Thorens TD 402 DD OAK 2R

For its very first direct-drive turntable, Thorens developed the TD 402 DD. The OAK 2R variant combines an oak finish with the pre-installed Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. Everything is ready: the tonearm is mounted, the counterweight is in place, and the built-in phono preamp is included. Simply connect the turntable to an amplifier, set the tracking force, and place a record to start listening.

A direct drive — a first for Thorens

The Swiss company, founded in 1883, built its reputation on belt drive. The TD 402 DD is its first direct-drive turntable: the motor spins directly beneath the platter spindle, with no mechanical intermediary. Torque is delivered instantly at start-up, speed stabilises in a fraction of a second, and maintenance is reduced since there is no belt to replace. The motor is driven at 24 V by an external power supply, a choice that keeps mains components away from the tonearm.

Oak finish and mechanical construction

The chassis is made of MDF covered with an oak wood veneer. The design echoes the Thorens aesthetic of the 1970s, with two large front-panel switches: power on/off on the right, 33/45 rpm selection on the left. The die-cast aluminium platter measures 30 cm in diameter and features a rubber mat that isolates the record from residual vibrations. The turntable rests on four damped feet. Dimensions remain compact (420 × 141 × 355 mm, 5.8 kg), making it easy to integrate into a hi-fi rack. An acrylic dust cover is included.

The TP 72 carbon tonearm

Thorens developed a dedicated straight tonearm for this model, the TP 72. The tube is made of carbon, a material chosen for its favourable rigidity-to-mass ratio: its lightness limits inertia during movement, while its rigidity prevents parasitic resonances that could colour the signal. The effective length reaches 214.5 mm with an overhang of 19.5 mm. Anti-skating operates via magnet, with no thread or pulley. The headshell is in standard 1/2-inch format and is detachable, allowing the cartridge to be replaced or multiple cartridges to be used without touching the arm. The internal wiring uses T.P. Copper wire, with a DC resistance of 485 Ω.

The pre-installed Ortofon 2M Red cartridge

The suffix 2R denotes the presence of the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, installed and aligned at the factory. This is what distinguishes this version from other TD 402 DD variants, which are supplied with an Audio-Technica VM95E. Made by Danish brand Ortofon, the 2M Red is a moving magnet cartridge with an elliptical diamond stylus (8 × 18 μm radius) that tracks grooves with good precision in the midrange and an airy reproduction in the highs. The output voltage reaches 5.5 mV at 1 kHz, compatible with all MM phono inputs on the market. The recommended tracking force is 1.8 g. The frequency response covers 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+3/-1 dB), with channel separation at 1 kHz measured at 22 dB. A practical advantage: the 2M Red can be upgraded by simply replacing the stylus, without removing the cartridge body.

Built-in phono preamp and connections

The MM phono preamplifier is switchable from the turntable. When activated, it delivers a line-level signal that can be connected to any AUX input on an amplifier. When deactivated, the output remains at phono level and connects to a dedicated phono input on an amplifier or to a separate RIAA preamp. This flexibility leaves the door open for a gradual upgrade of the preamplifier, without affecting the rest of the setup. Connectivity is limited to a pair of RCA connectors and a ground terminal.

Controls and semi-automatic operation

Semi-automatic mode reduces handling without multiplying mechanical parts. The platter starts when the front-panel control is engaged and stops at the end of the record. The tonearm, however, does not return to its rest on its own: the user must lift it back, which avoids any return mechanism that could wear out over time. This compromise prevents the stylus from remaining indefinitely in the run-out groove if playback is left unattended. Speed switching between 33/45 rpm is performed via a second front-panel switch, with no intervention on the motor.

Technical Specifications

Operation

• Operating mode: semi-automatic
• Automatic start and stop
• Direct drive
• Rotation speeds: 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM
• Speed switching: manual (front panel switch)
• Switchable built-in phono preamplifier

Platter

• Material: die-cast aluminium
• Diameter: 30 cm
• Rubber mat included

TP 72 Tonearm

• Design: carbon
• Arm type: straight
• Effective length: 214.5 mm
• Overhang: 19.5 mm
• Magnetic anti-skating
• Removable headshell
• DC resistance: 485 Ω
• Cable used for coil: T.P. Copper
• Stylus fixing: Bounded Round Shank

Ortofon 2M RED Cartridge

• Type: MM (moving magnet)
• Pre-installed cartridge
• Stylus: elliptical
  • Stylus tip radius: r / R 8 / 18 μm
• Frequency response: 20 – 20000 Hz (+3 / -1 dB)
• Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5 cm/sec: 5.5 mV
• Channel balance at 1 kHz: 1.5 dB
• Channel separation
  • At 1 kHz: 22 dB
  • At 15 kHz: 15 dB
• Tracking ability (315 Hz at recommended tracking force): 70 μm
• Lateral dynamic compliance: 20 μm/mN
• Tracking force
  • Range: 1.6 to 2.0 g (16 to 20 mN)
  • Recommended: 1.8 g (18 mN)
• Tracking angle: 20°
• Internal impedance: 1.3 Ω
• Internal inductance: 700 mH
• Recommended load resistance: 47 kΩ
• Recommended load capacitance: 150 – 300 pF
• Cartridge weight: 7.2 g

Connections

• 1 stereo RCA output
• 1 ground terminal

Power Supply

• 24 V DC external power supply

Included Accessories

• External power supply
• Acrylic dust cover
• Phono RCA cable
• Rubber platter mat

General Information

• MDF chassis
• Finish: oak wood
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 420 x 141 x 355 mm
• Weight: 5.8 kg