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Thorens TD 160 Mk 2 With SME 3009 Series 2 Improved (Fixed Head Shell) Turntable The turntable is running perfectly with replacement (silent) motor fitted recently. It comes with a Nagaoka MP110 cartridge (100 hours use) together with an unused replacement stylus. One owner from new since 1979. Condition is great for the age, lid is original (has a few scratches but no cracks) as are the hinges. Was in storage for 20 years and then reactivated in 2020 by local hi fi technician and was last serviced in November 2022. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: EFT/Cash on pick up Region/State:
Excellent condition makes this a strong buy at A$990: for a TD160 Mk2 with an SME 3009, that sits in the fair-to-good zone rather than feeling stretched, and it’s not far off what these classic belt drives plus the arm tend to fetch in the used market. If the deck is complete and running cleanly, this is the kind of price that makes sense for a ready-to-play vintage Thorens rather than a project piece.
The appeal is the combination: the TD160’s suspended subchassis gives that quiet, easy timing and good isolation, while the SME 3009 is still prized for its precision and cartridge flexibility. A clean, well-kept example is especially attractive because these are long-lived decks when serviced properly, and originality matters more than cosmetic shine here. I’d mainly want confirmation of suspension health, bearing smoothness, and that the arm and lift mechanism are intact.
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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