Dual 1229 vs Thorens TD 166

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Dual 1229 · Thorens TD 166.

Practical differences

Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.

The Dual 1229 undercuts the Thorens TD 166 by $25 — $325 against $350.

The Dual 1229 spins its platter via idler drive; the Thorens TD 166 uses belt drive instead. Neither is objectively better — a rubber idler wheel driving the platter rim directly, giving huge torque and a punchy, immediate character that's become a specific taste among collectors versus a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.

The Dual 1229 is fully automatic — press start and the arm cues itself and lifts at the end of the side — where the Thorens TD 166 needs you to cue the arm by hand.

Bottom line: the Dual 1229 has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $25 gap.

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