Thorens TD 1600 (TP 92) Turntable, Walnut

The Thorens TD 1600 is a manual high-end subchassis turntable with belt drive, TP 92 tonearm and balanced XLR outputs — without cartridge, in high-gloss walnut.

It's the direct reinterpretation of the legendary TD 160 from the 1970s: classic wooden plinth, split platter with an inner-running belt, thick rubber mat, acrylic dust cover. Tradition on the outside, 21st century on the inside.

Why the TD 1600?

Because Thorens has rethought the subchassis principle here. The three conical springs no longer hang from the top board — they stand on the base plate, and the subchassis rests on them. A tensioned steel thread prevents lateral wobble and allows only clean, piston-like vertical movement, even at start-up, when the belt pulls hardest. The heavy 4.2 kg aluminum platter and the fully electronically controlled AC synchronous motor deliver speed stability you no longer have to think about. The TP 92 with magnetic anti-skating tracks precisely — you choose the cartridge yourself.

What you hear

Silence as the foundation. The isolation of this subchassis is so good that you can knock on the table without the needle flinching — footfall and feedback simply find no way in. On top of that, the music builds: calm, deeply layered, with the effortlessness that characterizes heavy turntables. Anyone running balanced via the XLR outputs and an MC cartridge extracts the last layer of fine resolution.

Who is the TD 1600 for?

For listeners who want a turntable for life and choose their own cartridge — swapped in minutes thanks to the SME connection on the TP 92. Ideal for acoustic music, jazz and classical, where the subchassis's black silence counts for the most.

Plain talk: The TD 1600 is consistently manual — no lift motor, no auto-stop; you lift the arm yourself at the end of the record. And: never touch the armboard while cueing, or the subchassis will start swaying. Honestly: if you listen to rock on the side and want operating convenience, you're better served by the TD 1601 with electric lift, or a non-suspended turntable.

Our verdict

The TD 1600 brings back the DNA of the TD 160 and lifts it sonically to today's level — a subchassis turntable you no longer want to replace, only feed with good systems. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we set springs, tracking force and anti-skating precisely and find the cartridge that suits your music.

Technical data

• Function: manual high-end subchassis turntable
• Drive: belt drive, inner-running ground flat belt
• Motor: fully electronically controlled AC synchronous motor, decoupled from the subchassis
• Speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, electronically switchable
• Subchassis: three conical springs (floor-standing), steel-thread stabilization
• Platter: 12 inch, aluminum, 4.2 kg, split
• Tonearm: Thorens TP 92, SME connection
• Anti-skating: magnetic
• Cartridge: not included
• Outputs: RCA and balanced (XLR)
• Power supply: external power supply with power cable
• Finish: high-gloss walnut (real wood plinth)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 454 × 180 × 369 mm
• Weight: 10.9 kg
• Included: turntable, external power supply with power cable, dust cover

Frequently asked questions

Does the Thorens TD 1600 come with a cartridge?

No. The TD 1600 deliberately comes without a cartridge so you can choose freely. The TP 92 tonearm with SME connection fits many MM and MC cartridges. We'll advise you on the right combination and, on request, mount and adjust the cartridge for you at our Wädenswil location.

What's the difference between the TD 1600 and TD 1601?

Technically both are built identically — same subchassis, same drive, same arm. The TD 1601 additionally offers an electric tonearm lift at the push of a button and a contactless auto-stop. The TD 1600 is the purist, purely manual sibling — cheaper, but without the convenience automation.

Why does the TD 1600 have XLR outputs?

Combined with an MC cartridge and a balanced phono stage, they enable true balanced operation — less susceptible to interference, finer in resolution. Standard RCA outputs are also available. We're happy to help you work out which variant suits your chain.

Do I need to be careful with the subchassis on the TD 1600?

Yes, a little: because the platter and arm are spring-decoupled, you shouldn't press down on the armboard when cueing, or the subchassis will start moving. In return, the decoupling from footfall and rumble is nearly perfect — a fair trade.

Why buy the Thorens TD 1600 at HD Zürisee?

Because a suspended subchassis only shows its full potential after careful setup — springs, tracking force, anti-skating. That's exactly what we do. Our technician delivers, sets it up at your home on request, and remains your contact afterward too, straight from Wädenswil.

Goes well with

You'll find the right cartridge in our cartridge selection, and for balanced operation a phono preamp. More from Thorens or browse all turntables.