Thorens TP 160 TonearmThorens TP 160 Tonearm at Vinyl Sound The TP 160 is a nine inch radial arm in the medium weight class. Its favorable mass distribution and high strength make it the ideal support for the finest cartridges. These fit into the standard original headshell, which has been newly designed along with the arm. Alternatively, the TP 160 also accommodates any other headshell with SME bayonet or integrated cartridges like the Ortofon SPU. Since the effective
Thorens TP 160 Tonearm at Vinyl Sound
The TP 160 is a nine-inch radial arm in the medium weight class. Its favorable mass distribution and high strength make it the ideal support for the finest cartridges. These fit into the standard original headshell, which has been newly designed along with the arm. Alternatively, the TP 160 also accommodates any other headshell with SME bayonet or integrated cartridges like the Ortofon SPU. Since the effective lengths of different cartridges can vary slightly, we have also provided for axial adjustment of the arm tube to ensure perfect overhang at all times.
Perfected knife-edge bearing by Helmut Thiele
Thorens designer Helmut Thiele has given the TP 160 a powerful, clear form that looks stunning on both old and new turntables. For horizontal movement, the arm is equipped with high-quality Japanese ball bearings, adjusted for perfect smoothness and freedom from play, maintaining these qualities even in tough everyday use. Vertically, the arm tube moves in our completely newly developed knife-edge bearing. Gravity, magnetism, and precision mechanics work together here, resulting in play-free, defined mobility without any breakaway torque. The bearing is self-centering, frictionless, maintenance-free, and robust.
In the Thorens knife-edge bearing, a hardened steel edge meets a two-part constructed bearing shell, allowing practically linear contact and exhibiting no axial play. A traditional weakness of knife-edge bearings is their often-undefined lateral limitation. Our new magnetic lateral guidance solves this problem, keeping the knife-edge bearing precisely centered in its shell without any contact or friction. World-class MCs (Moving Coil cartridges) detect this precisely defined, force-free centering and respond with enhanced tracking ability and relaxed, stress-free performance.
Masterful Precision by Helmut Thiele.
Elevate your analog playback to reference levels with the Thorens TP 160 Tonearm. Available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, this nine-inch radial tonearm falls into the highly versatile medium-weight class. Designed by the renowned Helmut Thiele, its powerful, clear form looks stunning on both vintage restorations and modern high-end turntables, while its massive strength provides the ideal foundation for the world's finest cartridges.
Revolutionary Magnetic Knife-Edge Bearing
The defining feature of the TP 160 is its completely newly developed vertical knife-edge bearing. In traditional knife-edge designs, lateral limitation is often undefined. Thorens solves this brilliantly with an innovative magnetic lateral guidance system. This contactless, frictionless magnetic force keeps the hardened steel knife-edge perfectly centered in its two-part shell without any axial play. Combined with high-quality Japanese ball bearings for horizontal movement, the arm achieves absolute freedom from play, allowing high-end Moving Coil (MC) cartridges to deliver a relaxed, stress-free, and dynamically explosive performance.
Ultimate Cartridge Compatibility
Out of the box, the TP 160 includes a newly designed, solid aluminum standard headshell. However, it utilizes a universal SME bayonet connector, allowing you to easily swap in any compatible headshell or use integrated cartridges like the legendary Ortofon SPU. Because the effective lengths of different cartridges vary, Thorens has integrated an axial adjustment of the arm tube to guarantee perfect stylus overhang at all times. Thanks to its two-part counterweight, it effortlessly handles both heavy and light cartridge setups.
Extensive, Reproducible Adjustments
Total control over your cartridge alignment is at your fingertips. The TP 160 features a lockable fine thread on the tonearm base for secure and exact VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) adjustments. Skating force is perfectly managed by a calibrated, continuously adjustable closed spring mechanism. Finally, azimuth adjustment is easily facilitated by the rotatable headshell (though factory-set to exact parallel alignment), ensuring perfect stereo channel separation.
Technical Specifications
| Feature |
Technical Details |
| Tonearm Type |
9-inch radial tonearm (Medium-to-heavy weight class with standard headshell). |
| Designer |
Helmut Thiele. |
| Vertical Bearing |
Self-centering knife-edge bearing with contactless magnetic lateral guidance. |
| Horizontal Bearing |
Precision-adjusted Japanese ball bearings. |
| Headshell Connector |
Universal SME bayonet (Supports Ortofon SPU and aftermarket headshells). |
| Adjustability |
VTA (fine thread), Azimuth (rotatable headshell), Anti-skate (calibrated spring), Axial Overhang. |
| Counterweight |
Two-part design to accommodate both light and heavy cartridges/headshells. |
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