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Condition: Used. Working condition is based on the source description; cosmetic condition, included accessories, and signs of use are shown in the photos.Technical Info: Model: THORENS TD-165 SPECIAL Device type: Turntable Power / Voltage: 220V Belt drive 16-pole synchronous motor Manual operation Metal straight tonearm with anti-skating Cartridge: STANTON GOLD This vintage turntable is presented in fully working condition, with the stylus stated to be in excellent condition. A working video can be provided before shipping. We provide careful international packaging and insured shipping. 🎙️ Time That Still Sounds Alive THORENS TD-165 SPECIAL brings the classic analogue ritual into your system with a wooden plinth, metal chassis, suspended subchassis construction, and fully manual control. This is the kind of turntable that makes vinyl listening feel physical, deliberate, and rewarding. 👤 If you are reading this, you probably understand You are not looking for another digital shortcut. You are looking for a real vintage record player with mechanical presence, classic controls, and the unmistakable feel of traditional hi-fi design. 🎧 What you get beyond the sound The suspended construction helps isolate the platter and tonearm assembly from the motor and main body, while the heavy cast platter and belt-drive layout support the calm, stable character vinyl enthusiasts appreciate. The included STANTON GOLD cartridge is a welcome confirmed feature for buyers who want a ready analogue setup. This model also offers the tactile pleasure that defines vintage playback: manual cueing, a proper tonearm, visible mechanics, and a cabinet design that looks at home in both classic and modern interiors. 🧠 Collector’s / Model Note The TD-165 SPECIAL is part of the classic Thorens suspended-belt-drive tradition, a design approach valued by vinyl listeners for its mechanical isolation concept and straightforward manual operation. For buyers building a vintage hi-fi system, it fits naturally into an
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📝 Product Description
The first image is an AI-generated promotional visual and may differ from the actual item.
All subsequent photos are part of the description and show the actual item and its condition.
Demo tapes, reels, records, or accessories shown for demonstration purposes are not included unless clearly stated.
Please check your local voltage requirements; adapter is not included.
👉 Warranty and Service
Includes a 30-day Global ORT warranty for functionality.
Before shipping, you will receive a video test of the item and packaging.
Repair, maintenance, and extended warranty options are available upon request.
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Ships within 2–3 business days after payment.
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Items ship from the USA, Poland, or Ukraine. Standard delivery is about 10 business days.
Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are the buyer’s responsibility.
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With the asking price of US$951 clearly exceeding the 75th percentile marker of US$801 from your ground truth, this listing is ambitious and sits well above the typical used market median of US$650 for a Thorens TD 165. While the unit likely includes valuable original components, the price demands a pristine, original-owner condition with a perfect dust cover and fully serviced mechanism to justify the premium over fair-market listings hovering near US$575–US$650.
The Thorens TD 165 remains a well-regarded, belt-driven turntable known for its robust motor, excellent rumble suppression, and timeless Swiss engineering, offering a smooth, musical playback that rivals many modern tables. Its worthiness here hinges on timing: if the seller includes the original box, paperwork, and a quality cartridge, it could become a compelling buy for a collector seeking completeness, but at US$951, any missing accessories or cosmetic flaws would make this a risky purchase rather than a true opportunity.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Thorens traces its origins to 1883 in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland, where Hermann Thorens founded the company in the Jura mountains to craft music boxes and mechanical musical devices. Pioneering audio technology soon followed, with early cylinder phonographs, horn gramophones, and record players that established Thorens as an innovator predating the modern vinyl record. By the 1920s, breakthroughs like electric gramophone motors and magnetic pickups propelled international success, employing over 1,200 workers and embodying Swiss precision engineering. Ownership shifts, including a 2018 acquisition by Gunter Kürten, former Elac head, have revitalized the brand while honoring its 140-year heritage.
Thorens remains synonymous with high-quality turntables, its core focus since iconic idler-drive models like the TD-124 and TD-160 defined the golden age of analog playback. Vintage enthusiasts prize these for their robust plinths, precise motors, and timeless performance, while modern lines such as the 900 series introduce air-suspended sub-chassis for superior isolation. Brief forays into receivers, cassette decks, and speakers in the 1970s yielded to an unwavering commitment to vinyl reproduction, encompassing both LP and 78rpm formats.
Positioned as a high-end analog specialist, Thorens commands respect among discerning audiophiles and vintage collectors for its blend of historical pedigree and contemporary refinement. No longer strictly Swiss-manufactured but retaining that ethos, it occupies a niche boutique space—elevating turntables beyond entry-level to precision instruments that rival top competitors. Under Kürten's stewardship, Thorens thrives in the vinyl resurgence, delivering musical authenticity that serious hi-fi buyers demand.
See all Thorens listings on RADAR.
