Rega RP3 vs Thorens TD 160

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Rega RP3 · Thorens TD 160.

Comparison of Rega RP3 and Thorens TD 160
Specification Rega
RP3
Thorens
TD 160
PriceHighlighted difference. $575 (used)$600 (used)
CategoryVintageVintage
Statusdiscontinueddiscontinued
Years2011–20161972–?
Drivebelt drivebelt drive
Speeds33/45 rpm33/45 rpm
Operationmanualmanual
Cartridge suppliedNoneNone
Phono stageNoNo
USB outputNoNo
BluetoothNoNo
Platterglasszinc-alloy, two-piece
TonearmRega RB303Thorens TP-16
Wow & flutter

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.

There's a real gap here: $25 separates them, with the Thorens TD 160 the pricier of the two.

Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: 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.

Bottom line: the Rega RP3 has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $25 gap.

Retailer searches

4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.

Retailers selling Rega RP3
RetailerTypeShippingProduct search
Guitar Center music retail Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. View at Guitar Center ↗
Reverb used marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at Reverb ↗
Upscale Audio hifi independent Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). View at Upscale Audio ↗
eBay marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at eBay ↗

Retailer searches

4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.

Retailers selling Thorens TD 160
RetailerTypeShippingProduct search
Guitar Center music retail Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. View at Guitar Center ↗
Reverb used marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at Reverb ↗
Upscale Audio hifi independent Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). View at Upscale Audio ↗
eBay marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. View at eBay ↗

Compare two different decks →