Thorens TD 201 Turntable, Black High Gloss

The Thorens TD 201 is a manual belt-drive turntable with a switchable MM phono preamp and a factory-mounted Audio-Technica AT-3600 cartridge.

It's the entry point to the 200 series: the same basic idea as the fully automatic TD 101 A, just without the automation — but with the TP 71 tonearm and a removable headshell. For anyone who wants to take vinyl seriously without first scheduling an evening of setup.

Why the TD 201?

Thorens has been pulling music out of grooves for generations, and the TD 201 is the most honest answer to the question of how little you have to spend to have it done right. The platter is solid cast aluminum — no sheet metal, no plastic. The DC motor runs quietly and is cleanly decoupled from the platter via the belt. The MM phono preamp is already built in and can be switched off: if an amplifier with a good phono input joins your setup later, you simply use the better path. No new purchase, no hassle.

What you hear

Quiet. That's the real discipline in this class — no rumble, no motor hum sneaking into quiet passages. Wow and flutter of 0.2% and over 67 dB signal-to-noise ratio are figures you don't hear, but whose absence you enjoy. The Audio-Technica AT-3600 plays composed, with a clean midrange and no intrusive treble. And if you ever want more: pull off the bayonet-mount headshell, fit a better cartridge, done. The TD 201 grows with you.

Who is the TD 201 for?

For anyone starting out with vinyl — or starting again after twenty years of crates in the basement — who wants a device that doesn't need coaxing into working first. Also a clean choice as a second turntable for the office or bedroom.

Straight talk: Anyone who already owns a high-quality phono stage and wants to run MC cartridges is on the wrong base here — then the path leads to the TD 402 DD or straight into the 1500 series. And anyone who needs full automation, because the arm should lift on its own after the last groove, should get the TD 101 A. Hand on heart: manually cueing the record is part of the ritual, not a drawback of it.

Our verdict

The TD 201 isn't a budget model, but a deliberate reduction: everything left out that doesn't affect the sound, everything kept that counts. A turntable you can set up in five minutes and then simply use for years. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil tell you honestly when it's enough — and when you'd be better off reaching one level higher.

Technical specifications

• Drive: belt drive, DC motor
• Speeds: 33⅓ and 45 rpm
• Wow and flutter: max. 0.2%
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 67 dB (A-weighted)
• Platter: cast aluminum, 300 mm (12 inch)
• Tonearm: Thorens TP 71, aluminum, straight, statically balanced
• Effective tonearm length: 223.6 mm
• Headshell: removable, bayonet mount
• Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT-3600 (MM), bonded diamond
• Recommended tracking force: 3.5 g
• Output voltage: 2.5 mV (1 kHz)
• Phono preamp: built-in (MM), switchable off
• Output: RCA, gold-plated
• Power supply: 100–240 V AC, external plug-in power supply
• Power consumption: 1.5 W (< 0.5 W standby)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 420 × 121 × 355 mm
• Weight: 3.9 kg
• Included: turntable, plug-in power supply, dust cover (acrylic), RCA cable, Thorens rubber mat, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a phono preamp for the Thorens TD 201?

No. The MM phono preamp is built into the TD 201, so you can connect it directly to any line-level input on your amplifier. If you already have a phono input or an external phono stage, simply switch off the internal preamp and use the better path — both options are open to you.

Does the TD 201 come with a cartridge?

Yes, an Audio-Technica AT-3600 (MM) is mounted and aligned at the factory. You don't have to adjust anything or buy anything extra. Replacement styli and higher-grade systems from Audio-Technica are available in our cartridges category — thanks to the bayonet headshell, swapping it takes minutes.

Can I mount a better cartridge on the TD 201 later?

Yes. The TP 71 tonearm has a removable bayonet-mount headshell. You pull off the headshell, mount a different MM cartridge and put it back in. Tracking force and anti-skate can be adjusted on the tonearm — on request, we'll set it all up for you.

What's the difference between the TD 201 and the TD 202?

The TD 202 comes with the finer Audio-Technica AT-VM95E and also adds a USB output with an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing records. Mechanically the two are very similar. If you just want to listen, the TD 201 is enough; if you also want to archive, the TD 202 is worth it.

Why buy the Thorens TD 201 at HD Zürisee?

Because we've been setting up turntables for decades and know what holds up in everyday use. We tell you whether your amplifier needs a phono input, how the player fits into your shelf, and when the step up to the next model is really worth it. Advice, delivery and service come from us — Wädenswil, short distances.

Pairs well with

A better cartridge system is the most affordable upgrade with the biggest effect. More Thorens accessories like a stylus cleaner or a record mat keep the player in shape. And if you want to compare where the journey could still go: all turntables. The matching replacement stylus Audio-Technica AT-N3600L for the pre-mounted AT-3600 is best kept on hand right away.