Thorens TAB 1600 Absorber Base at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The Thorens TAB 1600 is a dedicated turntable isolation platform from Thorens (Lahr, Germany), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Engineered using the principle of complete decoupling rather than coupling, the TAB 1600 physically separates the turntable from its supporting surface, eliminating the acoustic feedback and structure-borne vibrations that compromise analog playback precision. Its three-layer sandwich construction combines an MDF base plate, a damping fabric layer, and a core of specialized acoustic foam to absorb and dissipate both micro-vibrations from the room environment and the turntable's own operational resonances. Dimensions of 450 mm x 45 mm x 378 mm at a weight of 2.45 kg provide a generous footprint suitable for all current Thorens turntables and most third-party high-end decks, while the aesthetic is designed to complement the Thorens range naturally.

Decoupling vs. Coupling: Why It Matters

Two competing philosophies exist for turntable isolation: coupling, which uses rigid metal spikes to make a hard mechanical connection between the turntable and its support, and decoupling, which uses compliant materials to mechanically separate the turntable from the support. Coupling can be effective at removing horizontal wobble from an unstable surface but it also creates a direct conduction path for structure-borne vibrations from the floor and furniture into the turntable chassis. In a listening room where speaker sound waves travel through the air and excite the floor and furniture at low frequencies, a coupled turntable receives that energy directly through its spike-floor contact. The TAB 1600's decoupling approach uses the acoustic foam core to absorb and convert these mechanical vibrations into heat before they reach the turntable's feet, breaking the conduction path entirely. The result is a turntable that is acoustically isolated from its environment rather than structurally connected to it.

Three-Layer Sandwich Construction

The TAB 1600's three-layer construction addresses different frequency ranges of vibration with purpose-matched materials. The MDF base plate provides structural rigidity and a stable, non-resonant foundation that resists the lateral forces applied by the turntable's operating weight. The damping fabric layer between the MDF and acoustic foam interface couples the two materials while adding shear damping to suppress the lateral resonance modes of the sandwich. The acoustic foam core forms the primary isolation medium, its cell structure compressing and relaxing in response to vertical vibration inputs and converting mechanical energy to thermal energy through internal friction. The combination of these three layers produces a platform that attenuates both low-frequency floor vibrations and higher-frequency airborne acoustic energy effectively across the full range of frequencies that can affect turntable performance.

Key Features

• Complete Decoupling Principle: Eliminates the direct mechanical conduction path between the turntable and its support surface, blocking structure-borne vibration at the source.
• Three-Layer Sandwich Construction: MDF base plate, damping fabric layer, and specialized acoustic foam core working together across the full relevant vibration frequency range.
• Eliminates Acoustic Feedback: Prevents low-frequency speaker energy from traveling through the floor and furniture into the turntable chassis and platter.
• Reduces Operational Resonance: Absorbs micro-vibrations generated by the turntable's own motor and bearing during operation.
• Thorens Aesthetic Integration: Dimensions and design matched to complement the Thorens turntable range visually and ergonomically.
• Universal Compatibility: Suitable for high-end turntables from any manufacturer; generous 450 x 378 mm footprint accommodates all current Thorens models.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thorens TAB 1600 Absorber Base?

The Thorens TAB 1600 is a three-layer sandwich isolation platform consisting of an MDF base plate, damping fabric layer, and acoustic foam core that decouples a turntable from its supporting surface to eliminate acoustic feedback and structure-borne vibration. It measures 450 x 45 x 378 mm and weighs 2.45 kg. It is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA.

How does the TAB 1600 compare to using a wall-mounted turntable shelf?

A wall-mounted turntable shelf isolates the turntable from floor vibrations by anchoring it directly to the wall structure, which is typically less susceptible to low-frequency floor resonance from walking and speaker bass. The TAB 1600 takes a different approach: instead of relocating the turntable to a more vibration-stable surface, it absorbs the vibrations that would otherwise reach the turntable through its support. For listening rooms where a wall shelf is not practical or aesthetically desirable, the TAB 1600 is an effective and elegant solution. In environments with very high speaker output levels, a wall shelf and TAB 1600 used together can provide maximum isolation.

Is the TAB 1600 necessary if my turntable already has a spring-suspended sub-chassis?

A spring-suspended sub-chassis turntable such as the TD 1500, TD 1600, or TD 1601 already provides substantial internal isolation of the platter and tonearm from the outer plinth. However, the spring suspension isolates the platter and tonearm from the plinth, not the plinth from the support surface. If the plinth itself is receiving vibration through the furniture from the floor or airborne bass energy from the speakers, the TAB 1600 provides a complementary external isolation layer that reduces the vibration level reaching the plinth in the first place, allowing the internal suspension to operate in a quieter environment.

What support furniture is the TAB 1600 best suited for?

The TAB 1600 is most effective on support furniture that transmits vibration readily, such as lightweight particle-board shelving, glass-shelved racks, and furniture placed on hard floors in rooms with significant bass energy from speakers. Heavy, damped, dedicated audio racks that are already mechanically quiet benefit less from the TAB 1600 but can still show improvement, particularly in rooms where airborne bass from large loudspeakers is significant.

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

The Thorens TAB 1600 Absorber Base is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Thorens dealer offering the complete range of Thorens turntable accessories and isolation products across Western New York and the United States.