Vintage Denon Direct Drive Turntable

Photos of my Denon DP80 in 2" slate slab w/Triplanar and Koetsu Urushi, plus a photo of my SP10 Mk2A in a similar slab with RS-A1 and Ortofon MC7500. Are now posted on my system site, since I don't know how to post them right here.

Dear Lew: That Denon looks gorgeous, good job and good listening too.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Thanks, Raul. It is as simple as simple gets, just slate, turntable chassis, and tonearm. No armboards, no fancy suspension. Right now I am using 2x2x2 inch slate cubes for "feet", but I would like to introduce something with a little compliance. The Denon is sitting on a damped granite slab, as per Adona, on an Adona equipment rack, with which I am pleased. Adona damps the granite by adhering it to what appears to be a slab of high density MDF. This takes the ringing out of the granite. The Technics is sitting on a 1" thick slate shelf. I may have more slate shelves made; it works well on the Adona rack. I plan to mount the Dyna DV505 on the Technics slab. Eventually, I will have the Lenco in slate up and running.

Lew, beautiful job. You encourage me to check out stone dealers here in So. Cal. but I don't expect much of a selection in slate. It occurred to me that some of the potential sonic benefits of slate might be gained by using a 1" thick slate base under the plinth. That would be much easier and cheaper than cutting/shaping the slate for the full plinth build.

Also I do think you've identified a critical point regarding the mechanical integrity of arm mounting. I note my EPA-100 arm has two rubber washers to place above and below the arm mounting surface. I will replace those with brass or stainless washers whenever I finally finish my SP-10 plinth.

Happy listening!

You could probably get a Pennsylvania slate slab shipped to you in SoCal from my supplier. If you're interested contact me off-line. They are in Pen Argyll, PA. And yes, I do like the slate shelf under the slate plinth for the SP10. I only bought one of them so am using the stock Adona granite/MDF shelf under the Denon. Can I hear any difference related to the shelves? Nah; I don't know the difference between the two tts yet. Listening to Art Pepper + Eleven last night. The Denon/Triplanar/Koetsu had me tapping my feet.