The Thorens TD-160C is one of those cornerstone turntables that keeps earning its reputation — a floating sub-chassis belt-driver from the early 1970s that feels as carefully considered today as it did when it first landed on a hi-fi shelf. The three-spring suspension does exactly what it should: decouple the platter and arm from the world outside so what you hear is the record, not the room. Musically, it offers real ease and a natural tonal balance — mids that breathe, bass with body and foundation without bloom, and a quiet enough backdrop that subtle details surface on their own. The TP-16 tonearm's low-mass tracking keeps things agile and compatible with a wide range of cartridges. It rewards good setup and ages gracefully. A genuine workhorse.
- Production
- 1972-1988
- Condition
- 9/10
- Serial No.
- 133633
- Orig. MSRP
- $200
- Restoration
- Speed good at 33 and 45
- Cartridge in good shape - Shure V15V-MR
- Restored Plinth
- Factory Specs
Drive System Electronically controlled, 16-pole synchronous motor with belt drive
Record Speeds 33⅓ and 45 rpm
Platter Non-magnetic zinc alloy, 12", 7 lbs; dynamically balanced
Wow and Flutter 0.06% (weighted)
Rumble (DIN 45539) -48 dB (unweighted), -68 dB (weighted)
Suspension Three-spring floating sub-chassis; tonearm and platter rigidly coupled to common sprung sub-chassis, isolated from plinth
Power Requirements 110–130V AC or 220–240V AC, 15W, 50/60 Hz
Type Gimbal-suspension, straight-tube tonearm with magnetic anti-skating control
Effective Length 9.06" (stylus tip to vertical tonearm bearing)
Stylus Overhang 0.55" adjustable
Lateral Tracking Error Less than 0.2° per cm of radius
Bearing Friction Less than 20 mg (vertical and horizontal planes, measured at stylus tip)
Headshell Die-cast magnesium, low-mass TP-60 plug-in shell; accepts standard ½" cartridges
Dimensions 17" × 7¾" × 13½" (W × H × D, with dust cover closed)
Weight 18 lbs
- The History of Thorens
- Thorens is the oldest name in entertainment electronics, founded in 1883 by Hermann Thorens in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland. An initial producer of musical boxes and clock movements, they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903. In 1928, Thorens produced their first electric motor-drive record player, and went ...
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- Liner Notes
Despite its moderate price, this handsome slim line integrated transcription turntable shares many of the advanced engineering features and refinements of the highly sophisticated Thorens TD-125 MkII series. For example the identical TP-16 tonearm and belt-driven synchronous motor used in the TD-125 MkII are incorporated into the TD-160C. In addition it comes complete with a walnut base and dust cover. Here's the traditional quality and precision you have come to expect from Thorens, at a modest price.
- Stock No.
- 9676817400029
The Thorens TD-160C is one of those cornerstone turntables that keeps earning its reputation — a floating sub-chassis belt-driver from the early 1970s that feels as carefully considered today as it did when it first landed on a hi-fi shelf. The three-spring suspension does exactly what it should: decouple the platter and arm from the world outside so what you hear is the record, not the room. Musically, it offers real ease and a natural tonal balance — mids that breathe, bass with body and foundation without bloom, and a quiet enough backdrop that subtle details surface on their own. The TP-16 tonearm's low-mass tracking keeps things agile and compatible with a wide range of cartridges. It rewards good setup and ages gracefully. A genuine workhorse.
Production
1972-1988
Condition
9/10
Serial No.
133633
Orig. MSRP
$200
Restoration
- Speed good at 33 and 45
- Cartridge in good shape - Shure V15V-MR
- Restored Plinth
Factory Specs
Drive System Electronically controlled, 16-pole synchronous motor with belt drive
Record Speeds 33⅓ and 45 rpm
Platter Non-magnetic zinc alloy, 12", 7 lbs; dynamically balanced
Wow and Flutter 0.06% (weighted)
Rumble (DIN 45539) -48 dB (unweighted), -68 dB (weighted)
Suspension Three-spring floating sub-chassis; tonearm and platter rigidly coupled to common sprung sub-chassis, isolated from plinth
Power Requirements 110–130V AC or 220–240V AC, 15W, 50/60 Hz
Type Gimbal-suspension, straight-tube tonearm with magnetic anti-skating control
Effective Length 9.06" (stylus tip to vertical tonearm bearing)
Stylus Overhang 0.55" adjustable
Lateral Tracking Error Less than 0.2° per cm of radius
Bearing Friction Less than 20 mg (vertical and horizontal planes, measured at stylus tip)
Headshell Die-cast magnesium, low-mass TP-60 plug-in shell; accepts standard ½" cartridges
Dimensions 17" × 7¾" × 13½" (W × H × D, with dust cover closed)
Weight 18 lbs
The History of Thorens
Thorens is the oldest name in entertainment electronics, founded in 1883 by Hermann Thorens in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland. An initial producer of musical boxes and clock movements, they started producing Edison-type phonographs in 1903. In 1928, Thorens produced their first electric motor-drive record player, and went ...
[ Read More ]
Liner Notes
Despite its moderate price, this handsome slim line integrated transcription turntable shares many of the advanced engineering features and refinements of the highly sophisticated Thorens TD-125 MkII series. For example the identical TP-16 tonearm and belt-driven synchronous motor used in the TD-125 MkII are incorporated into the TD-160C. In addition it comes complete with a walnut base and dust cover. Here's the traditional quality and precision you have come to expect from Thorens, at a modest price.
Stock No.
9676817400029
