THORENS TD160

Pre owned. In good condition. Shows signs of wear on the plinth and dust cover. Includes Thorens TP16 tonearm and Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge, without original packaging.

The Thorens TD 160 is one of the most iconic and highly regarded belt-drive turntables in hi-fi history, produced from 1972 at the EMT factory in Lahr, Germany, during a period of significant hi-fi market expansion. It represents the evolution of a long-standing engineering tradition established by Thorens since the early 20th century and quickly became a benchmark model thanks to its combination of accessibility, build quality, and audiophile-level sound performance.

It features a minimal yet highly refined design, where every element contributes to stability and precision in playback. The 300 mm zinc die-cast platter, weighing 3.2 kg, provides high inertia for consistent rotation at both 33 and 45 RPM, while the 16-pole AC synchronous motor minimizes speed fluctuations. The result is smooth, controlled playback, supported by a 50 dB signal-to-noise ratio that ensures a quiet background capable of revealing even the subtlest details and delicate dynamics of analog recordings.

Fully manual operation reflects a design philosophy focused on direct listening control, a feature highly appreciated by vinyl enthusiasts. The understated aesthetics, often featuring a solid wooden plinth, convey a sense of robustness and reliability while integrating elegantly into any hi-fi system.

Technically, the turntable uses a belt drive paired with a floating sub-chassis suspended on three adjustable springs, a solution derived from suspension designs developed in previous years. This system allows the platter and tonearm to be rigidly coupled to each other while isolated from the outer plinth, significantly reducing vibrations and feedback. The balanced mass distribution and low center of gravity further enhance system stability and quiet operation, improving overall playback fidelity.

Thanks to its wide distribution and high build quality, the TD 160 remains easily available on the second-hand market, where it continues to be considered a reference model. When properly maintained, it demonstrates extraordinary longevity, delivering a listening experience that preserves the charm and precision of 1970s high-end hi-fi.

Thorens TP16

The Thorens TP16 is one of the most representative tonearms of the golden age of analog hi-fi, introduced in the 1970s to complement some of the brand’s most prestigious turntables and becoming a benchmark for reliability and sonic consistency. It features a solid, precise construction designed to ensure operational stability and ease of adjustment, making it accessible even for those seeking an accurate setup without unnecessary complexity.

Its magnetic antiskating system helps maintain balanced groove tracking, improving overall performance and reducing distortion during playback. The tonearm pairs particularly well with medium-mass moving-magnet cartridges, offering a balanced and versatile performance across different setups.

Sonically, it delivers well-articulated and controlled bass, without the extreme depth typical of modern high-mass tonearms. The midrange is natural and detailed, highlighting voices and acoustic instrument nuances, while the treble is clean and pleasant, slightly softened at the highest frequencies for fatigue-free listening. The soundstage offers good lateral width, providing a convincing spatial reconstruction, although with less depth compared to top-tier models. Overall, it produces a musical and precise sound, well-suited for genres such as rock, jazz, folk, and pop, making it a reliable choice for an engaging analog experience.

Audio-Technica AT-VM95E

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95E is the direct evolution of one of the most popular cartridges in analog listening history, inheriting the legacy of the AT95E and incorporating design improvements from the more recent models in the series. It features a refreshed, distinctive design with a more rigid body to reduce unwanted resonances, resulting in cleaner, more controlled playback.

The cartridge body includes two threaded inserts for direct mounting on a headshell or integrated tonearm using simple screws, eliminating the need for nuts and making installation more convenient. The VM95 series also allows for modularity: the stylus alone can be replaced when worn, without purchasing a full cartridge, while also allowing upgrades with different compatible stylus profiles.

Equipped with a bonded elliptical stylus, it follows groove modulation more accurately than conical designs, improving frequency and phase response while reducing distortion. The aluminum cantilever ensures lightness and rigidity, and the 4.0 mV output level makes it compatible with most moving-magnet phono inputs.

Its wide frequency response, from 20 to 22,000 Hz, delivers balanced playback across the sonic spectrum, providing clear and versatile sound. Compatibility with all VM95 stylus assemblies makes this cartridge a flexible, long-lasting solution, suitable for both newcomers to vinyl and those seeking a solid foundation for a high-quality analog system.

Technical Specifications – Thorens TD160

• Drive type: belt drive
• Motor: 16-pole AC synchronous
• Speeds: 33 and 45 RPM
• Operation: manual
• Platter: 300 mm zinc die-cast; 3.2 kg
• Suspension: 3-spring floating sub-chassis
• Wow and flutter: 0.04%
• Rumble: 50 dB; -48 dB unweighted; -68 dB weighted
• Dimensions: approx. 430 × 360 × 150 mm
• Weight: approx. 8.5 kg

Technical Specifications – Thorens TP16

• Effective length: 222 mm; pivot-to-spindle distance: 204 mm; overhang: 18.4 mm
• Antiskating: magnetic; adjustable via external counterweight on wire
• VTA: adjustable via base locking screw
• Bearings: ball bearings; micrometric tolerances
• Counterweight: decoupled with anti-vibration elements

Technical Specifications – Audio-Technica AT-VM95E

• Frequency response: 20–22,000 Hz
• Channel separation: 20 dB (1 kHz); output channel balance: 2.0 dB (1 kHz)
• Vertical tracking angle (VTA): 23°; vertical tracking force: 1.8–2.2 g (2.0 g standard)
• Stylus shape: elliptical; stylus construction: bonded round shank; cantilever: aluminum tube
• Recommended load: 47,000 Ω; coil impedance: 3.3 kΩ (1 kHz); DC resistance: 485 Ω; coil inductance: 550 mH (1 kHz)
• Output: 4.0 mV (@ 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec)
• Static compliance: 17 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne; dynamic compliance: 7 × 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne (100 Hz)
• Mounting: 1/2” centers
• Weight: 6.1 g

• Dimensions: 17.2 × 18.9 × 28.3 mm (H × W × D)