THORENS TD160 vs TD160 MKII

[South3rn]

I can't seem to find out what the differences are.
And most importantly I can't seem to find out what is better, which is different than "different".

Anybody know?

 

[dean man jim]

The preferable model is reportedly the (first generation) TD160 because its platter bearing has a (superior) captured sintered bronze ball as opposed to just a spherical tip, and the reportedly superior TP16 Mk I arm. Apparently there was a "second generation" TD 160 MK I, that lost the captured ball but retained the 10mm bearing (as opposed to the skinnier 7 mm bearing on later models).

From a more lengthy discussion, go here and scroll about halfway down the page: http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-EntryLevel.html

Jim

 

[vtomike]

Their is also the TD160 super.

 

[South3rn]

Thanks Jim. That is one thing I have learned in life. The second one is not "always" the best one.
Yeah, Mike. I know about the Super. Not many around and expensive (From my POV), of course.

Now all I have to do is decide between what I consider to be overpriced Dual CS5000s and the TD 160.
Decisions, decisions............. LOL!

 

[Br1ck]

Lots of good info here:

http://www.vinylnirvana.com/

Dave has refurbished turntables for sale as well as helpful links to much Thorens info.

The 160 ii has the TP16 ii arm, the 160 super has the TP16iii arm. Which is better depends on what cartridge you want to run. Many fit Rega arms to their Thorens tables as a perceived upgrade.

I'm waiting for the 147 to arrive, which is a 160 super with auto shut off.

 

[REDone]

and then there's the Phonosophie No3 with a selection of arms

they don't exactly say its a thorens but you only have to look

www.phonosophie.com

 

[audioflyer]

and then there's the Phonosophie No3 with a selection of arms

they don't exactly say its a thorens but you only have to look

www.phonosophie.com

Only the hinges and lid are the same as the TD2001/TD3001.

Do a search for "phonosophie tp90" you may find my turntable and some info
I put up on another forum.

Audioflyer.

 

[chadbang]

The preferable model is reportedly the (first generation) TD160 because its platter bearing has a (superior) captured sintered bronze ball as opposed to just a spherical tip, and the reportedly superior TP16 Mk I arm. Apparently there was a "second generation" TD 160 MK I, that lost the captured ball but retained the 10mm bearing (as opposed to the skinnier 7 mm bearing on later models).

From a more lengthy discussion, go here and scroll about halfway down the page: http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-EntryLevel.html

Jim

Unfortunately, this information seen elsewhere (no inflection on the good intention's of dean man jim's post), is not patently correct. There are posts in other forums where owners describe having the sintered ball bearing bearing on their Thorens TD160MKII. I first read this same misinformation on Arthur Salvatore's indispensable website as a reader contribution:


"The bearing shaft of the more recent TD160-mkI is slightly longer and no longer has the ball, but a spherical tip instead, and is still of the 10mm diameter type. With the TD160-mkII, the 7mm bearing shaft comes into view and this is not a change for the good. The heavy platter has a tendency to sink in time because the 7mm shaft hasn't enough "grip" to hold the platter on the correct height. The 145-mkII is mostly fitted with the 10mm shaft but has a resin inner-platter instead of the metal (Zamac) one of the TD160. The TD160-Super has the 10mm shaft and a heavier plinth and bottomplate. The 160B is equal but has no tonearm but a modified subchassis and armboard ready to fit a SME."




For a long time, I avoided the TD160 only to find out this information is incorrect. The statement here amends that to the MK1 of the TD160, but I have researched the subject and many TD160MII owners report having the 10mm spindle and the captured bearing on their table. My own table included, which was manufactured for Europe. Who knows, maybe the Americas got the shaft (bad joke). My thought on the subject is that Thorens continued to use what they had that far into the line and that the changeover to a small shaft and plain tip was a progressive rather than absolute production change. So if you are buying a TD160, certainly inquire as to what bearing your platter has before you discount the table as having an inferior bearing, because MANY people have the heftier bearings in their tables stretching into the TD160MKII,

Anyway, here's the best course of action. LOOK at the table and see what's there!

 

[ddarch]

My thought on the subject is that Thorens continued to use what they had that far into the line and that the changeover to a small shaft and plain tip was a progressive rather than absolute production change. So if you are buying a TD160, certainly inquire as to what bearing your platter has before you discount the table as having an inferior bearing, because MANY people have the heftier bearings in their tables stretching into the TD160MKII, Anyway, here's the best course of action. LOOK at the table and see what's there!

Dead on the money. Between Thorens being a thrifty company that used parts into the next production run, these tables have been around long enough that previous owners have swapped things in and out. Working on Thorens from this period every day, I literally NEVER know what I'm gonna find when I unpack a table.

I would say the 160 MKIIs out there with metal 10MM shaft drive platters are right up there in sonic quality with the 160 MKIs, though the effective mass of the tonearm on each should be taken into account for cartridge selection to get the most out of them.