{"product_id":"thorens-td-402-dd-plattenspieler-schwarz-hochglanz","title":"Thorens TD 402 DD Turntable, High-Gloss Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the TD 402 DD?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the TD 402 DD for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlain talk:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperation: manual with auto-start and auto-stop (switchable off)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrive: direct drive, DC motor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpeeds: 33 1\/3 and 45 rpm, electronically switchable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlatter: aluminum, damped\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTonearm: Thorens TP 72 with carbon tube, detachable headshell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCartridge: Audio-Technica AT-VM95E (MM), elliptical stylus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhono preamp: integrated (MM), switchable off\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnti-skating: present\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput: RCA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlinth: solid MDF, top plate in brushed aluminum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish: high-gloss black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower supply: external plug-in power supply, 24 V DC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions (W × H × D): 420 × 141 × 355 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 5.8 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded: turntable, plug-in power supply, dust cover (acrylic), RCA cable, Thorens rubber mat, instruction manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does direct drive bring to the Thorens TD 402 DD?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I switch off auto-start and auto-stop on the TD 402 DD?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the TD 402 DD and TD 403 DD?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need a phono preamp for the TD 402 DD?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Thorens TD 402 DD at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cheapest sonic leap: a finer stylus or a better cartridge from our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridge selection\u003c\/a\u003e — Audio-Technica's VM95 series makes this particularly easy. You'll find record care and accessories at \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/thorens\"\u003eThorens\u003c\/a\u003e. To compare: \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eall turntables\u003c\/a\u003e. The factory-mounted \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/audio-technica-at-vm95e\"\u003eAudio-Technica AT-VM95E\u003c\/a\u003e is also available from us separately — as a replacement or second cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Thorens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989577003344,"sku":null,"price":890.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/thorens-td-402-dd-plattenspieler-schwarz-hochglanz-frontansicht.png?v=1786784957","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/thorens-td-402-dd-plattenspieler-schwarz-hochglanz","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}