Thorens TD 404 DD black matte

The direct-drive motor from the TD 124 DD returns in a more compact format with a clean design. Thorens unveiled the TD 404 DD at the High End Munich 2025 show, with a clear goal: to offer the motor and tonearm from its flagship models at a more accessible price. This manual turntable retains three speeds (33⅓, 45, and 78 RPM) and includes convenience features such as electronic tonearm lift. The direct-drive motor from the TD 124 DD ensures stable rotation and high torque, qualities sought for quick speed-up and consistent playback.

High-Torque Motor and Damped Platter

Direct drive eliminates the belt and its wear or tension constraints. The TD 404 DD’s motor rotates in the same direction as the platter, with no intermediate transmission, which reduces sources of mechanical noise. The platter reaches its speed in approximately one second, typical behavior for high-torque turntables. The manufacturer announces speed fluctuations of 0.04% or less (WRMS), a level comparable to the brand’s belt-drive references such as the TD 1600/1601.

The platter weighs 3.7 kg. It is made of aluminum with integrated rubber damping. This combination promotes inertia (to smooth out speed variations) while absorbing resonances. A built-in strobe allows speed to be checked visually, and a fine pitch adjustment allows corrections of around one percent if needed.

The TP 160 Tonearm and Its Knife-Edge Bearing

The TP 160 is the first tonearm in Thorens history to use a knife-edge bearing. A hardened steel blade meets a two-part bearing housing, allowing near-linear contact with no axial play. This type of mounting minimizes friction and allows the tonearm to pivot freely under the effect of gravity.

A magnetic guidance system keeps the knife-edge bearing centered in its housing without contact or friction, eliminating the classic problem with knife-edge bearings: their tendency to drift laterally. The 9-inch J-shaped tonearm (232.8 mm effective length) is made of aluminum and ends with a removable headshell in the SME standard, compatible with most cartridges on the market.

The available adjustments cover the essentials: continuously adjustable VTA (vertical tracking angle) with micrometric screw lock, spring-calibrated anti-skating, azimuth adjustable via headshell rotation. The two-part counterweight allows cartridges weighing up to 30 grams to be balanced, opening the door to heavy MC cartridges without an adapter. The effective mass of 28 g steers the tonearm toward medium or low compliance cartridges.

Chassis Construction and Isolation

The TD 404 DD chassis follows a sandwich construction. The 5 mm aluminum top plate rests on an MDF plinth. This rigid structure limits parasitic resonances and provides a stable surface for the tonearm and platter.

Three decoupled, height-adjustable feet ensure contact with the furniture. Each foot incorporates a spring, whose stiffness was specifically calibrated after several tests on pre-production models. In practice, this suspension absorbs floor vibrations and makes leveling easier on uneven surfaces.

Everyday Convenience Features

The turntable remains manual in operation: the tonearm must be placed by hand at the start of playback. However, the e-Lift system takes over at the end of the record. The mechanism gently raises the stylus at the end of the groove, reducing wear on the cartridge and the vinyl. The automatic stop then cuts the platter rotation.

Speed selection (33⅓, 45, and 78 RPM) is performed via an electronic switch on the front panel, with no mechanical manipulation. The presence of 78 RPM allows playback of old shellac records with a suitable cartridge (wider stylus, not included). Start and stop controls are also located on the front panel, simplifying access.

Connectivity and Power Supply Options

At the rear, the TD 404 DD offers two types of audio outputs: gold-plated RCA connectors for traditional setups, and balanced XLR outputs for high-end systems. This dual connectivity allows the most suitable connection method to be chosen for the phono preamplifier in use. A ground terminal completes the setup.

The included power supply is an external DC 24 V switching adapter. Thorens offers the TPN 124 linear power supply as an option, designed to deliver more stable current free of high-frequency noise. The improvement is most noticeable on highly resolving systems, where micro-variations in voltage can influence motor behavior.

Three Finishes, One Chassis

The TD 404 DD is available in gloss black, walnut, and matte oak. The wood finishes use genuine veneer on the MDF plinth, while the black version receives a gloss treatment. The removable dust cover is included as standard, protecting the platter and tonearm from dust between listening sessions.

The dimensions remain compact for a turntable in this category: 450 mm wide, 368 mm deep, and 155 mm tall (without dust cover). The weight of 12.5 kg reflects the solidity of the construction, but requires a stable piece of furniture.

Cartridge Not Included: A Deliberate Choice

Thorens ships the TD 404 DD without a cartridge. This choice leaves the freedom to pair the turntable with an MM or MC cartridge according to personal preference and budget. The standard SME mount and the effective mass of 28 g lean more toward medium compliance (10–20 µm/mN) or low compliance cartridges. Mid- and high-end MC cartridges integrate without difficulty, as do robust MM types such as the Ortofon 2M or Audio-Technica VM.

Technical specifications

Type and drive

• Manual direct-drive turntable
• Playback speeds: 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm
• Speed selection via electronic switch on the front panel
• Start / stop control on the front panel

Features

• Electronic tonearm lift (e-Lift)
• Automatic stop at the end of playback

Chassis and platter

• MDF chassis with 5 mm aluminum top plate
• Platter
  • Diameter: 30.48 cm
  • Weight: 3.7 kg
  • Materials: aluminum with rubber damping
• Feet: 3 adjustable decoupled feet
• Finishes: gloss black, walnut, matte oak

Tonearm

• Model: Thorens TP 160
• Bearing type: knife-edge
• Effective length: 232.8 mm
• Offset angle: 23.6°
• Overhang: 17.8 mm
• Effective mass: 28 g
• Anti-skating: spring adjustment
• Available adjustments
  • Continuously adjustable VTA with lock
  • Adjustable anti-skating
• Removable SME-standard headshell
• Automatic stop via e-Lift

Motor and precision

• High-precision direct-drive motor
• Optimized rotational stability for constant speed
• Speed control via integrated strobe with fine pitch adjustment
• Heavy platter to reduce speed variations and vibrations

Connectivity

• Audio outputs
  • Gold-plated unbalanced RCA
  • Balanced XLR
• Grounding: 1 ground terminal

Power supply

• Supplied power supply: external 24 V DC adapter
• Compatible with the optional Thorens TPN 124 linear power supply

Phono cartridge

• Cartridge not included
• Compatible with a wide choice of cartridges thanks to the SME mount

Included accessories

• External 24 V power supply
• User guide

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W x H x D): 450 x 155 x 368 mm
• Weight: 12.5 kg