Buying a Thorens TD160! What to check before I take the plunge?

[gadget73]

remove the outer platter before moving it. Makes it mostly a non-issue. I got lucky with mine. The platter was sitting loose on it, pretty sure thats why the arm rest was busted, and I'm certain its where the scratches on the inside of the dust cover came from. I'm frankly amazed it didn't do any further damage.

 

[Toblerone]

Hi guys,

I have decided to go-ahead and buy a Thorens TD160. There are a couple in my local area in the $700-$1000 range that I can inspect first before I buy. I have done a bit of reading and know about the usual suspects to check (that the spindle isn't wobbly, that the motor is quiet), but is there anything else specifically that I should be looking for? I notice a lot of TD160's that I see online do not have the protection bar just above the spindle, would you guys shy away from a model that doesn't have this in place? When we are looking at the motor, should it be dead quiet or is a little rumble ok? Finally, is purchasing from eBay sight unseen too much of a gamble if these local ones don't work out?

Thanks!
Andrew

Those prices seem a bit high to me. I wouldn't pay that much for a stock 160. But, maybe that's the market now.

As for the motor protection rod, Dave at vinyl Nirvana sells them, or at least did at one point. Further, I second the suggestion, check out Vinyl Nirvana. No affiliation, but I trust the tables he sells.

(Edit: @ageis1 are they 160 super's? What arms and carts are included.)

 

[JDJX]

I got mine in the early days of the vinyl revival
It was from a a pawn shop that had an e-Bay listing for it.and my bid "won" it.
I took a chance on in it as I am long time Thorens fan

 

[Ilikevinyl]

I think the days of those kinds of deals being abundant are long gone, sadly. I got into vintage gear too late! lol.

OP, I would not hesitate to buy a Thorens without the motor protection rod (and you might even be able to add one IIRC) - just make sure the motor spindle is straight, and be careful not to whack it with the platter in your own use!

Yeah, thank goodness I started collecting records back then. When I saw the Thorens on the shelve from a distance I thought it was a cheap turntable. Then I see it's a Thorens TD-160! Couldn't believe what I was seeing and that cheap price too!

 

[Taketheflame]

Yeah, thank goodness I started collecting records back then. When I saw the Thorens on the shelve from a distance I thought it was a cheap turntable. Then I see it's a Thorens TD-160! Couldn't believe what I was seeing and that cheap price too!

I started collecting records about 14 years ago now. Unfortunately, I had zero clue about what a good turntable was or that I could find one for cheap back then! But I guess hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

At least I've found some pretty good gear without paying completely insane prices in this market. And I've managed to luck out on some "old school" deals for 3-head cassette decks.

Still think the OP will have to spend a lot more money on something new to beat a TD-160. Though $1K is getting into stock TD-125 territory for my local market.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

I started collecting records about 14 years ago now. Unfortunately, I had zero clue about what a good turntable was or that I could find one for cheap back then! But I guess hindsight is 20/20 as they say.

At least I've found some pretty good gear without paying completely insane prices in this market. And I've managed to luck out on some "old school" deals for 3-head cassette decks.

Still think the OP will have to spend a lot more money on something new to beat a TD-160. Though $1K is getting into stock TD-125 territory for my local market.

With the Thorens tweaked, they really sound awesome! Have my TD-160 tweaked with Jelco tonearm, Dynamat underneath top plate. Made 1/2" plywood bottom cover. Sounds WAY better than stock!