Did I get a good deal on a Thorens TD 160 tt?

pglbook
pglbook Posts: 2,222
edited May 2013 in Electronics
I have been looking for a decent turntable for some time now and just stopped by my local vinatge record shop a few blocks from where I live and purchased a used Thorens TD 160 turntable for $80.

I knew Thorens turntable were excellent tts but I did not know much about the different models so I made an impulse buy. Heck, for $80, I figured I could not go wrong. It seems to work fine as I tested it out at the store.

Is the TD 160 a good model?

Other than a new cartridge for it, is there anything else I should do in order to get it set it up properly? Should I take it to a local vintage audio tech to clean it and set it up for me?

What would be a good cartridge for it? Would the Shure M97 XE be a good fit for it? I have heard good things about that cartridge and it is reasonably priced so that would be my cartridge preference if it is is a good match for the TD 160.

I guess I can put another $100-$150 into it but I cannot break the bank tweaking it and modifying it so please keep that in mind with any suggestions and recommendations..

Thanks. Vinyl here I come!
Post edited by pglbook on
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Comments

  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited May 2013
    If the belt has not been changed?, thats a place to start. Basic lube and cleaning, motor speed adjustment , clean and set up the tonearm ect. If you have a shop as stated they should be able to do all that and more.the sure cart. Comes with a (paper) cart. mounting gage so thats not a big deal.also you could add a pair of rca connectors from the tonearm and than you could use any grade cable you want amd can upgrade at will ( as the budget allows.)
    Main Rig:
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    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,421
    edited May 2013
    If this is the one, I would say you did alright for yourself.


    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thorens-TD-160-Super-Stereo-Turntable-with-Grado-Stylus-/290920282778?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item43bc333a9a
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • trav0810
    trav0810 Posts: 1,056
    edited May 2013
    The 160 is a great TT. I have the 145 which is the same unit except has the automatic lift at the end of the record. You got a steal for $80. Congrats!!!

    The sure you mentioned is a great Cart. I have an Ortofon Red on mine which is a pretty nice cart for the money.
    The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits.” -Albert Einstein

    Sony Playstation 3 for CD and Streaming
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited May 2013
    You got a steal. That's a really good table and there are boat loads of upgrades for them that you can do when time and money permits. Do a search on the net and see for yourself. The Sure would be a great match for that table. Congrats!
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited May 2013
    I have a 126, I think you got a very good deal.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited May 2013
    That there is a beautiful TT..hope it sounds great and what a great price....randy
    ..
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited May 2013
    Talk to UpstateMax. He lives in the Albany area, he is the person I bought my Thorens TD-166 (since sold) from. I know he had it serviced, so he must know someone you can use.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited May 2013
    TD-160's go for between $250 - $450 on Canuck Audio Mart all the time in stock condition. Higher with mods. You got a great deal and the Shure is a really good fit. Congrats!!!
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited May 2013
    Thanks everyone. I am very happy with the tt. I knew Thorens made great turntables and also knew that $80 for any Thorens model would be a great deal and that is why I went ahead and bought it without knowing anything specific about that particular model. But, from the comments here, and from what I have been reading online about the TD 160, it seems like the TD 160 is one of the better Thorens models. I am really happy to get such a great tt at a fantastic price. I want to jump right into vinyl but I want to be patient so I will first buy a new cartridge for it (Shure M97 XE) and then I will have it serviced and cleaned and set up correctly by a local audio repair shop here. It seems to work fine but I want to have the belt checked, the tone arm balanced, the speed checked, etc, as I have no idea how long it has been since it was serviced or even if it has been serviced at all since it was new. Also, I do not know how old the cartridge/stylus is so I want to get a new cartridge/stylus before playing the few records I have; better safe than sorry. I tested the tt at the shop prior to buying it and it sounded great. I had forgotten how much better vinyl sounds than CDs. I cannot wait to get it all set up...but I will be patient and do it properly..so hopefully in a month or so I can have it all ready to go. Thanks again for all of your feedback. It is much appreciated.
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