RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
This is superb turntable that has been professionally serviced and upgraded with RCA outputs and manufacturer grounding corrected. It has been meticulously alinged and has new Audio Technica cartridge. It has a heavy wood bottom base to dampen noise and polished head-shell. This has beautiful sound reproduction and aesthetically gorgeous. All upgrades giving respect to its original quality but providing better overall performance.
A classic suspended Thorens with a strong reputation for musical, low-fatigue vinyl playback, but this asking price is high. At US$850, it sits above the 75th percentile of the recent used market at US$711, so I’d call it ambitious rather than a deal.
The appeal here is the TD 166’s proven sound and simple, serviceable design: it can still reward a good cartridge and a careful setup with excellent timing and a very natural presentation. That said, at this price you want extra value in hand — documented service, a fresh belt, solid dustcover, and ideally an arm/table in clean original condition — because the model’s age makes condition and setup matter a lot more than the badge alone.
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.
