The Thorens TD 1600 at a Glance
Thorens has been building turntables in Switzerland since 1883, and the Thorens TD 1600 is a modern expression of the design philosophy the brand is most closely associated with. This is a belt drive deck built around a suspended sub-chassis, paired with the TP 92 tonearm and given the flexibility of balanced XLR output alongside traditional unbalanced RCA. It is a turntable specialist doing what it has always done best, refined for the current era.
One important note up front. The TD 1600 does not include a cartridge. It is supplied for the owner to fit the cartridge of their choosing, which is exactly what many serious listeners want since it lets you tailor the sonic signature to your taste and system.
The Design and Technology
Suspended Sub-Chassis Belt Drive
The heart of the TD 1600 is its floating suspended sub-chassis. Rather than mounting the platter and tonearm rigidly to the plinth, Thorens isolates them on a suspension so that footfalls, structural vibration, and airborne energy are decoupled from the record playing surface. This is the classic Thorens approach and it is one of the reasons the name carries such weight among analog enthusiasts.
Drive comes from an AC motor with electronic control, turning the platter by belt at 33 and 45 RPM. Belt drive keeps the motor's mechanical activity a step removed from the platter, and the external power supply moves that source of noise and electrical activity outside the plinth entirely. Every part of the design is arranged to let the stylus read the groove without interference.
The TP 92 Tonearm
The TD 1600 carries the Thorens TP 92 tonearm, part of the respected TP series. A capable arm is essential to getting the most from a fine cartridge, and the TP 92 gives you a stable, well engineered platform to build on. Because the deck arrives without a cartridge, the arm is ready to be matched to whatever you choose to mount.
Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA Output
A standout feature of the TD 1600 is its dual output. It offers balanced XLR connection as well as conventional unbalanced RCA. A moving coil cartridge produces a genuinely balanced signal at the source, so running it through a true balanced connection into a phono stage with XLR inputs can preserve that signal integrity and help reject noise over the cable run. If your phono stage supports balanced input, this is a meaningful capability to have.
Sound and Performance Character
The character of a suspended belt drive Thorens tends toward a relaxed, unforced presentation with a quiet background and a natural sense of flow. The suspension's isolation lets low level detail emerge without the hardness that vibration can introduce, and the belt drive contributes to a smooth, composed sense of timing. Because you supply your own cartridge, the final voicing is very much in your hands, which is part of the appeal for listeners who like to fine tune their sound.
Where the TD 1600 Sits in the Thorens Range
Within the suspended sub-chassis belt drive family, the TD 1600 sits above the Thorens TD 1500 and shares its core philosophy with the Thorens TD 1601. The TD 1601 is the more fully featured member of this same range, so if you want to compare the two within the lineage that is the natural step up to consider.
If your preference leans instead toward direct drive, Thorens offers a separate family designed around that goal. The Thorens TD 403 DD and Thorens TD 404 DD use direct drive rather than a suspended belt system, and at the top of the direct drive offering the Thorens TD 124 DD and Thorens TD 124 DD Exclusive reinterpret the celebrated 1957 TD 124 for the modern age. These are different design goals rather than better or worse choices. The TD 1600 is for the listener who specifically wants the isolation and character of a floating suspended belt drive deck.
Building a System Around the TD 1600
Choosing a Cartridge
Since the TD 1600 is supplied without a cartridge, this is where you get to shape its voice. To take advantage of the balanced output, a moving coil design is the natural direction. The Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze and the flagship Ortofon MC Cadenza Black are both excellent matches for a deck of this caliber. The Audio Technica AT-ART20 Dual Moving Coil and the Luxman LMC-5 MC cartridge are two more strong candidates worth auditioning depending on the tonal balance you prefer.
Phono Stage
A moving coil cartridge needs a capable phono stage. The Parasound JC3+, also available in a silver limited edition, offers balanced XLR connectivity that pairs beautifully with the TD 1600's balanced output for a fully balanced signal path. The Luxman E-250 is another refined option that suits the deck's smooth, natural character.
Amplification
For a complete and versatile system, the Parasound HALO HINT6 integrated amplifier makes a tidy and capable centerpiece, giving you the power and connectivity to bring the whole chain together.
Alternatives to Consider
If you are weighing the TD 1600 against other decks in the same category, it helps to think in terms of design intent. The Luxman PD-151 Mark II and its PD-151 MKIIB Centennial Edition take a non suspended approach that some listeners prefer, while the MoFi MasterDeck Reference and the MoFi PrecisionDeck Fender Limited Edition reflect their own distinct engineering priorities. The Dual CS 718Q is another option with its own personality. The right choice comes down to the presentation and features you value, and the TD 1600 stands apart for its suspended sub-chassis isolation and balanced output.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thorens TD 1600 in brief?
Thorens has been building turntables in Switzerland since 1883, and the Thorens TD 1600 is a modern expression of the design philosophy the brand is most closely associated with. This is a belt drive deck built around a suspended sub-chassis, paired with the TP 92 tonearm and given the flexibility of balanced XLR output alongside traditional unbalanced RCA. It is a turntable specialist doing what it has always done best, refined for the current era.
Where does the Thorens TD 1600 sit in the range?
Within the suspended sub-chassis belt drive family, the TD 1600 sits above the Thorens TD 1500 and shares its core philosophy with the Thorens TD 1601 . The TD 1601 is the more fully featured member of this same range, so if you want to compare the two within the lineage that is the natural step up to consider.
Come Listen
All Elite Audio is an authorized Thorens dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up on the floor, so we encourage you to contact AEA to arrange a listen to the TD 1600 and to talk through the cartridge and system pairing that will suit you best.