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Thorens TD160 Super Turntable Thorens TD160 Super. In immaculate condition and perfect working order. Custom made heavy Australian hardwood plinth and bottom board. Adjustable stainless steel isolation feet. Grado phono cartridge. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Paypal, Cash, EFT Region/State: (QLD) Queensland/Australia By SMGIII 2 Comments AUD $1,600 Date: October 22, 20241 yr
With the Thorens TD160 Super from the classic 1970s-80s golden era still holding cult status—no direct successor has fully displaced it—timing this listing is spot-on amid vinyl's endless revival. At AUD 1,600 with condition undisclosed, it's ambitious bordering on steep versus our recent comps (median AUD 1,118, 25th-75th percentile AUD 734-1,299). Fair used market for serviced examples in decent shape typically spans AUD 900-1,400; you'd need pristine cosmetics, full restoration history, and upgrades to justify pushing the upper end.
Before biting, verify the platter bearing for smooth spin (these lube-starved originals often wobble after 40+ years) and check for the original SME-style tonearm or quality aftermarket subchassis—replacements are pricey. Insist on plinth integrity, no motor hum on test play, and inclusion of dust cover, counterweight, and headshell; skip sans service records or provenance.
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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