Ballfinger T 002 B – Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder Manufacturer Introduces Its First Vinyl Turntable

German company Ballfinger, best known for its reel-to-reel tape recorders, has expanded its High End audio portfolio and introduced its first vinyl turntable – the Ballfinger T 002 B. For the brand, the new model marks an entry into a new segment, while visually and conceptually continuing Ballfinger’s signature design language: strict minimalism, industrial aesthetics and an emphasis on functionality. In terms of design, the turntable echoes the Ballfinger M 002 P reel-to-reel deck, from which the T 002 B inherits its overall layout logic and characteristic arrangement of controls.

Ballfinger positions the T 002 B as a compact audiophile High End turntable aimed at users who value not only technical specifications, but also the integrity of the engineering concept. The design focuses on ease of use, mechanical stability and precise playback of vinyl records. The model will be available in two finishes: matte silver with grey side panels and an all-black version with a matte black body and black side panels.

The technical development of the turntable was led by Helmut Thiele, an engineer with almost fifty years of experience in designing audiophile vinyl turntables. He has worked on projects for various manufacturers and, in recent years, contributed to the creation of the Thorens New Reference, one of the most ambitious models in Thorens’ modern lineup. The Ballfinger T 002 B will be offered either without a tonearm or in ready-made configurations: with the Thiele TA01 Zero Tracking tangential tonearm or with the classic Zavfino Crossbow TZ-1 radial tonearm.

The construction is based on a massive platform made of cross-laminated bamboo. This material was chosen not only for its visual effect: thanks to its fibrous structure and internal air cavities, bamboo effectively suppresses unwanted vibrations and resonances. Additional damping is provided by a massive weight hidden inside the chassis and fixed via an elastic polymer connection. This architecture is intended to increase the turntable’s mechanical inertia and create more stable conditions for reading the record groove.

For precise horizontal alignment, the Ballfinger T 002 B is equipped with two built-in precision levels located in the upper left corner of the chassis. Adjustment is carried out using three height-adjustable feet. This system is particularly important when using the Thiele TA01 tonearm, for which the correct positioning of the turntable directly affects the precision of the mechanics and tracking accuracy.

The drive is built around a synchronous motor powered by a precisely generated electronic sinusoidal voltage. Torque is transferred to the sub-platter via a precision-ground flat belt. The main bearing uses a 10 mm hardened steel shaft, a bronze bushing, a ceramic ball and a Delrin ring support. According to the manufacturer, this design keeps speed deviation within no more than 0.020%.

One of the key configurations of the Ballfinger T 002 B is fitted with the Thiele TA01 Zero Tracking tonearm. It combines the rigidity of a three-point construction with the principle of tangential tracking, allowing tracking error to be minimized. Its maximum stated value is just 0.036 degrees. The tonearm’s dual tube is filled with a two-component damping gel, while the effective mass is 14 g. For this version, the manufacturer recommends the Ortofon MC Verismo and Ortofon MC 90X cartridges.

The alternative version is equipped with the Zavfino Crossbow TZ-1 radial tonearm. Its structure is made from 6061 aluminium with a ceramic coating, while the damped counterweight is made from SUS-303 stainless steel. The tonearm uses a miniature precision needle bearing and oil-gel damping, intended to improve tracking stability on complex musical passages. The effective mass of the Crossbow TZ-1 is 15 g, and the recommended cartridge for this configuration is the Ortofon MC 90X.

Sales of the Ballfinger T 002 B are expected to begin in Europe in June 2026. The estimated recommended retail price of the version without a tonearm will be around €16,000.