Thorens TD 404 DD at a glance
Thorens has been a name in fine record playback since 1883, and the Thorens TD 404 DD carries that Swiss heritage into a modern direct drive design. Rather than the sub chassis suspended belt drive found on the classic TD 1500 and TD 1600 series, the TD 404 DD uses an electronically controlled DC direct-drive motor that turns the platter without an intermediate belt. This is the same core philosophy that Thorens revived for the flagship TD 124 DD, brought to a more accessible and approachable deck.
The result is a turntable that feels immediate and unfussy in daily use, with speed handled electronically rather than by moving a belt. It plays 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, and you select speed at the touch of a control rather than by lifting the platter.
The technology that defines it
Electronically controlled direct drive
Direct drive places the platter directly on the motor spindle, so the motor drives the record with no belt in between. Thorens uses an electronically controlled DC motor here, which manages rotation with a focus on stable, consistent speed. This design goal favors quick startup and steady pitch, which is a slightly different priority from the suspended belt drive approach in the Thorens TD 1500, where isolation through a suspended sub chassis is the guiding idea. Neither is inherently superior; they simply pursue accurate playback by different routes.
The Thorens TP 160 tonearm
The TD 404 DD is fitted with the Thorens TP 160 tonearm, part of the respected TP series. A good tonearm is what lets a cartridge track a groove cleanly and translate that motion into music, and the TP 160 gives you a stable, well engineered platform for the cartridge you choose.
You choose the cartridge
Worth stating clearly: the TD 404 DD does not include a cartridge. You select your own, which is part of the appeal for listeners who already have a preference or who want to voice the system to their taste. The output is RCA at line level, so connecting it to a phono stage and amplifier is straightforward.
Sound and performance character
Direct drive decks like the TD 404 DD tend to present music with a sense of drive and rhythmic steadiness, thanks to that electronically controlled motor holding speed. Because you choose the cartridge, much of the final character rests in your hands. Pair it with a smooth, refined moving coil and you lean toward warmth and body; choose a more resolving cartridge and you emphasize detail and precision. The TP 160 tonearm is the constant that lets whichever cartridge you pick do its job.
Where it sits in the Thorens range
Within the Thorens direct drive family, the TD 404 DD is a natural step up from the Thorens TD 403 DD, sharing the direct drive concept in a compact form. Above it sits the Thorens TD 124 DD, the modern reinterpretation of the celebrated 1957 TD 124, and the even more comprehensive Thorens TD 124 DD Exclusive. Within a Thorens range, the higher models legitimately offer more in build and execution, so those are worth considering if you want to reach further.
If your preference runs toward the suspended belt drive tradition instead, look at the Thorens TD 1500, the Thorens TD 1600 and the Thorens TD 1601, the last of which adds balanced XLR output. These pursue playback through isolation and belt drive rather than direct drive, a matter of design philosophy and personal taste.
How it compares to other decks we carry
If you are weighing the TD 404 DD against other turntables in our showroom, each has its own point of view. The Luxman PD-151 Mark II and its Centennial Edition are belt drive designs with a distinct Luxman sensibility, while the Yamaha GT-5000 is a high mass belt drive statement deck. The MoFi MasterDeck and the Dual CS 718Q each bring their own approach as well. The choice comes down to which design goal and character speaks to you, not to one being better than another.
Building a system around it
Cartridge
Since you supply the cartridge, this is where you shape the sound. The Audio Technica AT-ART20 dual moving coil is a resolving, detailed choice. If you prefer the Ortofon house sound, the Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze and the Ortofon MC Cadenza Black offer moving coil refinement, and the Luxman LMC-5 MC cartridge is another well regarded option to audition.
Phono stage
Because the TD 404 DD outputs line level RCA, you will want a dedicated phono preamplifier for your cartridge. The Luxman E-250 is a refined, flexible match, while the Parasound JC3+, also available in a limited silver finish, offers a quiet, capable moving coil ready foundation.
Amplifier
For an integrated amplifier to tie the system together, the Advance Paris A12 Classic Integrated Amplifier makes a sensible and enjoyable partner for a deck of this character.
Come listen
AEA is an authorized Thorens dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Demo units rotate and not every model is always set up, so please reach out to us to arrange a listen to the TD 404 DD and to talk through the cartridge and system that suits you best.