{"product_id":"thorenstd102awn","title":"Thorens TD 102 A Turntable, Walnut Gloss","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\u003eIn Walnut Gloss, it's the turntable you don't put away. The wood takes the technical starkness off the device, without making it look like nostalgia decor. And operation stays ruthlessly convenient: 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, the TD 101 A. 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 — the honest middle ground between \"just needs to work\" and \"needs to actually deliver.\" The walnut version is the right one if the turntable lives in the living room, not on a technical shelf.\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\u003eHonestly: a turntable that looks good gets used more often. The TD 102 A in walnut delivers both — the looks that work in a living space, and the carbon arm with the decent cartridge behind it. Which version fits your furniture and your amplifier, we'll figure out with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil 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: Walnut Gloss\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\u003eIs the walnut veneer real?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plinth is finished in Walnut Gloss and lacquered multiple times — hence the deep shine. Dimensions, weight and technology are identical to the black version; it's purely about the look. Which one works better in the room usually comes down to the shelf it sits on.\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":52989573235024,"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-nussbaum-hochglanz-frontansicht.jpg?v=1786784873","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/thorenstd102awn","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}