Listening Test: The Thorens TD 160
The Master of Atmosphere
The Artifact
If the Dual 1019 is a tank in a tuxedo, the Thorens TD 160 is a ballet dancer in a black turtleneck. Where the Dual achieves its quality through mass and power, the Thorens does it with elegance and isolation. The iconic three-point suspended sub-chassis, which floats the platter and tonearm on springs, is a design philosophy that prioritizes nuance over brute force. It exists to let the stylus read the groove with as little outside interference as possible.
The Sonic Signature
The sound of the TD 160 is defined by its "velvety black background." It is airy, detailed, and incredibly nimble. It excels at creating a wide, three-dimensional soundstage, placing instruments in a specific space with remarkable precision. It may not have the visceral, gut-punching bass of a top-tier idler-drive, but it more than makes up for it with its ability to resolve the most delicate details and create an immersive, atmospheric listening experience.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths: Superb detail retrieval and an airy, three-dimensional soundstage. Excellent isolation from motor noise and external vibrations (when properly set up). Elegant, minimalist design. Highly "tweakable" for improved performance.
Weaknesses: The suspended chassis can be tricky to tune correctly ("the Thorens bounce") and is sensitive to footfalls on unstable floors. The bass, while articulate, lacks the powerful slam of idler or high-mass direct-drive tables. Stock tonearm wiring can be a weak point.
Cartridge Considerations
The stock TP16 tonearm is a low-mass design, meaning it works best with high-compliance (more "bouncy") cartridges. This makes it an ideal platform for legendary vintage cartridges like the Shure V15 Type III or the Ortofon OM 20/30/40 series. For a modern pairing, the Audio-Technica VM540ML is a fantastic match, its MicroLine stylus extracting a huge amount of detail that the Thorens is uniquely equipped to deliver.
The Three-Record Test
Steely Dan - Aja: This is the record the TD 160 was born to play. The Thorens renders the album's complex, layered production with breathtaking clarity. Every instrument, from the shimmering cymbals to the subtle guitar fills, occupies its own distinct space in the soundstage. It turns a pristine recording into a holographic soundscape.
Daft Punk - Random Access Memories: While it may not deliver the same physical slam as an idler-drive, the Thorens reveals the incredible texture and detail within the album's electronic architecture. The synthesized layers have a shimmer and decay that can get lost on less resolving tables. It’s a more cerebral, but no less enjoyable, presentation.
Bill Evans Trio - Sunday at the Village Vanguard: This is the TD 160's ultimate party trick. The suspended design seems to melt away, leaving you with the uncanny feeling of being in the room. You don't just hear the piano; you hear the space around it, the clinking of glasses, the quiet murmurs of the audience. It is an atmospheric, transportive experience.
The Verdict & Recommendation
The Thorens TD 160 is a legend for a reason. It is for the listener who prioritizes detail, atmosphere, and nuance. If you love acoustic music, complex studio productions, and live recordings, the TD 160 will draw you deeper into your favorite albums than you ever thought possible. It requires a bit of care in setup, but the sonic payoff is a sound that competes with tables costing many times its price.
From the Guild Workshop
We do not currently have a Thorens TD 160 in the workshop, but we are always hunting for exceptional examples. A properly tuned TD 160 is a joy to behold, and any unit we offer will have its suspension perfectly calibrated and all components serviced to meet or exceed original factory specifications.
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