Thorens TP 160 9-inch Tonearm

J-shape 9-inch tonearm with optimised mass distribution

The TP 160 is a nine-inch radial tonearm in the medium mass class. Its favourable mass distribution and high rigidity make it an ideal carrier for the finest cartridges, which fit the standard headshell redesigned together with the arm. Alternatively, the TP 160 accepts any other headshell with an SME bayonet or integrated cartridges such as the Ortofon SPU. As the effective lengths of different cartridges can vary slightly, the arm tube can also be adjusted axially, so the correct overhang is always achieved.

The perfect Helmut Thiele knife-edge bearing

Thorens designer Helmut Thiele gave the TP 160 a powerful, clear shape that looks impressive on both classic and new turntables. For horizontal movement the arm uses high-quality Japanese ball bearings, adjusted for perfectly smooth running and free play, and they keep these properties even in demanding daily use. Vertically, the arm moves in a completely newly developed knife-edge bearing, in which gravity, magnetism and precision mechanics work together to create defined, play-free mobility without any torque. The bearing is self-centring, friction-free, maintenance-free and robust.

In the Thorens knife-edge bearing a hardened steel edge meets a two-part bearing cup, which allows practically linear contact with no axial play. The traditional weakness of knife-edge bearings is their mostly undefined lateral guidance; the new magnetic lateral guidance solves this and holds the knife edge exactly in the centre of its housing without contact or friction. World-class MC cartridges reward this precisely defined, force-free centring with improved tracking and relaxed, stress-free performance.

Extensive, practical adjustment options

The TP 160 can be adjusted widely and reproducibly. VTA is set and secured with a lockable fine thread on the arm base. Anti-skating is compensated by an enclosed, calibrated, continuously adjustable spring mechanism. The headshell can be rotated for azimuth adjustment; it is factory-set to an exact parallel position, so no correction is usually needed with high-quality cartridges. Tracking force is applied traditionally by static balance, and thanks to the two-part counterweight the arm handles heavy and light cartridges and headshells equally well.

With the standard headshell made of solid aluminium, the TP 160 belongs to the medium to heavy mass class; the effective mass can be increased or reduced with suitable headshells if required. The enormous strength of its large-bore, resonance-optimised arm tube and the energy-dissipating bearing construction allow the TP 160 to perform excellently even with hard, mechanically demanding MC cartridges.