What would be the best "attainable" Denon turntabl

I missed the memo when Denon discontinued the DP 500M, but I found a couple of vendors who still have them at around the old retail price.

Johnny, Do you use the 500M? If you do, and if you like it, then fine. But others have roundly criticized its quality of construction and performance here and elsewhere. However, Denon did just start to market a souped up audiophile version that might be interesting. In the main, however, the best Denon tables are vintage, IMO. It will be interesting to see whether the DP500M or its upscale counterpart can draw the attention of SL1200-lovers, now that SL1200 is discontinued.

10-06-10: Lewm
Johnny, Do you use the 500M? If you do, and if you like it, then fine. ...

Nope. I was answering the OP's original question about an available, affordable Denon DD (I presume) turntable. Denon has a new $2500 anniversary model out there, but since he was wanting something well under that, I figured the next best bet (unless you stumble onto a 25-yr-old one in excellent shape) would be a DP 500 M.

To answer your question, I have a Technics SL1210 M5G (upgraded tonearm wire) that I bought for $500 when they were plentiful. I've done some aftermarket tweaks, most very inexpensive and all aimed at dampening and controlling resonances (mat, feet, trough, headshell, arm wrap, isolation platform). I cannot believe how good this turntable can sound. I go to my local Brit-oriented high end shop and come away largely unimpressed by their Regas and Roksans. Not that those aren't good 'tables, but they don't tempt me to change rigs in the least. A couple years ago I was thinking of getting a Denon DP 500M, but the A-goners familiar with it implored me to stick with the Technics. I'm really glad I did, but am sorry that its continued production no longer fits Matsushita's business model.

Don't know why the DP500M is so unloved, but the Technics certainly stands as a best buy, by all accounts. (I own vintage types.)

The DP-500M is not a bad table at all. In fact, I like it better than the Technics SL1200. The tonearm in the DP-500M is a joke, a lot of plastic flimsy parts. The table, however, is well built, elegant looking(higher WAF than most), and has very smooth sound. The drive system is a departure from the vintage Denon that it does not use a tapehead to regulate speed. It uses an optical disc underneath the motor for the servo. Pretty clever. Overall, it's fine table for the price..... except the arm.

____