Thorens TD 160 Opinions
TNHNDYMAN
Posts: 2,145
Local guy has a Thorens he's willing to part with. Pricing prob about $150. I've heard a lot of good feedback from past threads, but don't really know how it would compare to the Technics SL-1600 I am currently running with either a Shure mx97 or an Orotofon 2M Red cart. Are they finicky to keep working speed wise or any particular issues to be wary of? Hope to take a look at it this weekend and trying to educate myself a little about them before I go make an offer. Don't have a lot of cash flow right now, but I hardly ever seen nice turntables available locally and don't want to miss out if it would be a step up in performance vs the Technics or even a new TT such as a mid level Rega maybe. Any feedback appreciated. Going to work now and will check back this evening. Thx.
2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
Comments
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I have one but I haven't used it after I upgraded to a Denon DP72L. It was very sensitive to movement, even walking on the floor, before I put it up on some Vibrapads I think it was. Mine came without the arm and wanted to put my own arm on it right away anyway so can't speak to that. I have a friend who bought one new and still loves it, paired with a Shure, maybe a V15 though not sure might be a M91ED now that I think about it. He put his on a shelf hung from the wall to try to avoid the sensitivity to movement. They seem to bring good money. May need some refurbing ... (?)
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I think $150 is a great price for a Thorens TD-160 as long as it is not trashed.
I have owned and used the same TD-160 for almost 40 years. Bought it new when I was 16 or 17. Used all kinds of cartridges in it including various Shure, Sonus, Ortofon, Grado etc. Only replaced the belt and lubricated the spindle a few times.
That said, I recently bought a used Pro-Ject Genie 1.3 and I do think it sounds better than my Thorens, so (maybe) turntables have improved in 4o years. It might be the Sumiko Pearl cartridge that the Genie came with. I want to move it to the Thorens to see if that is the difference,Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player -
Very nice tt as far as I am concerned.
Not too finicky if the suspension's healthy and properly adjusted. The arm is fairly low-mass and will work best with a high-ish compliance cartridge. -
He emailed me a few pics today. Looks clean. C model for those in the know. Good, bad or anything particular about this model that is an issue?
2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer. -
Two carts w/ stylus included...Shure M70B and a Shure Hi Track (M91 E? I think). Not V 15's but at least playable.2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
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So he's seen some ebay prices and thinks he may try to sell it that way. This is an inexperienced seller that's not used to packing a turntable to be drop kicked by fed ex across the country. Offered $150 and explained the difficulties in trying to get it packaged and shipped safely and the risk that would entail. My guess is he wants the big bucks and will take his chances. Don't blame him, but expect it will be a part unit before too long. Shame since it's in nice condition.2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
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Yeah too bad! $150 would have been a steal for that! Definitely a classic.
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That unit will bring $400+ on the auction site right now. It would be worth your while to offer $250 for it as you could always resell for profit if needed. You are correct about shipping it, I have 2 Thorens sitting in my room that got trashed even after explicit instructions prior to shipping. I would wager more turntables are damaged in shipping than are delivered as described just seeing the relisted parts units after poor packing.HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable
2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable -
If that cart is an M91ED it is desirable. Not sure about a M91E, not familiar with them but the former is sought after and brings decent cash. As far as trashed tables, I've been the recipient of one of those and its a shame but in my case the seller didn't even take the platter off prior to shipping although assuring me they'd shipped many, many TT's
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I'm still going over to check it out Sunday after church. I might find a way to come up to $200 but that would probably be my max due to other bills. We talked on the phone last night and he's aware of the problems with shipping and will consider my offer. Hoping to see if he needs any painting work done and may trade some labor instead of cash to make it work. I have plenty of gear to trade but he's not interested due to selling his gear because his hearing has declined to the point it's not enjoyable anymore for him to listen.2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
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Wow, that thing is in beautiful condition. Even the dust cover looks great. I don't think you would be disappointed if you can get it for anything less than $400.Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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He actually seems interested in letting me do some painting for him. Could work out, fingers crossed. @ Tim- I know it's worth $400, just don't have the cash and really don't want to buy it to flip and have to ship myself. The sensitivity to footfalls has me concerned, but I do have some vibra pods I could use. My ent system rack and setup would not allow mounting on the wall.2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.
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That is a great idea.
I would TOTALLY work for vintage stereo equipment.
I am just getting too old and slow for robbing liquor stores and prostituting myself on the bad side of Oconomowoc WI (although that thought has occurred to me before).Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player -
Timothy, you say that like its a bad thing. Lol
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Did ya mention the plethora of flakey ebayers and the possibility of Paypal pains ? Cash waving is a powerful incentive sometimes ! ( I have a TD-145, I'm lazy about end-of-record arm lifting.
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Mostly good news today. Went and checked out the Thorens. It's definitely a beauty in pristine condition. Even the cover is almost without blemish. Played a few albums on it and the sound was quite nice thru a cheap onkyo receiver. Tapped the table and base of turntable itself with no transfer of sound thru to speakers. Suspension seemed to be in fine shape. The belt was replaced a couple years ago and still seems to be fine.
The work he was hoping to have done is unfortunately a bit beyond what I would be comfortable doing myself, so I will not be able to trade labor for the table. However he did agree to price it to me for $250. I believe it to me a more than fair price and will most likely purchase it after next payday around the 3rd of May. I will probably pick up the ION turntable with USB output as well for a friend that wanted something she could play thru her computer and make a few bucks on it to help toward the purchase of the Thorens.
The wife is ok with it, but in reality I do need to pick my 2 favorite turntables to keep and find new homes for the rest. I don't want to ship or fool with ebay either so that leaves me a limited market locally.
Anyone care to expound on the low mass arm need high compliance cart to sound best scenario. Would either of my existing decent carts the Shure M97xe or the 2M Red fit the bill for a lightweight arm?
2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer. -
I think either one of those carts would work really well with the Thorens. The long and short of it is low compliance carts have stiff suspensions and thus require a heavier tonearm to get the cantilever/stylus assembly to move the way they are designed to. Higher compliance carts are not as stiff and do not need as heavy of a tonearm to get the stylus/cantilever to move and trace the grooves on the records as designed.
