Each year, dozens of European journalists gather to select the best electronic products of the year. Awarded by a diverse and impartial jury, the EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association) awards recognize exceptional products for their performance, design, or ergonomics.
The Thorens TD 204 is a manual turntable with a built-in phono preamp, offering impeccable sound quality and a belt-drive system for perfect audio isolation. The TD 204 is a top-choice turntable for music lovers.
The TD 204’s design is typical of THORENS turntables, combining both aesthetics and practicality. Available in two surface finishes, “glossy black” and “glossy walnut,” every detail is considered to offer a quality product. The die-cast aluminum platter, anti-vibration feet, and many other features contribute to delivering a high-quality sound experience.
The Thorens TD 204 uses a belt-drive system with a DC motor for platter rotation at speeds of 33 1/3 and 45 revolutions per minute. Speed selection is easily done using a switch located on the front left side of the turntable. The belt-drive system ensures better sound isolation, providing a more immersive listening experience.
The Thorens TD 204 turntable features a switchable built-in MM phono preamp in its chassis, allowing direct connection to a stereo amplifier, hi-fi system, or wireless speakers without a phono input. The phono preamp can be disengaged to allow connection to the phono input of a stereo amplifier or an external phono preamp if needed.
The Thorens TD-204 comes with a pre-mounted and factory-adjusted Audio-Technica AT 95E phono cartridge. Although it is an entry-level moving magnet (MM) cartridge, it benefits from careful manufacturing and offers respectable performance. It can be replaced with a higher-end cartridge to improve playback performance. Combined with an impressively performing TP 120 9” tonearm, offering high-quality bearing technology and significantly reduced friction coefficients, the TP 120 tonearm recalls all the qualitative properties of larger models.
The Thorens TD 204 stands out as a turntable that harmoniously combines excellent performance and versatility. Although it is in the mid-range price category, it offers several audiophile qualities, providing an enjoyable listening experience right out of the box. Beyond its immediate capabilities, the TD 204 provides a solid foundation for future upgrades, notably the installation of a high-end cartridge.
Andrea
Excellent product—Thorens is always a safe bet; beautiful to look at and to listen to. Arrived within the expected delivery window. Highly recommended!
Comment from August 19, 2025 — Experience from August 07, 2025
Pascal
Very beautiful Thorens turntable, the sound is smooth and very warm. I am very happy, thank you.
Comment from November 20, 2024 — Experience from November 09, 2024
