Thorens TD170 3-Speed Automatic Belt Drive Turntable (Black)

by Thorens

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 4 inches ; 11 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000QE38E0
• Item model number: TD170 black
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,872 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Anyone who thinks that you should not need a degree in sound engineering or to spend hours tuning equipment to enjoy music will be well served by the Thorens TD170. It combines a 3-speed electronically controlled DC motor, a precision belt-drive, an OMB-10 pick-up cartridge, and a proprietary low-noise bearing system. This ensures that the sonic quality your records, and not extraneous turntable noise, will be the center of your attention. It also features an arm-lift and automatic return function, and can switch itself off. The 3-speed motor plays 78-rpm records and is perfect for anyone with old shellac records amongst their collection.

Product Description

You don't need an advanced degree in sound engineering or a PhD in turntable set-up to immediately start enjoying the Thorens TD 170-1. There's no fine tuning necessary to get great sound from a truly versatile 'table. And the overall performance truly lives up to the name 'Thorens.' The TD 170-1 features an arm-lift for manual record play as well as fully automatic operation. With its three-speed electronically controlled DC motor, it even plays old 78 rpm records. That makes it the perfect choice if you've got old shellac records in your collection. The Thorens precision belt drive, coupled to a highly accurate DC motor, keeps the speed constant and precise. The 0.9 lb. turntable platter contributes to the playback stability. Included already installed to the TD 170-1 is the Thorens TP 18 tonearm with Ortofon OMB10 phono cartridge. "I would classify the Ortofon cartridge tonal balance as neutral, with an excellent midrange," observes Charles Hansen in his January 2004 AudioXpress.com review. "It offers fine performance."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Piece of Junk, September 4, 2008

By 

Allan Conroy (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thorens TD170 3-Speed Automatic Belt Drive Turntable (Black) (Electronics)

The turntable was at first completely "off"--brand new recordings sounded wobbly and out of sync. I was able to get this repaired, though it's never been totally right. Then, as others here have pointed out, the motor slowed so much that now records play about a minor 3rd lower than they should. And any older recording which weighs more than the lightest of lightweight LPs often doesn't play at all. A complete rip-off. I will never buy Thorens again.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad Buy, July 16, 2008

By 

E. Marks (NYC, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thorens TD170 3-Speed Automatic Belt Drive Turntable (Black) (Electronics)

My experience is pretty much the same as Croquetman's. Let me add that when I contacted Thorens US representative,he made no effort to stand behind product and instead referred me to a parts supplier. Which did not solve problem. Buying this turntable turned into an expensive mistake for a poor performing piece of equipment that didn't last with only minimal use. Ultimately, I decided to throw turntable out and will never purchase another Thorens product.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible Turntable, March 1, 2008

By 

Croquet Man "prt23" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thorens TD170 3-Speed Automatic Belt Drive Turntable (Black) (Electronics)

This turntable is extremely unreliable and a waste of money. I wanted to get a turntable that played 78s as well as 33s, and thought that this would be a nice choice. I had previously owned a Garard 42M for 30 years, but it only played 33s and occasionally had wow, so I thought this would last for another generation.
About a year after I bought it, the player stopped working, and after many attempts to get it going over several days, it began to play at a speed that was so slow that the sound was horribly distorted. Now it does not play at all. It is not the belt, but to repair it now would cost more than it is worth, and who knows how long it would work after the repair? I think I am going to go back to my Garard or try another old turntable.