Thorens TD 1601

Overview

The Thorens TD 1601 is a suspended sub-chassis belt-drive turntable and the feature-rich sibling of the TD 1600. It carries the same acoustically decoupled sub-chassis and belt-drive philosophy Thorens has refined since 1883, adding electronic convenience and true balanced connectivity for listeners who want a hands-off, high-resolution analog front end.

Its suspended sub-chassis isolates the platter and tonearm from motor and structural vibration, allowing the precision-machined TP 92 tonearm to trace grooves with stability and low coloration. The TD 1601 layers in an electronic auto lift and lower and a powered cueing lift, protecting your stylus and record at the end of each side. Uniquely at this level, it offers both RCA and true balanced XLR outputs, letting you exploit the low-noise advantages of a balanced signal path when paired with a suitable phono stage.

This deck ships without a cartridge so you can tailor its character to your taste and system. It suits the analog enthusiast who values Swiss-heritage engineering, mechanical isolation, and the added ease of automated cueing without sacrificing the sonic transparency of a serious belt-drive design.

Key Features

• Suspended sub-chassis belt-drive design for effective isolation from motor and structural vibration
• Thorens TP 92 precision tonearm engineered for stable, low-coloration tracking
• Electronic auto lift and lower protects stylus and record at the end of each side
• Powered cueing lift for gentle, repeatable cueing
• True balanced XLR outputs in addition to standard RCA outputs
• External power supply keeps electrical noise away from the signal path
• 33 and 45 RPM operation with electronic speed control
• Ships without a cartridge so the owner can select their preferred pickup
• Swiss-heritage Thorens engineering, now German owned, with authorized dealer support

How the TD 1601 Compares

Thorens TD 1601 vs Thorens TD 1600

The TD 1600 shares the identical suspended sub-chassis belt drive and TP 92 tonearm, so its core sound is the same. The TD 1601 adds electronic auto lift and lower, a powered lift, and balanced XLR outputs alongside RCA. Choose the TD 1600 for a purist manual approach, or the TD 1601 if you want automated cueing convenience and a balanced connection option. See the Thorens TD 1600.

Thorens TD 1601 vs Thorens TD 1500

The TD 1500 is a more accessible suspended belt-drive Thorens with a lighter feature set. The TD 1601 steps up with the higher TP 92 tonearm, powered cueing automation, and true balanced XLR output. Consider the TD 1500 for a streamlined entry into Thorens suspension design and the TD 1601 for the fuller, more automated flagship experience. See the Thorens TD 1500.

Thorens TD 1601 vs Luxman PD-151 Mark II

The Luxman PD-151 Mark II is a non-suspended belt-drive design with a rigid, mass-loaded character and its own tonearm philosophy. The Thorens TD 1601 pursues isolation through its floating sub-chassis and adds automated cueing plus balanced output. Pick the Luxman for a solid plinth aesthetic and the Thorens for suspended isolation with hands-off convenience. See the Luxman PD-151 Mark II.

Recommended Cartridge, Phono Stage and Amplifier

The TD 1601 ships without a cartridge, so start with a pickup, then complete the chain with a phono stage that can exploit its balanced output and an amplifier to drive it.

• Ortofon MC Cadenza Blue This refined moving coil is a natural match for the TP 92 tonearm, delivering detailed, well-balanced sound that suits the resolving character of the suspended sub-chassis deck.
• Audio Technica AT-ART9XI A dual moving coil with excellent clarity and value, giving the TD 1601 an articulate, low-noise voice that pairs well with a quality phono stage.
• TEAC PE-505 Balanced Phono Amplifier Its fully balanced topology makes ideal use of the TD 1601 true balanced XLR output, preserving the lowest possible noise floor from a moving coil cartridge.
• Luxman E-250 Phono Preamplifier A flexible MM and MC phono stage with quiet, musical presentation that complements the resolving nature of the sub-chassis deck and your chosen cartridge.
• Yamaha A-S1200 Integrated Amplifier This capable integrated with a dedicated phono input provides clean power and a natural tonal balance, forming a complete, well-matched system around the TD 1601.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Thorens TD 1601 come with a cartridge?
No. The TD 1601 ships without a cartridge so the owner can select the pickup that best suits their taste and system.

What is the difference between the TD 1601 and the TD 1600?
They share the same suspended sub-chassis belt drive and TP 92 tonearm. The TD 1601 adds an electronic auto lift and lower, a powered lift, and balanced XLR outputs alongside RCA.

What tonearm does the TD 1601 use?
It uses the Thorens TP 92 tonearm, a precision arm engineered for stable, low-coloration tracking.

Is the TD 1601 a belt drive or direct drive turntable?
It is a suspended sub-chassis belt-drive turntable, a design Thorens has long refined for effective vibration isolation.

What is a sub-chassis or suspended design?
A suspended sub-chassis floats the platter and tonearm on a decoupled subframe, isolating them from motor and structural vibration for cleaner playback.

Does the TD 1601 have balanced XLR outputs?
Yes. It offers true balanced XLR outputs in addition to standard unbalanced RCA outputs.

Why would I use the balanced XLR output?
A balanced connection can reject noise across the signal path, which is especially useful with low-output moving coil cartridges and a balanced-capable phono stage.

What speeds does the TD 1601 support?
It plays records at 33 1/3 and 45 RPM with electronic speed selection.

Does the TD 1601 have automatic cueing?
Yes. It features an electronic auto lift and lower plus a powered lift to protect your stylus and record at the end of a side.

Does it use an external power supply?
Yes. The TD 1601 uses an external power supply to help keep electrical noise away from the signal path.

What type of cartridge should I pair with it?
The TP 92 tonearm works well with quality moving coil cartridges. Options like the Ortofon MC Cadenza Blue or Audio Technica AT-ART9XI are strong matches.

What phono stage do you recommend?
For balanced operation the TEAC PE-505 is ideal, while the Luxman E-250 is an excellent flexible MM and MC choice.

What amplifier pairs well with the TD 1601?
The Yamaha A-S1200 integrated amplifier with a dedicated phono input forms a clean, well-matched system around the deck.

Is the TD 1601 suitable for serious listeners?
Yes. Its suspended isolation, TP 92 tonearm, and balanced output make it well suited to the dedicated analog enthusiast.

Can I upgrade the cartridge later?
Yes. Because it ships without a cartridge, you can fit and later upgrade to the pickup that best matches your evolving system.

How does the TD 1601 compare to the Luxman PD-151 Mark II?
The Luxman is a rigid, mass-loaded belt drive, while the TD 1601 isolates through a floating sub-chassis and adds automated cueing and balanced output. They offer different design characters for different preferences.

Does the TD 1601 include a dust cover?
Yes. A dust cover is included to protect the deck and cartridge when not in use.

Is Thorens a reputable turntable maker?
Yes. Thorens was founded in Switzerland in 1883, is now German owned, and specializes in turntables with a long heritage of belt-drive and suspension engineering.

What warranty does the TD 1601 carry?
Thorens provides a two year parts and labor warranty to the original owner through authorized dealers.

Why buy from All Elite Audio?
All Elite Audio is an authorized Thorens dealer in MD, so your TD 1601 is genuine, fully warranted, and supported by expert setup guidance and honest system advice.