Thorens TD 1600 Turntable

This review is of the Thorens TD 1600 model. The TD 1601 Turntable uses an automatic arm lift and adds $500 to the manual TD 1600’s $2999/incl. tonearm MSRP. The 1601 is identical to the 1600 except for the auto lift function.

The TD 1600 is the latest turntable from the venerable Swiss manufacturer—since 2018, located in Germany with manufacturing in Taiwan. The Thorens seminal TD 150 sub-chassis sprung turntable was introduced in 1963 and became the early benchmark for sprung suspension turntables.

I admit to being fascinated with sprung turntables and their effectiveness. Of course, the physics accompanying three independent “identical” springs with a heavy flat weight on top with a delicate cartridge trying to ride out all the interference adds to the fascination. In this design, Thorens and Ariston led, then Linn built on the design and made the damn thing a legend. The Linn LP12 Sondek is still breaking sales records with great sound, mystique, the never-ending “upgrades” and is catnip for many vinylphiles. Sure, I admit to a little Linn lust myself, who hasn’t? Then you see the jig used for professional adjustment only, and the many stories of Linns needing fine-tuning, and we leave the dream state. Quickly. But the mystique remains.

Lucky for audiophiles, Thorens, under its new leadership, has reintroduced its sprung design, but with a root and branch change to the original. Et voila, the TD 1600 and 1601. Manna and catnip with a robust design and reasonable price ($2999/incl. tonearm).

A thank you to my friend Austin of Atlas Audio Video here in Victoria for arranging the unit for review.

A picture is worth…

Features and Specifications

Thorens suspends its sub-chassis with 3 conical springs that make the sub-chassis bounce. Please refer to our video, “A Tale of Two Turntables” we filmed recently to see a demo of the Thorens’ super-controlled suspension. The springs sit on the bottom and a tightened steel thread connects the sub-chassis with a steel pin helping to eliminate staggering. It only allows vertical movement. Very important if the design is to work effectively.

Considering the $2999 price, Thorens adds an outboard speed controller unit. The electronically controlled and stabilized AC synchronous motor gives you 33-1/3 and 45 rpm. Speed is adjustable via pots on the rear panel of the ‘table.

TD 1600 with outboard speed controller.

The 1600 is a belt drive turntable with adjustable belt tension. Also considering the price, you get both XLR and RCA outputs. From the chassis, plinth, platter, sub-platter, rear panel, superior tone arm and many features, the TD 1600 is beautifully made and presented. The ‘table works best on a perfectly level, solid surface; its ingenious suspension eliminates the need for lots of bells and whistles in the support department. Simple is best. The feet are height adjustable.

The gorgeous TD 1600 will take pride of place in your stereo system.

Rear panel. The TD 1600 is also available in high gloss black.

Included in the price is the 9” TP 92 Tonearm. It’s a well-travelled, very fine tonearm. For the review, we used the Goldring Ethos MC Cartridge ($1499) which is a superb match to the arm.

The arm has an anti-resonance ring about halfway along the damped aluminum tube. Anti-skating and VTA are set easily and the TP 92 comes with a beefed-up counterweight so you can rock carts over 11 grams.

The tolerances on the 1600 are very tight. The platter comes in two parts and getting the large outer ring off takes some doing. Tight like a tiger.

Two part platter is attached.

With the outer ring removed showing the sub-platter, belt and belt spindle.

Function: manual turntable with sub-chassis
Drive system: Belt, sub-platter aluminum
Motor: electronically controlled and stabilized AC synchronous motor 33-1/3, 45 rpm
Platter: 12“ / 4,2 kg (aluminum)
Anti-Skating: magnetic
Dimensions: 454 x 180 x 369 mm (W x H x D)Weight
Weight: 11 kg
Finishes: solid wooden plinth, black high gloss, walnut high gloss, top board made of TriCom with an acrylic dust cover included

Sound

The isolation provided by the springs makes listening a silky-black experience. Insofar as physics and interference, Thorens engineers have cracked it. Any complaints about the turntable will not be from a dark and lovely soundstage with an ability to pinpoint instrumental and vocal images. This ‘table and arm will be able to be maxed out with high-quality, low-output MC cartridges. Maybe not a Goldfinger or an Air Tight Coda, but you get the drift. As such, the TD 1600 and its fine arm will last the test of time, especially with no Linn-like “upgrades” in the offing.

Except for a little fullness around the waistline, the 1600 portrays music in a well-balanced fashion. At times, I could have used a little more thrift in the midrange. It sometimes gilds the lily with a ripe string section or throatiness from singers. Would a more refined cartridge change alleviate this? This is my only complaint about a $2999 turntable that mostly delivers the goods.

In comparison, the Thorens showed off its dynamism and timbral accuracy when compared with the slightly inhibited, cheaper Dual CS 618Q Manual HiFi Turntable. So, Stravinsky’s The Firebird (Dorati/LSO/Mercury reissue) jumped off the vinyl anytime the Russian folk tale got sexy or gory. And with the ‘table’s timbral accuracy, all the LSO stars from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s sounded spot on; Barry Tuckwell's horn, Gervase de Peyer on clarinet, Denis Wick's trombone and Roger Lord on oboe. This record gives me important tells about a turntable’s overall ability to portray outlandish dynamics, ultra-quiet detail and the aforementioned solo turns.

We played Lyle Lovett’s new album 12th of June with its big band opener “Cookin’ at the Continental”. The punch and drive were enviable and the quality of the players shone through. Lovett does what all great musicians do, surrounds himself with excellence. His new album is no different.

We threw on Aja because it’s Aja. “Peg” was absolutely beautiful on the Analogue Recording reissue with drums and bass separated, fabulous horns and Michael McDonald’s multi-tracked background vocals studio clear. What I enjoyed so much about the Thorens was its ability to rock out when needed but retained enough delicacy and sophistication in fine classical repertoire.

An example of this is Strauss Waltzes with Reiner and Chicago. A great RCA LP. The opening “Wiener Blut” (“Vienna Blood”) has a magical opening with trilling violins, block brass chords and woodwinds emphasizing the rhythm. This colourful opening was diminished on the Dual but sounded almost perfect on the 1600. Lots of air in and around the instruments and the bloom of Chicago’s Symphony Hall helped all the players sound their best.

A more important comparison was accomplished in a previous to these review sessions where we played a lot of repertoire of all genres in a long afternoon of listening on a Rega 8 Turntable. This Rega fanboy was happy-go-lucky enjoying the sound and the looks of Rega’s new house skeleton style. My buddy, who had purchased the 1600 told me of the Thoren’s prowess. We threw it in the mix. I was shocked. The Thorens bettered the Rega in just about every way—more lively, more dynamic and with more accurate timbre. Same amps, pre, phono, etc, just a different cartridge. So take it for what it’s worth, but it was not subtle. And if I was ready to buy that day, the afternoon’s session would have confirmed a win for the Thorens TD 1600.

Summary

In this internet/YouTube age of disposable audio reviews—5-minute videos or 1000 words on a $20,000 amplifier—it’s nice to sit down and get into the nitty gritty of a product. My only gripe was the slightly chunky monkey midrange, and this was only on classical repertoire—it was dynamite on Lovett, Steely Dan and others. With your musical sensitivities, you may not even hear it. As always, best to listen before you buy. But, I think you’re in for a very pleasant surprise. The TD 1600 continues the fine Thorens heritage with a well-made, good-looking, fine-sounding turntable with an advanced suspension and the excellent TP 92 Tonearm. For $2999, the Thorens TD 1600 is a no-brainer for purchase.

Further information: Thorens