Thorens has been supplying turntables since 1928, earning a reputation for their high-end audiophile designs. They are particularly renowned for their suspended sub-chassis models, first introduced with the TD 150 in 1965.
These designs dominated the market well into the 1990s.
In fact, I own a TD-160 MkII from 1983, which remains a cherished part of my hifi system.
Fast forward to the present day, and many of these classic turntables still perform admirably—provided they’re in good working order.
Our experience has shown that while the motor and sub-chassis typically hold up well, issues often arise with the cartridge, armboard, or tonearm. For example, my own TD-160 MkII had a misaligned armboard for its SME 3009 MkII tonearm. Fortunately, the fix was straightforward: less than £50 in parts and about 15 minutes of effort brought it back to peak performance.
One of our customers recently contacted us about his Thorens TD 160 Super with multiple issues.
The RCA plugs were poorly soldered, one of the tonearm pins inside the turntable was disconnected, and—my personal favorite—the cartridge tags were broken. After addressing these problems, we attempted to align the tonearm correctly. However, the grub screws had been overtightened to the point where “over-tightened” felt like an understatement. Even after resolving this, we discovered that the armboard was misaligned.
At this juncture, we discussed the situation with the customer. The cost of repairing and upgrading the existing tonearm was approaching the price of a new entry-level arm.
After considering the options, we decided on the Linn Krane—not quite entry-level, but a thoughtful choice for several reasons.
The Linn Krane is specifically designed for turntables with a suspended sub-chassis, such as the TD 160 Super. Beyond its compatibility, we were also looking to the future. The customer was curious about what might happen if the Thorens motor failed down the line. Transitioning to an LP12 became an attractive possibility, and with the Linn Krane installed, he’s already halfway there. By future-proofing his setup, the customer can continue enjoying his system for years to come, with the potential for an easy transition if needed.
The build was then finished with an Ortofon 2M Bronze, yet again a signifigant upgrade to the tired Shure cartridge that was installed.
Thorens turntables, both vintage and modern, remain a testament to quality engineering and timeless design. With the right care and upgrades, they can continue to deliver outstanding performance while paving the way for future possibilities.
If you have an old turntable that has been stored for some years and you would like to breath life back in to it, get in touch today.