Thorens TD 403 DD Turntable, High-Gloss Black

The Thorens TD 403 DD is a purist direct-drive turntable with the audiophile TP 150 tonearm, a heavy aluminum platter and a pre-adjusted Ortofon 2M Blue — without phono preamp, without automation.

It shares its drive with the TD 402 DD, but sets itself apart exactly where it matters sonically: a 1.4 kg platter instead of a lightweight one, TP 150 instead of TP 72, Ortofon 2M Blue instead of an entry-level cartridge. Everything that distracts has been left out. This isn't cost-cutting, it's a stance.

Why the TD 403 DD?

Because of the tonearm. The TP 150 otherwise sits in the TD 1500 and is a close relative of the TP 124 from the larger TD 124 DD — 14 g of effective mass, adjustable in height and azimuth, SME headshell. The anti-skating runs via a nylon thread over a ruby bearing; anyone who builds that in means business. Add a 22 mm thick, ground die-cast aluminum platter that simply refuses to allow resonance. STEREO (4/2022) called the result simply excellent.

What you hear

Bass with substance and timing that doesn't argue. The heavy platter on the powerful direct drive holds speed rock-solid — piano strikes stand firm instead of swimming. The Ortofon 2M Blue with bare elliptical diamond noticeably extracts more fine detail from the groove than the usual suspects in this price class. And because no internal phono stage sits in the signal path, you alone decide how high-quality the equalization gets.

Who is the TD 403 DD for?

For listeners with a decent amplifier and ambitions: anyone with a good phono stage, or planning to get one, gets a foundation here that will still carry them in ten years.

Plain talk: the TD 403 DD has no phono preamp and no auto-stop. If your amplifier has no phono input, you'll definitely need an external phono stage — factor that in. And if you like to fall asleep after the last track, reach for the TD 402 DD instead. Honestly: anyone buying this turntable isn't falling asleep anyway.

Our verdict

The TD 403 DD is the point where a turntable stops being a device and starts being an instrument. Almost everything you pay for is in the platter, arm and drive — nothing in convenience electronics. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we set it up precisely and tell you which phono stage really suits it.

Technical data

• Operation: manual, without auto-stop
• Drive: direct drive, DC motor
• Speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, electronically switchable
• Platter: 12 inch, die-cast aluminum, 1.4 kg, 22 mm thick
• Tonearm: Thorens TP 150, effective mass 14 g, adjustable in height and azimuth
• Headshell: detachable, SME connection
• Anti-skating: weight on nylon thread over ruby bearing
• Cartridge: Ortofon 2M Blue (MM), bare elliptical diamond
• Phono preamp: not integrated
• Output: RCA
• Plinth: 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 × 360 mm
• Weight: 7.2 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 403 DD?

Yes. The TD 403 DD deliberately has no built-in phono stage. So you need either a phono input on your amplifier or an external MM phono stage. This omission is exactly what keeps the signal path short and clean — and leaves you the choice of how high-quality your equalization is. We're happy to advise you on this.

What's special about the TD 403 DD's TP 150 tonearm?

The TP 150 is also used in the TD 1500 and is related to the TP 124 of the larger TD 124 DD. It has 14 g of effective mass, is adjustable in height and azimuth, and uses a detachable SME headshell. Anti-skating is guided via a nylon thread over a ruby bearing.

Which cartridge comes with the TD 403 DD?

A pre-adjusted Ortofon 2M Blue with bare elliptical diamond — an MM cartridge that plays clearly above entry level. Thanks to the SME headshell and adjustable tonearm height, you can later mount almost any cartridge, even heavier candidates from 6 to 30 grams.

What's the difference between the TD 403 DD and TD 404 DD?

The TD 404 DD is a class above: the TD 124 DD's motor, TP 160 tonearm with knife-edge bearing, 3.7 kg platter, XLR outputs, electronic lift with auto-stop — but without a cartridge. The TD 403 DD is the purist entry point into the same idea, ready to play from the factory.

Why buy the Thorens TD 403 DD at HD Zürisee?

Because with this turntable, the setup decides the sound — and we do it: tracking force, anti-skating, tonearm height, azimuth. We also tell you which phono stage really suits it, instead of simply recommending the most expensive one. Advice, delivery and service from Wädenswil.

Goes well with

Without an internal phono stage, the external one becomes the key component — we'll show you suitable solutions, from lean to balanced. If the 2M Blue ever feels like too little, you'll find the next step in our cartridge selection. Accessories and record care at Thorens, alternatives under all turntables.