntable. During this time, he also sought inspiration from the Audio Forum in Duisburg, where he had the opportunity to engage in lively discussions with Alfred Rudolph. This interaction not only broadened his knowledge but also led to him working on projects such as machining prototypes of spherical horns for the ion tweeter and building the bass horn for the first Excalibur speaker system.

Helmut Thiele’s experience and passion for audio design eventually culminated in the establishment of his own company, Thiele, which is now recognized for its high-quality audio products, including the TT-01 turntable. The TT-01, combined with the TA-01 tonearm, is considered one of the best turntables in the world, known for its innovative design and exceptional sound quality. Thiele’s dedication to overcoming the challenges of analog reproduction, such as the tracking error angle, has been a driving force behind the development of his unique and sophisticated audio products.