Denon DP80 in a DK-300 Plinth is a simple solid option, there is enough availability/competition, a few people have chosen different arms, or you change to ......... I have only read about them.
Vintage Japanese DD Consult and Suggestions Please
A little over five years ago, I worked with Chris Harban at Woodsong Audio to craft a bespoke Garrard 301 for me and my my vinyl collection. I had previously had a Dual of some model followed by a Thorens TD 160 with a nice Ortofon Black MM cart. The 301 was completely restored featuring a heavy mahogany plinth, Ortofon AS 309S tonearm, and Ortofon SPU head. I have completely blown away with how this table has sounded and looked. The sound was huge, rich, and detailed...everything that I heard that idle drives from this era should sound.
Unfortunately, some family health matters have forced me to liquidate some much revered audio gear, and recently placed my Garrard 301 up for sale. I do not wish to be without a way to continue to enjoy my collection and would somehow like to come as close to the performance of the 301 for around $2500 or so.
My considerations (thus far)for this change are as follows,
Denon DP80
Technics SP10 Mk 2 or 3
Technics SL 1000 Mk 2
Luxman PD 444
As you can see, I am curious about the more vintage looks and sound of the direct drives coming out of Japan, and am hoping to glean from this audience which of these units may provide me with the same (or as close to)level of enjoyment that my 301 has done. Thoughts on tonearm and MC cartridges pairings with each would be helpful.
I am not really considering anything belt driven at this time for whatever reason, or a deck that veers away from a traditional turntable aesthetic.
If it helps, the rest of the signal chain is as follows.
Aric Audio Motherlode preamp
Manley Steelhead phono pre
Aric Audio Transcend EL 34 push/pull amp
Klipsch Forte iv speakers.
I am grateful in advance for your thoughts on this matter.
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I currently own and use four different Japanese DD turntables (Kenwood L07D, Technics SP10 Mk3, Victor TT101, and Denon DP80), and in the past i owned a few others (especially Technics SP10 Mk2 and Mk2A). Since cost is an object, I would recommend the Denon DP80 as best bang for the buck. It has two Achilles heels. First, there is a chip that governs speed. That chip is rare if not unobtainable, so make sure the sample you buy is working well. Push come to shove, I have a few spare chips that I bought several years ago and would part with one. Most were built for 100V for use in Japan. It is my impression that the chip was damaged in many units used in the US due to running at 120V; it's just a guess. The DP80 also used some discrete transistors that are known to be problematic, but there are modern equivalents that work much better. Best to find a tech with some experience working on them. Sadly, Bill Thalmann, who lived in my area and was in my opinion the best of the best, passed away a year or two ago. You might contact his business, Music Technologies in Springfield, VA. Maybe they still have a guy for DD TTs. With any of these TTs, it is wise to have help. In my. opinion also, the SP15 is not in the same league with the others discussed here. I am not saying it is a bad unit, just not as good as the others mentioned, which are all among the best of that era. |
@lewm, I am grateful for this information, and thank you for the offer to part with one of your chips should it become necessary. In the event that cost were no object, or my budget was stretched, would the recommendation change at all? Once my 301 sells, I will certainly consider reaching out to Music Technologies for their direction and suggestions on this matter. |
So you still have the 301. It is my opinion that you should not let it go. Sell the arm off it and replace it with a good basic vintage one for the time being. A Fidelity Research FR 24, an Audio Technica, a JVC, or maybe even an ADC. Sell the cartridge too if its a higher end piece and go with a basic Denon DL 301 II or an Audio Technica. You will never replace that 301 for what you get out of it. Also you are going to sink real money into a SP10 MK II or Denon DP80 to have it restored to where its like new to you. Heck I would even let the phono stage go and use a Darlington, Sota Pyxi, or something along those lines before parting with the table. |
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