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TD 165, working with a Signet cartridge. No known issues.
At US$499, this sits below the US$597 median for recent used comparables and comfortably between the US$368 25th percentile and the US$951 75th percentile, so it reads as a fair-to-good buy rather than a stretch. For a well-kept TD 165, that’s a sensible place to be: not a steal, but priced well enough to invite a serious look.
The TD 165 is respected for its simple suspended-subchassis design, musical midrange, and easy upgrade path, which makes it a satisfying deck for someone who wants vintage Thorens character without chasing a collector piece. If the arm bearings are smooth, the platter spins quietly, and the suspension has been sorted, the value is solid; original dust cover, a healthy belt, and a decent cartridge would make it more compelling still.
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.
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