Matt, Sounds like good advice, but you should read the ad in the "Turntable" Category about the retooled and refurbished TD-166. The member's name is 'Highspinner" who seems to have done a worth job on the Thorens I was impressed that he replaced the tonearm and phono cable with Vampire wire. I think the arm is the original Thorens TP-16. (I am not sure) If anything the ad context offers an interesting explanation of the work done.
BTW, I had owned a Grado Gold in the 1990 on a VPI JR TT, then a Sumiko Blue Point Special, and....much later a Dynavector 10X5 with a Rega P3-24. which was a great combo. Actually the finest cartridge I have ever owned was Sumiko's original "Talisman" MC or MM( not sure) mounted on Sonographe turntable (vintage 1987).
After I sold the Rega, I got out of analog, and one year later justified buying the Project DC Carbon.table for limited LP use. I am not a big fan of the higher level Project tables
FYI,, my current system is a pair of Golden Ear Technology 7's,...' a Rogue Sphinx integrated amp,.... and a Ayre CX-7e mp. Cables are Harmonic Technolgy Pro11+ and a HT Truthlink IC Not super high end, but in the race. Thanks for your comment.