By 1972, Thorens had already cemented its legend with the TD-124—a rim-drive behemoth that audiophiles still worship like a holy relic. But the TD-160 was something else entirely: a belt-drive suspended-subchassis design that took everything the TD-150 did right and quietly improved it. No fanfare, no iconic status. Just a turntable that got on with the job.
The TD-160 shares the same DNA as its pricier siblings: a massive 16-pole synchronous motor, a heavy platter that spins up to speed with authority, and a three-point spring suspension that isolates the tonearm and platter from footfalls and feedback. But Thorens simplified the construction, leaving off the TD-125’s electronic speed control and the 124’s idler-wheel complexity. The result was a machine that was easier to live with—and cheaper to buy—without sacrificing the essential Thorens magic.
What does it sound like? Musical, plain and simple. Not the cold, analytical presentation of modern high-end decks. The TD-160 has a warm, rhythmic drive that makes you tap your foot instead of analyzing the soundstage. It digs out bass lines with a roundness that’s almost tactile, and the midrange—especially with a good moving magnet cartridge—has that slightly romantic bloom that older vinyl enthusiasts chase for decades. It’s not the last word in detail retrieval. It’s the last word in enjoyment.
The stock tonearm—usually the TP16 or the later TP62—is functional but unremarkable. That’s the one real caveat. The bearings aren’t as tight as an SME or a Rega RB300, and the anti-skate mechanism is fiddly. Most serious owners end up swapping the arm for a Rega or a Jelco, and that’s where the TD-160 truly blossoms. Factor that into your budget. A good arm and cartridge will cost more than the table itself. Don’t let that scare you—it’s still a bargain compared to any new turntable that can match its pace and timing.
What makes it special is that it rewards you for paying attention. Because it’s not a collectible like the TD-124, you can find clean examples for $400–800 without crying over a cracked plinth. Because it’s so simple, you can rebuild the suspension, rewire the arm, and install a better tonearm base without a degree in engineering. It’s the starter classic that never stops giving.
So yes, the TD-160 got overlooked. But that only means it’s still affordable. And once you hear a well-sorted one with a good cartridge tracking a well-loved LP, you’ll understand why Thorens built these things for over a decade. It doesn’t need to be a legend. It just needs to play music.