which Thorens to restore the TD 165 or a TD 160 MKii

71.192.45.8

Posted on June 29, 2024 at 08:23:41

gonzo
Audiophile

Posts: 2526
Location: new england
Joined: November 28, 2002

I picked them up literally decades ago and now have found them in my basement stash. Assuming there isn't anything terribly wrong with either of them, when restored/cleaned etc to an equal degree is there much difference sonically between the two?
I have read lots of threads, most are older, about which is the "superior" table and opinions differ.
Any recommendations or insights?
Thanks. Norm

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Do all the 160 MkIIs have the 10 mm shaft?

gonzo

08:22:57 07/01/24

No they are not all 10 mm.

B.K.

08:05:56 08/12/24

RE: which Thorens to restore the TD 165 or a TD 160 MKii

Munkie_NL

05:53:56 07/01/24

...

Show full thread outline!

Do all the 160 MkIIs have the 10 mm shaft?

gonzo

08:22:57 07/01/24

No they are not all 10 mm.

B.K.

08:05:56 08/12/24

RE: which Thorens to restore the TD 165 or a TD 160 MKii

Munkie_NL

05:53:56 07/01/24

RE: which Thorens to restore the TD 165 or a TD 160 MKii

George S. Roland

03:08:56 07/01/24

Check things like the inner platter metal or plastic and the diameter of the

kff

21:23:27 06/30/24

I would do both of them and then start listening, then over time you can make a decision. )MT(

J. S. Bach

10:24:20 06/29/24

3

For financial reasons I will have to choose one to do first.

gonzo

07:07:01 06/30/24

2

"Which one would you choose?" That would be a hard choice for me as I am not familiar with Thorens ...

J. S. Bach

11:18:35 06/30/24

RE: For financial reasons I will have to choose one to do first.

JonM

10:20:34 06/30/24

I would do both of them and then start listening, then over time you can make a decision. )MT(, posted on June 29, 2024 at 10:24:20
J. S. Bach Audiophile Posts: 9614 Location: Chester, SC Joined: November 28, 2001 Contributor Since: June 29, 2004	Later Gator, Dave

For financial reasons I will have to choose one to do first., posted on June 30, 2024 at 07:07:01
gonzo Audiophile Posts: 2526 Location: new england Joined: November 28, 2002	Preferably the one that might be the better of the two. I won't know how they compare until both are restored/repaired but for dollars and sense reasons, I have to choose one to start with. Which one would you choose? Thanks. Norm

RE: For financial reasons I will have to choose one to do first., posted on June 30, 2024 at 10:20:34
JonM Audiophile Posts: 308 Joined: December 29, 2000	I'd start with the TD160 Mk II. I owned an original TD160 (bought new when I was in college) and loved it. It looks like the Mk II kept the best of the older version (like the magnetic antiskate) and updated the arm (lower mass, I think). I've read the 165 is a cost-reduced version of the 160 (for example, the magnetic antiskate was replaced with a weight on a string).

"Which one would you choose?" That would be a hard choice for me as I am not familiar with Thorens ..., posted on June 30, 2024 at 11:18:35
J. S. Bach Audiophile Posts: 9614 Location: Chester, SC Joined: November 28, 2001 Contributor Since: June 29, 2004	...products. I have only "owned" one that I found at a flea market for cheap and gave it to MusicMike the next time I went to Ribfest. Later Gator, Dave

Check things like the inner platter metal or plastic and the diameter of the , posted on June 30, 2024 at 21:23:27
kff Audiophile Posts: 1057 Location: SE PA Joined: October 19, 2006	post on the inner platter, 7mm or 10mm. I go with the metal and 10mm spindle. I don't know how Thorens changed things over the years but the 165 is generally a lower model.

RE: which Thorens to restore the TD 165 or a TD 160 MKii, posted on July 1, 2024 at 03:08:56
George S. Roland Audiophile Posts: 1495 Location: N W Pennsylvania Joined: March 20, 2004	I'd go with the 160 if it were up to me. It's an excellent table.

RE: which Thorens to restore the TD 165 or a TD 160 MKii, posted on July 1, 2024 at 05:53:56

Munkie_NL
Audiophile

Posts: 4875
Location: Netherlands
Joined: August 24, 2003

I'd keep them both and start with the 160. I once read that play on the 160 arm could be fixed, on the 165 it can't. The mk II has a lighter arm which works best with an MM cart. Both have the sprung sub chassis which is a bitch to set up correctly. The analog dept. has good tips and tricks.

"The torture never stops"

Greetings Freek.

Analog dept.

Do all the 160 MkIIs have the 10 mm shaft?, posted on July 1, 2024 at 08:22:57
gonzo Audiophile Posts: 2526 Location: new england Joined: November 28, 2002	I had read that sometimes thorens would use up older parts even on different models until they were gone. Are there any MKIIs that have the 7mm shaft? Thanks for all that have answered so far, the consensus seems that the 160 MKII theoretically should be the better of the two, and whether I could tell a difference is another story, but it deserves to go first in the repair/resto line. Norm

No they are not all 10 mm., posted on August 12, 2024 at 08:05:56
B.K. Audiophile Posts: 1106 Location: California Joined: February 18, 2007 Contributor Since: March 12, 2007	I have found many examples of the TD160 mkII with the 7 mm shaft. I am not sure when this change cut in to production, but for sure, you need to check the bearing diameter if 100 mm is a must have. Best regards, B.K.

Vinyl Asylum

which Thorens to restore the TD 165 or a TD 160 MKii

71.192.45.8