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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
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
2channel8
758 posts
 
If anyone is still subscribing to this thread, how would the DP-1200 or DP-1700 stack up to the other models mentioned here? I've been a belt user all my life and would like to try a fun DD as my second table.
yyman23 OP
148 posts
 
Hi 2channel8,

I ended up getting the Technics 1200, then traded for a 1210 (same table, black exterior). And I've enjoyed it ever since. From what I read, a lot of the Denon tables from the time have a lot of parts that are proprietary and if they break you're SOL. That's what happens to the Denon I was testing. 
What I like best about the 1210, other than sound and ease of use - it is a tank. It always runs. Very solid unit. So, 2.5 years after the original thread, I highly recommend a Technics 1200. 
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