The Thorens TD 1601 at a Glance
The Thorens TD 1601 is a refined expression of the design philosophy that has defined Thorens since 1883. It is a suspended, sub-chassis belt drive turntable that keeps the platter and tonearm isolated from the outside world on a floating sub-chassis, so footfalls, shelf vibration and motor noise are kept away from the stylus in the groove. This is classic Thorens engineering brought thoroughly up to date, and it is aimed at the listener who wants a serious, quiet, musically honest front end.
Suspended Sub-Chassis Belt Drive
At the heart of the TD 1601 is a suspended sub-chassis carrying the platter bearing and tonearm as a single isolated unit. An electronically controlled AC motor drives the platter by belt, which mechanically decouples the motor from the spinning record. The result is a low noise floor and a fluid, unforced sense of pitch stability at both 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Speed selection is electronic, so you change speeds at the touch of a control rather than moving the belt by hand.
The TP 92 Tonearm
The TD 1601 is fitted with the Thorens TP 92 tonearm, a well regarded arm from the Thorens TP series. It gives you the precision and adjustability needed to get the most from a high quality cartridge, which matters because the TD 1601 does not include a cartridge. That is by design. It lets the owner choose the cartridge that best suits their taste and system rather than paying for one that may not stay on the deck for long.
Electronic Cueing and External Power Supply
Convenience is handled thoughtfully. The TD 1601 offers electronic auto lift and lower along with a powered lift, so the arm can be raised and lowered gently and reliably at the end of a side. Power comes from an external power supply, which keeps that part of the electronics away from the sensitive signal path and the platter.
Balanced XLR Output
One of the features that distinguishes the TD 1601 within the range is its output section. It provides balanced XLR output in addition to unbalanced RCA. A moving coil cartridge produces a naturally balanced signal, so a true balanced XLR connection into a compatible phono stage can help preserve the low level detail and reject noise over the run to your preamplifier. If you are building a fully balanced analog chain, this is a meaningful advantage.
Where the TD 1601 Sits in the Thorens Range
Thorens offers several distinct approaches, and choosing among them comes down to design goal and use case rather than any one being superior.
The Thorens TD 1500 and the Thorens TD 1600 share the same suspended belt drive family DNA. Within this range the TD 1601 sits a step above the TD 1600, adding the balanced XLR output and its electronic cueing and powered lift, so it is the natural choice for a listener who values that connectivity and convenience alongside the suspended sub-chassis performance.
If you prefer direct drive, Thorens has that too. The Thorens TD 403 DD and Thorens TD 404 DD use direct drive motors for a more plug and play character, while the Thorens TD 124 DD is a modern reinterpretation of the celebrated 1957 TD 124, also available as the Thorens TD 124 DD Exclusive. Those direct drive decks are a different engineering path with their own appeal. The TD 1601 is for the listener drawn to the isolation and quiet of a floating, belt driven suspended sub-chassis.
How It Sounds and Who It Is For
The TD 1601 has the composed, low noise presentation you expect from a well executed suspended belt drive. Because the sub-chassis floats, the music emerges from a quiet background with stable pitch and a natural sense of flow. It rewards careful cartridge selection and a resolving system, making it ideal for the dedicated two channel listener who plays a lot of records and wants their front end to disappear.
If you are cross shopping, the Luxman PD-151 Mark II and its Centennial Edition take a mass loaded approach, and the MoFi MasterDeck offers its own take on isolation. The Dual CS 718Q and the MoFi PrecisionDeck Fender Limited Edition speak to different priorities again. The TD 1601 stands apart for its suspended sub-chassis design and its balanced XLR output.
Cartridge and System Pairings
Since the TD 1601 arrives without a cartridge, this is where you tailor the sound. The TP 92 arm can support a range of excellent moving coil cartridges. The Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze and the flagship Ortofon MC Cadenza Black are superb matches for a deck of this caliber, as is the Audio Technica AT-ART20 dual moving coil. The Luxman LMC-5 moving coil is another refined option worth an audition.
To take advantage of the balanced XLR output, pair the TD 1601 with a capable phono stage. The Parasound JC3+, also offered in a limited Silver edition, offers balanced inputs and outputs and is a natural companion. The Luxman E-250 is another beautifully voiced choice. For the amplification, the Yamaha RX-A8A gives you a flexible, powerful hub to build the rest of your system around.
Arrange a Listen
All Elite Audio is an authorized Thorens dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Our demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so please contact AEA to arrange a listen to the TD 1601 and to talk through the cartridge and system that will suit you best.