Excerpted from 《Audiotechnique》

At last year’s Munich High-End Show, the pioneering turntable brand Thorens unveiled two eye-catching new models: the TD 124 DD Exclusive and the TD 404 DD. The latter is the mid-priced reference-grade direct-drive turntable I specifically chose to review, aiming to see how this 143-year-old brand integrates modern technology into its classic designs.

Inheriting Flagship Direct-Drive Technology
Weighing in at 12.5kg, the TD 404 DD’s core is a high-torque direct-drive motor system derived from the legendary TD 124 DD. It provides smooth rotational torque and nearly negligible wow and flutter – a critical factor. In my vinyl experience, platter stability is a key determinant of a turntable’s sonic performance, especially for direct-drive models. Without the buffering effect of a belt or magnetic field (as in magnetic-drive designs), any flutter directly distorts the sound. To control resonance, the turntable uses a sandwich construction: a 5mm thick aluminium top plate, and three spring-loaded feet underneath that isolate external vibrations and allow for height and level adjustment.

The tonearm included with the TD 404 DD is no ordinary component. It’s the TP 160, designed by the renowned Helmut Thiele. With an effective length of 9.1 inches and ultra-precision knife-edge bearings, it offers extremely low friction and smooth tracking. It also features an SME headshell, making cartridge swapping easy.

The TD 404 DD offers both single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs – the latter is useful when the turntable is placed far from the phono stage. Since I was using the Wonder Audio Labs P1 Deluxe phono stage right next to the turntable, RCA connection was perfectly fine. For this review, I used a pair of Dutch Crystal Cable Ultra2 Diamond cables, which worked exceptionally well. While not an inexpensive investment, this interconnect significantly affects sound quality, so it shouldn’t be overlooked.

Electronic Lift and Auto Stop
The TD 404 DD features an electronic tonearm lift function – meaning you can lower the stylus via a button. When one side finishes playing and the stylus reaches the “dead wax” area, the tonearm automatically lifts and the platter stops spinning. For vinyl enthusiasts, this is highly convenient: the stylus descent is very smooth, landing on the groove with just the right force, and if you forget to lift the tonearm after a side, it never lets the stylus rub against the record for long – beneficial for stylus longevity.

A Change in Character
The cartridge I used was the Japanese Kondo IO-M moving coil, which I have treasured for over a decade. Its signature traits are delicacy, transparency, airiness – light and nimble on vocals and violins, though not as dynamic as the modern German Acoustical Systems Palladian XO boron. But when I mounted the IO-M on the TP 160 tonearm, its character seemed to change.

For instance, when I played a recording of Mozart piano concertos by Horowitz and Giulini, the combined properties of the TD 404 DD’s direct-drive platter and the short 9.1-inch TP 160 arm enhanced the IO-M’s dynamic performance. Horowitz’s powerful keyboard work came through with thrilling authority, the piano sounding like scattered pearls. Yet both piano and orchestra remained highly transparent, with a quiet background – a remarkable achievement for a direct-drive turntable…