Platine vinyle manuelle Thorens TD 1600

The Thorens TD 1600 is the worthy successor to the turntables designed by Thorens since 1965, starting with the famous Thorens TD 150. It was the first to feature a spring-suspended sub-chassis. The principle proved to be very effective and was widely imitated in the years that followed and still is today, for example by Linn with the LP12.

THORENS TD 1600: Base and chassis

The base is made of lacquered MDF or varnished walnut veneer. The top is brushed aluminium and the tonearm board is also made of black lacquered MDF. 

Like its famous predecessors from the 1970s and 1980s, the Thorens TD 1600 has a sub-chassis that decouples the turntable and tonearm from the motor and chassis. This suspension is achieved by means of three conical springs, but they are no longer mounted on the top panel, but on the bottom of the chassis. A small but sturdy steel thread connects the sub-chassis to a steel pin on the bottom, preventing the sub-chassis from wobbling and allowing only vertical movement. The springs can be adjusted from the top of the turntable through housings under the platter.

The TD 1600 comes with a smoked acrylic cover.

THORENS TD1600: Drive and platter

The platter is made of die-cast aluminium. It weighs 1.4 kg and is 22 mm thick. It sits on a solid aluminium sub-platter, which is driven by a traditional flat belt... 

The platter is covered with a vintage-style rubber mat, which guarantees excellent inertia while absorbing vibrations and ensuring very good coupling between the record and the platter. 

The speed of the DC motor is electronically controlled by an incremental encoder and any deviations are automatically corrected. This also reduces wow and flutter to very low levels. The speed is controlled electronically, allowing you to switch easily between 33rpm and 45rpm using the selector switch on the left of the turntable. Fine and precise adjustments can be made at the rear of the turntable using two adjustment screws.

The Thorens TD 1600 is powered by a separate, regulated power supply. It connects to the turntable with a specific 3-pin lockable cable.

THORENS TD1600: Tonearm and cartridge

The Thorens TD 1600 turntable is equipped with the new Thorens TP160 9" (232.8 mm) medium-weight tonearm. Its optimal weight distribution and high rigidity make it the ideal support for the most high-performance cartridges. These cartridges fit the standard cartridge holder supplied as standard. The TP 160 is also compatible with any other SME bayonet cartridge holder or integrated cartridge, such as the Ortofon SPU. As the effective length of cartridges can vary slightly, the arm tube can be adjusted axially to ensure perfect overhang.

For horizontal movement, the arm is equipped with high-quality Japanese ball bearings, adjusted for perfect smoothness and zero play, and designed to maintain its qualities even with intensive daily use. 

Vertically, the arm tube moves thanks to a brand-new blade bearing. Here, gravity, magnetism and precision mechanics combine for precise, smooth and play-free mobility. The bearing is self-centring, offering no friction and requiring no maintenance.

The vertical tracking angle (VTA) can be adjusted precisely and securely using a fine-threaded lock on the tonearm base. Antiskating is compensated by a calibrated spring mechanism. Azimuth adjustment is facilitated by a rotating cartridge holder. Factory preset for perfectly parallel alignment, it is generally not necessary to correct it with high-end systems. Tracking force is traditionally achieved by static balancing. Thanks to its two-part counterweight, the arm supports both heavy and light cartridges and cartridge holders. This Thorens TP160 arm can accommodate all mid-range and high-end MM and MC cartridges. 

The Thorens TD 1600/160 has XLR outputs in addition to the traditional RCA output. This output allows for true balanced operation if your phono preamplifier offers this option.

THORENS TD1600: Testing and listening

From the very first notes, you discover a magnificent balance combined with great finesse and rhythm. This TS1600 clearly favours musicality and nuance, all with remarkable tonal balance. The Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge is an excellent choice and performs well with this TD 1600. However, I would encourage you to eventually pair it with a 2M Black stylus. If you have an MC preamp, adding a low-level MC cartridge is an obvious choice. The effective mass of the arm (11g) makes it a perfect match for Ortofon's Quintet or Audio Technica's OC9 series. Of course, forget about the DL103 or other low compliance MC cartridges (below 12).

The Thorens TD 1600 has the talent to combine a vintage look with a sound that is also reminiscent of the suspended models of the 1980s, but in terms of transparency and definition, it has nothing to be ashamed of when compared to modern turntables.

This Thorens won us over with its musicality and natural sound.

Certainly one of Thorens' best products in the last 30 years!

Our favourite.