Cyril
Ultra effective, looks very sturdy
Comment from April 21, 2026 — Experience from January 01, 2026
Thorens, an iconic brand in the hi-fi world, introduces its new automatic turntable, the TD 101 A, in a matte black finish. This model combines Thorens’ historical expertise in turntables with modern features, offering a high-quality listening experience accessible to all vinyl enthusiasts.
At the heart of the TD 101 A is a belt-drive system, renowned for its reliability and ability to minimize unwanted vibrations. The 12V DC motor ensures stable and precise platter rotation, while the speed selector allows easy switching between 33 1/3 and 45 RPM.
The newly developed aluminum tonearm by Thorens is equipped with a standard 1/2-inch headshell. This design provides great flexibility in cartridge selection, although the turntable comes with an excellent pre-installed and pre-adjusted Audio-Technica AT 3600 cartridge.
One of the key strengths of the TD 101 A lies in its fully automatic system. The tonearm automatically positions itself and returns after use, eliminating the risk of accidental damage to records or the cartridge. This feature is particularly appreciated by beginners or those who want to enjoy their vinyl without worrying about the delicate handling of the tonearm.
The automatic mechanism is designed to be both robust and silent, ensuring no compromise in sound quality. It offers unmatched ease of use, allowing you to fully focus on the joy of listening.
Despite its ease of use, the TD 101 A makes no compromises on sound quality. The pre-installed Audio-Technica AT 3600 cartridge delivers an extended frequency response from 20 Hz to 22 kHz, ensuring faithful and balanced reproduction across the entire sound spectrum.
The aluminum platter, paired with the rubber mat, helps absorb unwanted vibrations, preserving signal purity. The 60 dB signal-to-noise ratio reflects the quality of the design, guaranteeing clear and detailed playback free from background noise.
The TD 101 A stands out for its versatile connectivity. It features a built-in, switchable phono preamp, allowing direct connection to an amplifier or active speakers, even those without a dedicated phono input. This feature is particularly valuable for those looking to integrate the turntable into a modern audio system without investing in an external phono preamp.
For purists or those who already own a high-quality phono preamp, the built-in preamp can be deactivated via a switch located at the back of the turntable. This flexibility allows the TD 101 A to adapt to various audio setups and evolve over time.
The TD 101 A continues Thorens’ tradition of automatic turntables, offering a more affordable alternative to its big sister, the TD 102 A. While sharing many features, the TD 101 A is distinguished by its aluminum tonearm (as opposed to the carbon tonearm of the TD 102 A) and its AT 3600 cartridge (compared to the AT-VM95E on the TD 102 A).
These subtle differences enable Thorens to offer a high-quality turntable at a more accessible price point, without compromising the brand’s essence. The TD 101 A thus serves as an excellent entry point into the world of high-end vinyl turntables.
Yes, the standard 1/2-inch headshell allows for the installation of most cartridges on the market. However, the included AT 3600 cartridge already delivers excellent performance and is perfectly suited to this turntable.
No, the TD 101 A only supports 33 1/3 and 45 RPM speeds. It is not designed for playing 78 RPM records.
No, the automatic system is an integrated feature of the TD 101 A and cannot be disabled. If you prefer manual control, you will need to consider another model in the Thorens range.
Regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth is usually sufficient. For cleaning the platter and rubber mat, use a slightly damp cloth. Avoid harsh cleaning products that could damage the finish.
The TD 101 A comes pre-adjusted and ready to use. However, it is always recommended to check the levelness of the turntable using a spirit level during installation to ensure optimal performance.
Cyril
Ultra effective, looks very sturdy
Comment from April 21, 2026 — Experience from January 01, 2026
Fernando
The Thorens TD 101A turntable is very beautiful, with impeccable craftsmanship as usual from Thorens. Very good sound quality with the cartridge supplied with the turntable.
Comment from February 20, 2025 — Experience from February 09, 2025