THORENS TD 403 DD > Fidelity Magazine review
Gunter Kürten has been running Thorens on his own for a good four years now. During this time, the portfolio of the traditional brand has grown steadily in breadth and depth. Even though belt-driven turntables have always made up the majority of the equipment produced, one should not forget that Thorens is the inventor of the direct-drive turntable, not some Japanese tinkering shop.
Back to the topic. Direct-drive turntables have slipped into the background during the vinyl hype of recent years. In my opinion, the directness and grip of a direct-drive turntable compared to a lightweight belt-driven turntable, regardless of whether it is integrated into the board or spring-mounted, has an appeal that should not be underestimated. My 1210 is currently equipped with a Nagaoka MP 500 in a modified Thorens headshell and regularly makes other test subjects pale in comparison. And me quite happy.
For me, the Thorens TD403DD is the best value for money model in the Thorens range at just under 1400 Euros, I feel it is more than worth its price. Low-maintenance direct drive with sophisticated motor control, without subchassis, but with the TP 150 tonearm, cream of the fine mechanics in the chic of the seventies, which already left a more than positive impression in the TD 1500, which is to be classified again a class above the 403 DD. Delivered with pre-mounted MM cartridge Ortofon Blue, sturdy cover and – surprise, surprise – a sufficiently long as well as halfway trustworthy power supply. A set of signal cables including a separate ground wire is included, which guarantees hum-free contact between the RCA jacks of the TD 403 DD and the inputs on the NAD. Further points of contact with the outside world are the four – unfortunately not height-adjustable – plastic feet, whose soft material is supposed to have a dampening effect on microscopic interference. If you want to put a 403 DD in your living room, you don’t really have a choice. It is only available in high gloss, whether this reflects the light in black or reddish wood makes no difference in the result. The quality of the finish is absolutely flawless and underscores the reputation that a Thorens is always a touch fancier, a bit classier than the masses.
With the TD 403 DD, Thorens mastermind Gunter Kürten and his developers have once again succeeded in creating a package that plays on par even in a direct comparison with considerably more expensive turntables. Thanks to a maintenance-free drive, flawless finish and timeless design, it’s hard to complain about anything here if you’re seriously interested in vinyl.