Thorens TD 402 DD Turntable, High-Gloss Black

The Thorens TD 402 DD is a direct-drive turntable with the carbon TP 72 tonearm, a switchable MM phono preamp, plus auto-start and auto-stop.

It was Thorens' first direct-drive turntable in about three decades — and it showed the brand back then that you can be a real Thorens even without a belt. Unpack, set the counterweight, drop the record. No more ceremony needed.

Why the TD 402 DD?

Because direct drive delivers exactly what you get it for: torque and speed stability. The platter is up to speed in a second and stays there. Add to that the TP 72 tonearm with carbon tube and detachable headshell — light, stiff, and open to later upgrades. Auto-start lowers the arm, auto-stop lifts it off again at the end. Both can be switched off if you'd rather do it yourself. The phono preamp too: once a better phono input comes along, you switch it off.

What you hear

A mature, punchy drive — the direct drive pushes dynamic passages with an effortlessness that many belt-drive peers in this class need a moment to muster. The Audio-Technica AT-VM95E with elliptical stylus traces cleanly, without ever turning harsh. And if you later swap just the stylus for a finer cut, the whole turntable steps up again. There's barely a cheaper upgrade.

Who is the TD 402 DD for?

For anyone who wants convenience without compromising on the drive — and for anyone whose arm has already ended up in the run-out groove once because they fell asleep. Also a clean choice for a demanding second system.

Plain talk: if you don't need the automation and would rather put every franc into platter and tonearm, the TD 403 DD is the better fit — it has the heavier platter and the significantly better arm, but no convenience features. Honestly: you don't get both at once in this price class.

Our verdict

The TD 402 DD is the turntable for people who love vinyl but don't feel like ceremony. It takes work off your hands without costing you sonically — and that's considerably harder to build than it sounds. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we set it up ready to play for you, including correctly set tracking force.

Technical data

• Operation: manual with auto-start and auto-stop (switchable off)
• Drive: direct drive, DC motor
• Speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, electronically switchable
• Platter: aluminum, damped
• Tonearm: Thorens TP 72 with carbon tube, detachable headshell
• Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT-VM95E (MM), elliptical stylus
• Phono preamp: integrated (MM), switchable off
• Anti-skating: present
• Output: RCA
• Plinth: solid MDF, top plate in brushed aluminum
• Finish: high-gloss black
• Power supply: external plug-in power supply, 24 V DC
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 420 × 141 × 355 mm
• Weight: 5.8 kg
• Included: turntable, plug-in power supply, dust cover (acrylic), RCA cable, Thorens rubber mat, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

What does direct drive bring to the Thorens TD 402 DD?

The motor drives the platter directly, with no belt in between. This results in very high speed stability and strong torque — the platter is practically up to speed instantly. It also eliminates the belt as a wear part that needs replacing. Thorens designed the drive to run remarkably quietly despite its power.

Can I switch off auto-start and auto-stop on the TD 402 DD?

Yes. Both automatic functions can be deactivated if you'd rather guide the tonearm yourself. Likewise, the built-in MM phono preamp can be switched off — so you can move to an external phono input at any time, without the automation or the internal stage getting in the way.

What's the difference between the TD 402 DD and TD 403 DD?

The TD 403 DD has the significantly heavier platter (1.4 kg) and the audiophile TP 150 tonearm with SME headshell, plus a factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Blue. In exchange, it does without a phono preamp and automation. In short: 402 for convenience, 403 for purism. Both share the same drive.

Do I need a phono preamp for the TD 402 DD?

No, an MM phono preamp is built in. You can connect the turntable directly to any line-level input. If you already have a good phono input or an external phono stage, you simply switch off the internal one and use the better path — the TD 402 DD is prepared for both.

Why buy the Thorens TD 402 DD at HD Zürisee?

Because we know which devices hold up in everyday use and which only look good in the brochure. We check tracking force and anti-skating before handover, deliver and set it up on-site on request. And when a stylus is due for replacement later, you'll still have a contact in Wädenswil.

Goes well with

The cheapest sonic leap: a finer stylus or a better cartridge from our cartridge selection — Audio-Technica's VM95 series makes this particularly easy. You'll find record care and accessories at Thorens. To compare: all turntables. The factory-mounted Audio-Technica AT-VM95E is also available from us separately — as a replacement or second cartridge.