Thorens TD 160-significant upgrade possible $1500?

You did not mention the tonearm you have on your TD-160. I owned one back in 1982. I was using the original Garrott Brothers P77, one of the great moving magnet cartridges, on an Excel Unipivot arm.

I did replace it with a lightly used Linn Sondek and that was an upgrade, as one would expect - or at least hope. A lot of music in those TD-160s though.

Regards,

You seem to want "jump" a Rega 3 TT would be ideal for you.

There is also the so called 'super TD-160' modify in UK
with damping and other improvements. This one was preferred
in Europe above other Thorens versions. You can save this way
about $1100 from your budget.

I've had a Thorens TD 160, 2 TD 125's, and 2 TD 150's. Three had original toneams, and 2 had different arms, ie Jelco 750d and SME 3009 II. I've also had a Rega P3, P5, RP6, and RP8 with Rega arms; TTPSU's were on 3 of them. After much interchange of various cartridges and many direct comparisons including Shure M95ed , Ortofon Cadenza red, Rega Exact, Rega Elyses, and Clearaudio Virtuoso, [among many others including V15III MR, HE and Jico SAS styli], I must say the vintage Thorens have been clear victors, and I now own no Regas whasover, only 2 Thorens, both restored; Although many would differ with me, I believe the Thorens are just more involving.