Thorens MC 1600 Phono Preamplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The Thorens MC 1600 is a flagship fully balanced dual-mono phono preamplifier from Thorens (Lahr, Germany), handmade in Germany and available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Supporting both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges, the MC 1600 delivers the highest level of customization available in any Thorens phono stage. MC input impedance is continuously adjustable between 20 and 1280 ohms in over 60 precise steps, gain is selectable from 32 dB to 68 dB in 10 fine increments, and capacitance is adjustable from 50 to 600 pF, all via per-channel DIP switches. A fully balanced, dual-mono signal architecture ensures exceptional channel separation and an extremely low noise floor, while both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs provide versatile system integration. A separately shielded external power supply and a switchable subsonic filter complete the design.

Fully Balanced Dual-Mono Architecture

The MC 1600 is built around a strict dual-mono circuit layout in which the left and right audio channels are kept completely separated from input to output. In a dual-mono design, each channel has its own independent amplification stage, power supply filtering, and signal path, eliminating the inter-channel crosstalk and shared-component noise that is inherent in conventional stereo-channel circuit boards. Combined with the fully balanced topology, the circuit processes the incoming phono signal as a differential pair throughout, rejecting common-mode noise at every stage. The practical benefit for phono applications, where cartridge output voltages can be as low as 0.2 mV, is a preamplifier that amplifies the musical signal while rejecting external interference at a level that single-ended circuits cannot match. The low-resonance chassis is handbuilt in Germany and designed to integrate visually and acoustically with the Thorens turntable and tonearm range.

Comprehensive Cartridge Customization

What distinguishes the MC 1600 from most phono preamplifiers is the granularity of its adjustment options. For MM cartridges, the standard 47 kOhm input impedance and a wide capacitance range from 50 to 600 pF cover every MM cartridge available. For MC cartridges, the load impedance range from 20 to 1280 ohms in over 60 distinct steps allows the user to optimize the cartridge's high-frequency response and perceived tonal balance with a precision impossible on preamplifiers with only 3 or 4 fixed load settings. Gain adjustable from 32 dB to 68 dB in 10 steps accommodates every category of cartridge output, from 5 mV MM to the lowest-output 0.2 mV MC, without requiring external step-up transformers. All adjustments are made per channel, meaning the left and right channels can be independently optimized for cartridges with slight electrical asymmetry. A switchable subsonic filter eliminates low-frequency rumble below the audible range without affecting the bass the music contains.

Key Features

• Fully Balanced Dual-Mono Design: Completely separated left and right signal paths from input to output for maximum channel separation and minimum noise.
• Handmade in Germany: Premium component selection and assembly quality reflecting Thorens' heritage of German analog craftsmanship.
• MM and MC Compatibility: Single unit serves both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges at reference level.
• MC Load Impedance: Freely selectable between 20 and 1280 ohms in over 60 precise steps via per-channel DIP switches.
• MM Input Impedance: Standard 47 kOhms for compatibility with all moving magnet cartridges.
• Gain Range: Adjustable from 32 dB to 68 dB in 10 fine steps to accommodate all cartridge output levels.
• Capacitance Adjustment: 50 to 600 pF range for optimal MM cartridge tuning to minimize resonance and frequency response peaks.
• Per-Channel DIP-Switch Adjustments: Independent adjustment of gain, impedance, and capacitance for left and right channels.
• Switchable Subsonic Filter: Eliminates low-frequency turntable rumble without impacting audible bass content.
• Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA: Both input and output configurations available for maximum system integration flexibility.
• Separately Shielded External Power Supply: Keeps transformer magnetic fields and switching noise completely away from the audio circuit.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thorens MC 1600?

The Thorens MC 1600 is a flagship fully balanced, dual-mono MM/MC phono preamplifier handmade in Germany. It features MC load impedance adjustable between 20 and 1280 ohms in over 60 steps, gain adjustable from 32 to 68 dB in 10 increments, capacitance adjustment from 50 to 600 pF, per-channel DIP switches, a switchable subsonic filter, balanced XLR and RCA inputs and outputs, and a separately shielded external power supply. It is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA.

How does the Thorens MC 1600 compare to the Parasound JC 3 Jr or Lehmannaudio Black Cube SE II?

The Parasound JC 3 Jr is a respected single-ended MC/MM phono stage offering three fixed MC load settings and fixed gain positions. The Lehmannaudio Black Cube SE II is a German-engineered single-ended design with a small selection of DIP-switch load options. The MC 1600 surpasses both in the granularity of its customization: over 60 MC load impedance steps versus 3 to 5 on both competitors, 10 gain steps versus fewer fixed positions, and full capacitance adjustment for MM. The MC 1600 also adds a fully balanced dual-mono circuit topology that neither the JC 3 Jr nor the Black Cube SE II offers, providing a measurably lower noise floor and higher channel separation when used with a balanced-equipped turntable such as the Thorens TD 1600 or TD 1601 series.

Why does MC load impedance adjustment matter?

A moving coil cartridge's generator coil interacts electrically with the input impedance of the phono stage, and this interaction affects the cartridge's high-frequency response and tonal character. Too low a load impedance damps the cartridge's coil, rolling off high frequencies and making the sound soft. Too high a load leaves the cartridge's resonant peaks uncontrolled, producing a bright, peaky character. The optimal load impedance is cartridge-specific and sometimes even varies between individual specimens of the same model. The MC 1600's 60-step adjustment allows the user to find the exact loading that produces the flattest, most natural response for their specific cartridge, a level of optimization impossible on phono stages with only 3 or 4 fixed settings.

Can the MC 1600 be used with the Thorens TAS 1600 or TAS 1500 cartridges?

Yes. The MC 1600's adjustable impedance range from 20 to 1280 ohms covers both cartridges. The TAS 1600 and TAS 1500 have a 12 ohm coil resistance, so they are typically best loaded between 100 and 500 ohms depending on listening preference and system character. The MC 1600's fine adjustment steps allow the user to dial in this range precisely rather than accepting a fixed compromise. For maximum performance, connect via the balanced XLR outputs of the TD 1600 or TD 1601 turntable to the MC 1600's balanced XLR inputs to take full advantage of both components' differential signal paths.

Is the MC 1600 suitable for high-output MC or MM cartridges like the Ortofon 2M Bronze?

Yes. The MC 1600 operates equally effectively with MM cartridges at the standard 47 kOhm MM impedance, with capacitance adjustable from 50 to 600 pF to optimize the specific MM cartridge's high-frequency resonance. Gain can be set to the lower range of 32 to 40 dB appropriate for MM output voltages around 5 mV. The same unit then serves a low-output MC cartridge at higher gain settings without any hardware modification, making the MC 1600 future-proof for cartridge upgrades and system changes.

Where can I buy the Thorens MC 1600 in Buffalo or the USA?

The Thorens MC 1600 phono preamplifier is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Thorens dealer providing full product demonstration and setup support for the complete Thorens analog range across Western New York and the United States.