[arthurs]

Anyone have much experience or knowledge about these?  Specifically which years or models are better than others?  Thanks

[Toka]

I've played with a few over the years...the higher in number you go up the "DP" line from the 1980's (like DP-62L), the better they got. Gorgeous decks, among the nicest ever made IMO. Directly compared with some of the better Sony's and JVC's of the area, they weren't my favorite, but it was a slight difference, not anything of real substance. Of course, this one would be the granddaddy:

http://www.thevintageknob.org/DENON/DP100M/DP100M.html

Good luck finding that one! 

[TheChairGuy]

In the integrated decks that Denon produced (that is, those with complete package including arm), the 47-and-up DP series is likely the best made.  Those had electronic servo arms (called Q-damping) that damped in both horizontal and vertical planes.  Really, a significant bonus to getting vinyl really right is critically damping for both cartridge and arm interaction.  As a turntable is primarily a mechanical device - you need to insure complte compatibility between arm and cartridge to get the best from it. 

It's the two digit DP-series...ie., DP-47, DP-51, DP-60, DP-61, DP-62, DP-71, etc that have the q-damp arms...and most (if not all) have very attractive rosewood detail.  The new Denon's are realtive crud that Denon of old surpassed 30 years ago.  The ones made at the height of vinyl (1977 - 1985 or so) are normally the best of the lot...tho Denon produced some better decks into the 90's (unlike most other Japanese deck makers)

http://www.vinylengine.com/library.php?make=Denon

As with any DD deck, you still need to deal with the inherent weakness in them.....that the motor, and all of it's vibrational energy, is transmitted directly to the platter and on to your record, stylus and system.  Damping the platter is a must to get great tunes from a DD machine - equal to pricier belt drive models (which have inherently superior isolation via a rubber belt, et al).  Once you do that well - you're in business 

[arthurs]

Thnaks for the replies guys.  I'm just toying with the idea, have a minty DP-62L (Rosewood) close to me for around $600 and thought it might be interesting.  Is damping the platter a relatively simple process?  I was also wondering about having someone remove the fixed rca's and replacing them with jacks, wouldn't guess that's too hard either for a decent tech.

[TheChairGuy]

Damping the platter is a cinch - if I did it, I assure you anybody can 

I like Dupli-color UC103 spray undercoat....it's fast drying, rubberized formula damps ringing metal parts.  There are many makes of these kinda' things - the specialist ones positioned for the autosound markets are priced 2x as high.  Those for car DIY and autobody shops, like the Dupli-color are cheaper and likely work the same.

Once you damp the underside platter (assuming there are no magnetic strips in the Denons that you will interfere with)...you need a subplatter mat on top of the platter (the constrained layer Isoplatmat for $99 on Audiogon seems ideal) and your choice of top mat (which needs to interface with your record).  The Herbie's mat, for $60, is very capable for the money 

I don't know if $600 for the DP-62L (which def has the great q-damped arm) is a good price or not.  They come up on ebay from t-t-t...you may wanna' check prices out there first.

Any deck of any design likely improves by stuffing as much Plast-i-Clay in the innards...those Denons are large...they may take as much as 10-12 lbs. of the stuff inside 

Given the rediculously low voltages from a cartridge, the less rca's the better I think.  I think adding jacks, instead of leaving the affixed dangling interconnects, will add one more rca junction for the feeble voltages to pass over...likely to the detriment of the sound.  A balanced / XLR connection from the TT to your pre-amplification/phono stage is probably the best idea of all...followed by just leaving the current dangling fixed interconnects alone.  It's also the cheapest option of them all 

[marvda1]

as i recall denons have a magnetic ring around the inside of the platter, i'll have to get mine out of the attic to check.

[arthurs]

what model do you have Marvin?

[hurdy_gurdyman]

I have a Denon DP-75 on an after-market floating chassis/plinth. It didn't come with a tonearm, and was available that way in a 1983 Audio Magazine I have. The table listed for $600 and the after-market plinth was $200. That would be a lot more in today's money. The plinth has a heavy wooden base with a heavier floating sub-chassis made from layers of some kind of lead alloy and Masonite-like material. I mounted an old VM Professional arm on it that I liked (had to cut an irregular opening in the sub-chassis; what a job!) I plan on keeping mine. This is my back-up unit if my old Rek-O-Kut Rondine B-12 ever fails.

The Denon DP-75 is a great table. I could be happy with just this one.

Dave

[Lyndon]

Dave,
Could you post some pictures of your two turntables?  I would like to see them.
Are you the same Hurdy Gurdy from the Decware forums?  Just curious, as his avatar would be perfect for Columbus Day yesterday.

[hurdy_gurdyman]

Dave,
Could you post some pictures of your two turntables?  I would like to see them.
Are you the same Hurdy Gurdy from the Decware forums?  Just curious, as his avatar would be perfect for Columbus Day yesterday.

That'd be me. Here's some pics I have at a couple of locations.

http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=34

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12271467@N03/1528757238/

Dave aa

[TheChairGuy]

Dave - you're something of a forum 'ho...I know you spend time at Vinyl Engine, too   

[Lyndon]

Now, now Chair Guy, or should we change your avatar to "Basket Case"

But your right, he has been "everywhere on the forum back streets"

I like that Rek-O-Kut a lot, Dave.  Thanks for the photo link.  Now if you can just upgrade that tube amp on the side, eh?

[hurdy_gurdyman]

Now, now Chair Guy, or should we change your avatar to "Basket Case"

But your right, he has been "everywhere on the forum back streets"

I like that Rek-O-Kut a lot, Dave.  Thanks for the photo link.  Now if you can just upgrade that tube amp on the side, eh?

I've thought about upgrading the tube amp (TAD-60). Maybe I should replace it with my old Marantz 2275 receiver?  Actually, I have a new pair of speaker wires (MAC) on the way that may be an improvement, if you are one who believes in wires making a difference. I didn't used to, but I've been changing my mind lately. It's amazing what you can hear as the equipment gets better than much of the garage sale stuff I had a few years ago.

I love the R.O.K. turntable. This thing ROCKS! I'd like to stumble onto a tonearm that fits the original mounting hole. I'd be tempted to try a Denon 103 MC if I had an arm it would work in. I can't picture it working in the Black Widow arm.

Dave (the forum ho)