My interest in the improving quality of ChiFi designs also came into play and a couple of names surfaced including the Thorens TD 402 and 403 - well regarded DD examples from a respected brand. A mention in a review said that these are manufactured by a specialist company called Hanpin in Taiwan who use the same direct-drive motor in another model they produce for the Japanese company TEAC. Now TEAC is a name I know from their refined domestic and professional equipment - especially cassette and CD players. A brand with a serious reputation for build and quality. So I went and had a look at their turntable, the TEAC TN 4D SE.

The Hanpin DD motor is a slimline design, meant to run silently and eliminate 'cogging', that makes this TT rather less bulky than other direct-drive models. The arm is specially-made by another Japanese company called SAEC, who are well-known in high-end circles; this arm is used on other turntables from TEAC including the top-of-the-line TN-5BB. Personally I reckon this arm looks better than the carbon-fibre one used on the Thorens decks. Further included is a pre-fitted Sumiko Oyster cartridge and an inbuilt phono amp and USB-out.
Reviews of the TN-4D-SE are generally very favourable and I like the idea of a turntable that can be used in a variety of installations (with its own phono-stage) and can directly hook up to a computer for any vinyl-ripping activities. Also - the clincher - the TEAC deck is half the price (on Amazon) of the Thorens. So I have just pushed the button and the Credit Card can take the strain.
There are some comments about the limitations of the Sumiko Oyster cartridge - although it is a favourably-viewed budget model. So an upgrade is already under consideration - probably from the same Sumiko stable. We'll see. The deck should be arriving next week - something to look forward to as there are no holiday plans this summer.

PS:
The TEAC TN-4D-SE is also available in a chique high-gloss, piano-black finish, but I preferred the 'friendlier' look of the walnut veneer version. Also there is a TN-3B model which is the same deck & arm but with belt-drive.
