84%
Thorens TD 202
Features
The integrated phono stage includes an additional analogue/digital converter with USB out. So the record played will be automatically digitized and can easily be recorded on a computer using several kinds of recording software that can be downloaded from the web.
New TD 202 completes the new series of manual plug and play turntables. Compared with its “smaller” brother TD 201 it comes with a more massive plinth and a AT 95E cartridge.
Important Note: The TD 202 is not available in North America!
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Professional Reviews 84/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
85/100
Build Quality
83/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
78/100
The TD 202 makes vinyl feel immediately inviting, pairing natural vocal presence and a lively rhythmic flow with excellent speed stability and low rumble. Its built-in phono stage and USB output make playback and archiving wonderfully simple, while HiFi News highlights its clean, open character. A compelling, upgrade-friendly gateway to serious record listening.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Engaging, clean and open presentation with natural vocal texture and energetic rhythm.
Excellent speed stability, very low rumble and secure cartridge tracking inspire confidence for a budget USB turntable.
Built-in phono stage and USB output provide easy connection to line-level systems and convenient vinyl digitisation.
&
Cons
Standard setup can sound lightweight or cloudy, with limited soundstage openness and bass focus.
Supplied cartridge and rubber mat leave meaningful sonic gains available through upgrades.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 85/100
The TD 202 is widely described as an engaging, easy-going listen with a particularly capable midband, natural vocals and lively rhythmic momentum. Its excellent reported speed stability and low rumble support enjoyable playback, although the supplied cartridge, mat and phono stage leave clear room for improvement in refinement, focus and spatial openness.
Overall Sound
84/100
HiFi News found a clean, open and peppy presentation with natural vocal texture, energetic keyboards and music that flows well; it also praised the deck's engaging, insightful character through an external phono stage. Against that, both reviewers heard some cloudiness or shut-in quality, while The Audiophile Man noted strident upper mids, splashy cymbals and less-than-precise bass with the standard setup.
Speed Stability
90/100
HiFi News explicitly reports excellent speed stability and says the deck inspires more confidence than typical budget USB record players. The available reviews do not report pitch wander or speed drift, although one reviewer considered the lightweight platter and basic mat a limitation elsewhere in the design.
Tonearm Performance
80/100
The TP 71 arm is a practical straight-arm design with a locking headshell collet, and HiFi News says the supplied AT-95E tracks securely. However, the same review detected some bearing play during hand cueing, and The Audiophile Man recommends moving beyond the supplied cartridge for a clearly audible improvement.
Noise Isolation
84/100
HiFi News measured or observed very low rumble, a welcome result for a budget belt-drive deck. The Audiophile Man found that a better mat lowered noise further and improved overall control, suggesting the standard platter-and-mat arrangement is competent rather than fully optimized.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
83/100
Reviewers regard the TD 202 as a proper hi-fi turntable rather than a fashion-led plastic player, with a die-cast aluminium platter, supportive rubber mat and an unusually substantial acrylic dustcover for its class. The plinth is described as decent rather than heavyweight, while the light platter and modest overall 3.9kg mass make clear that this is built to a budget.
Features Usability
91/100
The TD 202 combines a built-in phono stage and USB output with an included AT-95E cartridge, making it straightforward to connect to line-level systems, active speakers or a computer. HiFi News calls it easy to set up and sees it as an approachable first serious turntable, though an external phono stage is recommended when sound quality becomes the priority.
Value for Money
78/100
At around £599, HiFi News positions the TD 202 as a feature-equipped alternative to entry-level models such as the Rega Planar 1. The Audiophile Man considers price the principal issue, arguing that buyers focused purely on sound quality should look elsewhere, while those who value the lifestyle features and appearance may find it appealing.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Thorens TD 202
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Ajasom — online and in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
and 132 more verified dealers