Thorens TD 1601 — Suspended Subchassis Mastery, Refined
The TD 1601 is Thorens' definitive modern belt-drive table: a semi-automatic, spring-suspended subchassis design that isolates your stylus from the outside world with engineering precision, then gets out of the way and lets your records breathe.
Suspension Done Right The subchassis sits on three conical springs filled with resonance-absorbing foam, mounted from below rather than hanging from the top plate. A tensioned steel thread connects the subchassis to the base, preventing lateral staggering and restricting movement to vertical only — solving the classic "porch glider" drift problem that plagued earlier suspended designs. The isolation is exceptional: the outside world simply doesn't reach the stylus.
The TP 160 Tonearm Developed by renowned designer Helmut Thiele, the TP 160 features an ultra-precise knife-edge bearing in a J-shaped 9" aluminum tube with an SME headshell connection, taking its inspiration from classic studio tonearms. The horizontal bearing blade is additionally stabilized by magnets for the most precise tracking. A split counterweight accommodates a wide range of cartridges, from lightweight MM to demanding MC designs.
Drive and Power The two-part machined 4.2 kg aluminum platter is driven by an internally run ground drive belt. The external linear TPN 1600 power supply, equipped with a high-performance toroidal transformer, feeds the synchronous motor with 2x 16V to ensure the highest possible rotational stability. Keeping the power supply outboard eliminates transformer noise from the signal path entirely.
Smart, Stylus-Saving Automation An opto-electronically triggered end switch stops the platter and lifts the arm automatically when the needle reaches the end of the LP. One-touch speed selection and an electric tonearm lift round out the controls — convenience features that don't cost you anything sonically.
Connectivity Balanced XLR outputs and standard RCA outputs are both on board. The XLR connection is genuinely balanced — particularly valuable for MC cartridge users with a balanced phono stage. No cartridge is included, leaving the choice entirely to you.
Winner of the EISA Award for Best Turntable 2020–2021. Acrylic dust cover and external power supply included.
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