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Denon DP-60L vs Technics 1200 MK III

Hi everyone,
I’d appreciate your opinion on the matter. I’m returning to albums and I’ve decided to purchase a good turntable, in the price range of $500-$600. I have a couple of cheap ones already (Technics SL-23, Realistic LAB440) but there’s nothing exciting about them.

I really do like the Japanese style and looks of the mid 70’s - early 80’s so that’s why I’m singling out the Pro-jects, Rega and so on.

I have a chance to buy either a Denon DP-60L or Technics 1200 MK III. Both in near mint condition.
The Denon is just a beautiful machine, the Technics is a classic. Right now the Denon has a new Rega Carbon cartridge (new) and the Technics a Shure cartridge - middle of the road, nothing too expensive. As far as arms - both of them have stock arms, the Denon has the straight arm, and does not come with the extra S arm.

In listening tests I get gorgeous bass and very clear highs (Maybe a tad harsh - new cartridge) from the Denon, and beautiful rich mids mainly from the Technics. Add a little treble to the Technics and it’s just right.
I love the fact that parts and upgrades for the Technics are easy to find, where all the electronics of the Denon scare me a bit, after reading how hard it is to find any parts.

I've done a lot of reading on both this weekend and I think the majority out there with choose the Technics, but still - the Denon is gorgeous... however - I’m leaning towards the Technics. By the way - I'm getting a better price on the Technics. As far as value - I really want a keeper for a while, so resale value is not as important.

What would you do? (Please don't say "but both" because I can't afford to)

Thank you for your help!
yyman23
lewm
13,271 posts
 
Maintenance of either the Denon or the Technics is and will be no problem, contrary to what's been written here.  In my opinion (only), the Denon is a superior mechanism by a little bit over the Technics, but I am no fan of Denon tonearms.  The notion that a "Rega" is superior to either table is at least open to debate, but in my own opinion, either of these direct drive tables is superior to the typical Rega. (Perhaps the high end Rega turntables are competitive.)  By all accounts, the DP500M may look like the DP60L and others in the vintage Denon line, but it falls far short of the vintage models in performance and build quality.

I agree with mick that the DP80 is a fine turntable.  I had one side by side in my system with a Technics SP10 Mk2, and I've kept the DP80, sold the Mk2.  However, the DP80 is upscale from the DP60L, which was sort of mid-level in the Denon line, as is the SL1200 in the Technics line.  
yyman23 OP
149 posts
 
Thank you for your helpful information everyone. 
I pulled the trigger on the Technics, but then decided I'm keeping the Denon :-)
So, the Technics is going to end at my dad's house and I'm keeping the Denon. When it comes down to it - I did like the bass and highs of the Denon better than the mids of the Technics. I felt it lacked in low low bass.
I wanted to spend $500-$600 on a plug and play and not fiddle and upgrade endlessly. The Denon does it. I just hope it lasts a while.
Then again - I can always find a good 1200. There are a lot of them out there.
timlub
2,041 posts
 
Hard choice, The Denon is just beautiful.....way back when, I sold the Technics, but 90% of them went out of our shop with some type of mod... The one we used in the shop was just tricked out.... incredible amount of damping, litz wired arm with a heat shrink damped arm tube, etc etc... My only time with the Denon was when my brother inherited one not working, he brought it to my house and I disassembled it, found a few issues and made the  repairs.  I really wanted to dive in with at least properly dampening that table,  but never did..... It sounded decent,  I had the stock arm with the S tube,  I mounted an AT440OCC on it.....I would love to keep that beautiful table and if were mine,  I probably would.... add a lot of damping in key areas and a new tonearm cable at minimum,  but I bet they would be on par.  One thing though, that straight arm is a low mass arm and would require a higher compliance cartridge than the technics....Not sure if that would influence your decision,  I would prefer the heavier S tube.  good luck,  hard decision,   Tim 


jimpittsburgh
34 posts
 
Please let me know if you ever decide to sell the Denon. I have a 60L that died due to an unobtainium chip... It was by far my favorite table.... many came and went over the years, but I always kept the 60L .... I'd like to restore it.

Thanks  
jimf42's avatar
jimf42
62 posts
 
I may be biased as I own a DP52F. It works great, sounds great and is reliable
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