{"product_id":"thorenstd102abl","title":"Thorens TD 102 A Turntable, Gloss Black","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Thorens TD 102 A is a fully automatic turntable with a carbon TP 72 tonearm, a switchable phono preamp and a pre-mounted Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's the bigger sibling of the TD 101 A — and the difference sits exactly where you can hear it: in the tonearm and the cartridge. Everything else stays pleasantly simple: set it up, plug it in, press the button. The arm moves off, finds the groove, lowers, and at the end it tidies itself up again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the TD 102 A?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbon TP 72 tonearm isn't a decorative touch. Carbon is light yet stiff — exactly the combination a tonearm needs so it doesn't get in the cartridge's way. Add to that the Audio-Technica AT VM95E, successor to the legendary AT95E: elliptical stylus, more finesse, more calm in the inner grooves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe phono preamp is built in and switchable. So you can go straight into a line input or active speakers — and later, when an external phono stage joins the system, you simply switch off the internal one. One device, two upgrade stages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you hear\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore detail and more order than its little brother. Voices stand out more clearly, cymbals decay more cleanly, and the inner grooves stay sorted for longer — that's exactly where the VM95E's elliptical stylus earns its keep. The 12-inch, 700-gram aluminum platter keeps the speed steady all the while.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportant to know: the TD 102 A doesn't sound \"hyped up.\" It sounds well organized. If you're expecting a big wow effect, you'll miss it. If you listen for longer, you'll notice that it never gets tiring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the TD 102 A for? (and who isn't it for)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlainly put:\u003c\/strong\u003e the TD 102 A is for people who want convenience, but not cheapness. Full automation plus a carbon arm plus a decent cartridge — that's the honest middle ground between \"just needs to work\" and \"needs to actually deliver.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's not for you if you want to tinker with the turntable, adjust VTA and switch to an MC cartridge with its own step-up stage in two years. In that case, the 1500 or 1600 series is the more honest starting point — there the upgrade path is open, here it's limited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe TD 102 A is the turntable for anyone who already knows they like vinyl — and has no interest in tinkering evenings. For 200 francs more than the 101 A, you get a noticeably better tonearm and a noticeably better cartridge. It's rarely this clear-cut. If you're unsure which of the two versions fits your room, call us at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil — we'll sort it out in five minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: fully automatic turntable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrive: flat belt, internal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotor: electronically controlled DC motor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpeeds: 33 1\/3 and 45 rpm, electronically switchable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlatter: 12\" aluminum, 0.7 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTonearm: Thorens TP 72, carbon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCartridge: Audio-Technica AT VM95E (MM), pre-mounted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhono preamp: built-in, switchable off (MM)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnd-of-record shutoff: automatic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput: RCA with ground terminal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower supply: external 12 V DC plug-in power supply\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColor: Gloss Black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions (W × H × D): 420 × 141 × 355 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 5.4 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncluded: turntable, plug-in power supply, dust cover, RCA cable, instruction manual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the difference between the Thorens TD 101 A and TD 102 A?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe TD 102 A has a carbon TP 72 tonearm instead of the aluminum arm, and the higher-grade Audio-Technica AT VM95E with an elliptical stylus instead of the AT3600. Together, both bring more detail, cleaner inner grooves and more calm. Operation and automation are identical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need an external phono preamp for the TD 102 A?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The phono preamp is built in and switchable, so you connect the TD 102 A directly to a line input or to active speakers. If your amplifier has a phono input, or an external stage joins the system later, you simply switch off the internal one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I upgrade the AT VM95E later?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and it's the cheapest sound upgrade there is. Audio-Technica's VM95 series allows a pure stylus swap: you plug a higher-grade stylus assembly onto the same generator, without having to realign the cartridge. We're happy to work out with you which grade is worth it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow loud is the drive mechanism?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery quiet. The belt runs internally and the DC motor is electronically controlled — at a normal listening distance you won't hear any of it. On a hollow shelf, any turntable can amplify noise, so a stable surface is worth the effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Thorens TD 102 A at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause we'll tell you where the difference to the 101 A really lies — and where it doesn't. We look at what fits your amplifier and speakers, set up the turntable for you on request, and are still there afterward when a new stylus is due. Call us, drop us a message, or stop by for a coffee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/audio-technica-at-vm95e\"\u003eAudio-Technica AT-VM95E\u003c\/a\u003e – the factory-mounted MM cartridge, available separately as a replacement or second cartridge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003eCartridges\u003c\/a\u003e – Audio-Technica VM95 series stylus assemblies as the cheapest upgrade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eTurntables\u003c\/a\u003e – the direct comparison with the TD 101 A, TD 201 and TD 202\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/thorens\"\u003eThorens\u003c\/a\u003e – the whole range, all the way up to the 1600 series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Thorens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989573202256,"sku":null,"price":740.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/thorens-td-102-a-plattenspieler-schwarz-hochglanz-frontansicht.jpg?v=1786784890","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/thorenstd102abl","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}