XLR Pinouts on Thorens TD1601

It's not "hot" and "cold".  It's positive and negative.  You correctly understand the problem, so the question is how to identify the positive phase signal (or the negative phase signal, for that matter).  But it actually does not matter. The worst that can happen is the signal polarity will be reversed, if you guess wrong.  That may actually be a good thing, or a not so good thing. Play it by ear. Ground is pin1 in either case.

1. QUESTION: Can anyone tell me the XLR pinouts of the Thorens TD-1601?

I could be wrong, but I don’t think Thorens would use the "American" standard (1=GND =HOT 3=COLD) since it comes from Germany. However, this can be easily confirmed by asking Thorens or using a digital multimeter for continuity testing.

2. QUESTION: Two scenarios below:

• A) If the TT uses the same European standard as the Accuphase Interated, is it OK to let it pass through the Schitt pre in that manner? Assume so, right?

Yes, no need to change any connection.

• B) If the TT uses the opposite standard as the Accuphase Integrated, I assume I would need to alter one end of both cables. Would it be best to alter them between the Thorens TT and the Schitt Pre OR between the Schitt Pre and the Accuphase Integrated? But not both, right?

Again, no need to change any connection, just simply switch the PHASE button to "invert" on the front panel of the Accuphase E-380.

Thx @imhififan, good info.   I’ll keep trying to get the pin out on the turntable.

If the turntable use a the “American“ standard, and I did not want to engage the phase button, I would need to rewire the XLR‘s, meaning swap, hot and cold on one end for both cables, right?

If the turntable use a the “American“ standard, and I did not want to engage the phase button, I would need to rewire the XLR‘s, meaning swap, hot and cold on one end for both cables, right?

Yes.

However, as @lewm  pointed out, it doesn't actually matter! It won't cause any damage to your system or loss of sound quality since some music is recorded "out of phase". You can try using the phase button and see if you can hear a difference.

I’d also like to add that if the turntable uses the "US" standard and you don’t want to use the phase button, there is more than one way to adjust the system polarity:

1. Swap the RED and GREEN, WHITE and BLUE leads on the phono cartridge.

2. Connect a XLR Phase Reverse Adapter in between the Schitt Pre and the Accuphase Integrated.

3. Rewire one end of the XLR cable by swapping pin 2 and 3. It doesn’t matter whether it is in between the Thorens TT and the Schitt Pre OR between the Schitt Pre and the Accuphase Integrated.

thanks @imhififan @lewm, this is helpful info, and what I was looking for.  In your last response, I assume ANY ONE of the three, and NOT ALL three, correct?

Can I use a multi-meter to test the polarity coming out of the Thorens via XLR?

thx, gem

I assume ANY ONE of the three, and NOT ALL three, correct?

Yes, any one will do.

Can I use a multi-meter to test the polarity coming out of the Thorens via XLR?

Disconnect the cartridge from the tonearm leads, use an ohmmeter, a probe on the red lead of the tonearm, and a probe on pin 2 or pin 3 of the right channel XLR socket to see which one has continuity.

Thanks team.