Thorens TD 204
Manual belt-drive Thorens turntable, fitted with a switchable built-in phono preamp and an elliptical cartridge, for direct listening without a dedicated phono stage.
Description
The Thorens TD 204 is a manual belt-drive turntable, driven by a DC motor. Rotation speed selection, 33-1/3 or 45 rpm, is made via a switch located at the front left of the turntable. Its analogue stereo audio output passes through gold-plated RCA connectors.
The MM phono preamp built into the chassis is switchable: it allows the turntable to be connected directly to a stereo amplifier, a hi-fi system or even a pair of wireless speakers lacking a phono input, or to be deactivated to pass through the phono input of an amplifier or an external phono preamp. The fitted cartridge is equipped with an elliptical diamond, with a 0.39 x 0.71 mil tip bonded to a round-section tube, and an aluminium cantilever. Its frequency response spans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with an output voltage of 4 mV at 1 kHz for a velocity of 5 cm/sec, and a recommended vertical tracking force of 1.5 to 2.5 g, 2 g at standard setting.
- Rotation speed: 33-1/3 and 45 rpm, variation of +/-2%
- Wow and flutter: 0.2%
- Channel separation: 20 dB at 1 kHz, balance 2 dB
- Recommended load impedance: 47 kOhms, capacitance 100-200 pF
This turntable is aimed at enthusiasts who are discovering vinyl listening or who want a solution that is simple to integrate into an existing system, thanks to its switchable built-in phono preamp, which allows several connection configurations.
Technical specifications
| Rotation speed | 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm |
| Rotation speed variation | +/-2% |
| Wow and flutter | 0.2% |
| Analogue stereo audio output | gold-plated RCA connectors |
| Finish | Glossy brown |
| Diamond type | elliptical |
| Tip dimensions | 0.39 x 0.71 mil (thousandth of an inch) |
| Tip assembly | bonded to round-section tube |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Channel separation | 20 dB at 1 kHz |
| Channel balance | 2 dB |
| Output voltage | 4 mV at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec |
| Vertical tracking angle | 23° |
| Vertical tracking force | 1.5 to 2.5 g (standard 2 g) |
| Static compliance | 20 x 10 -6 cm / dyne |
| Dynamic compliance | 6.5 x 10 -6 cm / dyne (100 Hz) |
| Coil material | TPC copper |
| Recommended load impedance | 47 kOhms |
| Recommended load capacitance | 100-200 pF |
| Coil inductance | 400 mH at 1 kHz |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 420 x 355 x 121 mm |
| Weight | 3.9 kg |
What to check before buying used
The drive belt is the part to check first on this type of turntable: a slack or cracked belt caused by age leads to speed variations or the platter stopping. The supplied elliptical cartridge also deserves a check of its wear condition, as the stylus is a consumable part that loses precision over hours of play. It is worth testing the speed switch as well as the operation of the built-in phono preamp in both activated and bypassed positions, to ensure that both output modes work correctly.
Looking for this reference: TD 204 ?
Tell us what you are looking for: our merchants are notified, and one of them may have it in stock.