Thorens TD 404 DD Turntable, Gloss Black

The Thorens TD 404 DD is a direct-drive high-end turntable with the motor from the TD 124 DD, the TP 160 tonearm with a knife-edge bearing, an electronic lift with end-of-record shutoff, and RCA and XLR outputs — without a cartridge.

Here, Thorens packed the ingredients of the big TD 124 DD into a modern, clearly drawn cabinet: no vintage costume, no DJ look, but a turntable that looks like what it is. And the motor — the same one as in its far pricier big brother — brings the platter up to speed in what feels like a second.

Why the TD 404 DD?

Because it combines things that otherwise live in separate price classes. Three speeds including 78 rpm, a strobe with pitch control, a 3.7 kg resonance-damped aluminum platter. The TP 160 works with a knife-edge bearing that guides with less friction than the price would suggest. The plinth is a sandwich construction with an aluminum top plate and rests on three height-adjustable, sprung feet — footfall noise and feedback have a hard time here. And the balanced XLR outputs are still quite a statement in this class.

What you hear

Calm and torque at the same time — the hardest combination in turntable design. The drive pushes without ever making itself audible; dynamic passages get weight without any background noise coming along. The heavy platter holds the speed, the strobe lets you fine-tune, in case you're the kind of person who likes to keep an eye on such things. The electronic lift lowers and raises gently — and at the end of the record it lifts off by itself, before the turntable slows to a calm stop.

Who is the TD 404 DD for?

For listeners looking for a turntable for life who want to choose their own cartridge. Anyone who already has a good phono stage — ideally a balanced one — gets everything out of it here. And anyone with 78 rpm shellac records finally finds a modern player that takes them seriously.

Straight talk: A cartridge is not included, and neither is a phono preamp — you need to factor both in. Also, the tonearm can only be lowered and raised via the lift button; anyone who prefers doing that by hand should know this beforehand. And RCA and XLR can't be run in parallel. Honestly: anyone who just wants to quickly listen to a record is two sizes too big here.

Our verdict

The TD 404 DD is the point where direct drive stops being a compromise. It challenges its bigger brother and costs a fraction of it — that's easy to say, but here it's actually true. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we build the right system for you, set it up and clarify beforehand whether your chain plays along in balanced mode.

Technical specifications

• Operation: electronic tonearm lift (e-lift) with end-of-record shutoff
• Drive: direct drive, fully electronically controlled DC motor
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm, electronically switchable
• Speed control: strobe with pitch control
• Wow and flutter: 0.035% (DIN) / 0.007% (WRMS)
• Platter: 12 inch, aluminum, 3.7 kg, resonance-damped
• Tonearm: Thorens TP 160 with knife-edge bearing
• Effective tonearm length: 232.8 mm
• Effective tonearm mass: 18 g
• Overhang: 17.8 mm, offset angle: 23.66°
• Anti-skating: spring
• Cartridge: not included
• Outputs: RCA and balanced (XLR), cannot be used in parallel
• Plinth: sandwich construction with aluminum top plate, three height-adjustable sprung feet
• Finish: Gloss Black
• Power supply: external plug-in power supply 24 V DC, optional TPN 124 linear power supply
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 450 × 155 × 368 mm
• Weight: 12.5 kg
• Included: turntable, 24 V DC plug-in power supply, dust cover, manual

Frequently asked questions

Does the Thorens TD 404 DD come with a cartridge?

No. The TD 404 DD is deliberately supplied without a cartridge so you decide for yourself — the TP 160 tonearm with 18 g effective mass gets along well with a wide range of MM and MC cartridges. We advise you on the right combination and mount and adjust the cartridge on request.

What are the TD 404 DD's XLR outputs good for?

They transmit the phono signal in balanced form and are therefore less sensitive to interference — ideal with a balanced phono stage like the Thorens MC 1600. Alternatively, gold-plated RCA outputs with a grounding connection are available. According to Thorens, both outputs cannot be used at the same time.

Can the TD 404 DD also play 78 rpm shellac records?

Yes, alongside 33 1/3 and 45 it also handles 78 rpm, electronically switchable. Speed can be fine-tuned via pitch control and the built-in strobe. For shellac, a matching stylus profile is also recommended — we're happy to advise you on that too.

What does the optional TPN 124 power supply bring to the TD 404 DD?

The linear TPN 124 was originally developed for the TD 124 DD and provides a cleaner, more stable power supply than the standard plug-in unit. The TD 404 DD plays excellently even without it — the TPN 124 is an upgrade, not a requirement. Ask us if you want to retrofit it later.

Why buy the Thorens TD 404 DD at HD Zürisee?

Because a turntable without a cartridge is only half the job — and we take care of the other half: selecting a matching cartridge, mounting it, adjusting it, checking the chain. Our technician delivers and sets it up on-site on request. And we answer questions even years later, direct from Wädenswil.

Pairs well with

The TD 404 DD comes without a cartridge — you'll find the right one in the cartridge selection, from MM to MC. A good (ideally balanced) phono stage is a must; get in touch and we'll show you what fits your chain. More from Thorens, alternatives under all turntables.