Vintage Denon Direct Drive Turntable

Zargon,

The ic's are in the motor controller circuit. I had a split platter Denon at one time; can't remember the model number, but the motor control cicuitry was in a separate box that connected to the table via an umbilical cord. Is that like your DP80? My DP55K has the electronics built into the underside of the plinth. Curiously, my table was back at Denon for repairs and needed a couple of ic's replaced. If anyone is interested I can provide the part numbers from the repair slip. Let me know.

Donshoemaker,
The DA307 arm was indeed capable of excellent performance. If my memory serves, it was part of a whole vibration control concept that extended from the tables platter mat to the development of the 103 series cartridges. It worked great with the 103D, and when they were not available, I found the Adcom XC-MRII worked very well. Your concerns about longevity are well founded. I ultimately wore mine out. An SME 309 now works in its place.

Donshoemaker, I don't know the difference between a DP80 and a DP75. I've already sold the DA307 that came with my DP80, and I did notice the rubber bushing that comes BEFORE the pivot point, which looked like a bad idea in principle, but lets remember that Denon engineers were not stupid. Therefore I withhold judgement on the tonearm; it might be excellent, but I did not need it.

Raul, I noticed that too, that the DP75 has a lower stated rumble or S/N ratio compared to the DP80, but in those days the standards for those measurements were very flexible. IOW, very different numbers could be gotten depending on what one used as a reference in measuring noise. Denon may have used two different standards for the two tables. The DP80 was more expensive and was ahead of the DP75 in the product line, so I don't know what those numbers mean or whether they are relevant to performance.

Kcc123, it looks like you've got a Micro Seiki MA505 on your Denon. How do you like it? I have one too and am thinking of mating it with the DP80.

Steve-g, the DP80 and others in that line-up have all electronics on-board, built into the chassis.

Kcc123, thanks for the pictures. The DP 80 is a very advanced looking design for 1980, and must have created a market stir amoung other TT builders.

Hi Lewm,
I think the massive DK2300 plinth provides an excellent platform for many tonearms, low mass and high mass. I have partnered it with SAEC 308L, Audiocraft AC3000 Silver Signature, Grace 747, Signet XK50, Rega 300 ……., all with very good results and especially the Micro Seiki MA505S which is beautifully matched with the Denon.

Thanks everyone for your responses and information. This Denon still interests me and I'll report on the project.