Turntable advice - DENON DP-50L

[Ulysses]

I am considering buying a denon dp 50L turntable, but can't find much info on them so I thought I'd ask
if anyone has experience with these turntables.

Also, since they are no longer manufactured would it be serviceable?

Thanks

[phonomac]

Hello there,
The key issue with this series of Denon is that it uses a magnetic stripe recorded on the inside edge of the platter to detect speed and let the electronics control that speed. It's a brown ring just like a tape surface since it is magnetic oxide in binder.

If that ring is worn or damaged then repair is virtually impossible (I've never heard/read of it being done, but someone somewhere may have!). As long as it holds speed then most other things are fixable. Dirty speed/pitch pots may cause fluctuation but if it runs flat out with no control then suspect the stripe.

Otherwise I believe the Denons like this are a good series of turntable. I've only heard a DP-2500 (a junior brother) and that was quite good.

regards

Angus

[jandl100]

Coo - they do look yummy! :drool:

https://s0.smlycdn.com/data/product2/2/1a1125d22d14e61fecda984c4a73c066a9855839_l.jpg

I had a similar looking DP-62L but I don't know how deep the similarities go.

To be honest, my 62L looked better than it sounded - the plinth was the main weakpoint, I think. It was just an undamped poorly put together wooden box.
Some serious damping / strengthening may have upped the sonic performance, but I didn't try it beyond a few strips of self adhesive damping material which didn't make much difference.

The sound was lightweight and a bit vague, without much sense of solidity or foundation to the music.

They don't look as good (imo) but a Techie direct drive turntable sounds much better, once again imo - even the cheaper ones like the SL-1300-1900 series.

[Ulysses]

Thanks Angus, looks like I'd be taking a gamble then as their propriety speed control electronics are both its strength and now its weakness. I shall have to factor that into the cost if I take the plunge.

[Ulysses]

I had wondered about a technics but in japan the denon goes for much more used, so I assumed both on price and comments from other users I've seen than the denon would be more capable in standard form, but I'm just guessing as I've not compared. The upgrade path with technics seems fun but not sure if it's value for money e.g. acrylic platter 840GBP, off-board power 450GPB, bearing 250GBP etc.

Yes, to me the denon is also pleasing to the eye, whereas the technics is, well, less so...


Coo - they do look yummy! :drool:

https://s0.smlycdn.com/data/product2/2/1a1125d22d14e61fecda984c4a73c066a9855839_l.jpg

I had a similar looking DP-62L but I don't know how deep the similarities go.

To be honest, my 62L looked better than it sounded - the plinth was the main weakpoint, I think. It was just an undamped poorly put together wooden box.
Some serious damping / strengthening may have upped the sonic performance, but I didn't try it beyond a few strips of self adhesive damping material which didn't make much difference.

The sound was lightweight and a bit vague, without much sense of solidity or foundation to the music.

They don't look as good (imo) but a Techie direct drive turntable sounds much better, once again imo - even the cheaper ones like the SL-1300-1900 series.

[struth]

they are nice looking decks but at an age now that they can give trouble and thats why there are a fair few on market now. personally i would steer clear as there are better options but if you love the look then make sure it all works. then enjoy:)

[jandl100]

I had wondered about a technics but in japan the denon goes for much more used, so I assumed both on price and comments from other users I've seen than the denon would be more capable in standard form, but I'm just guessing as I've not compared. The upgrade path with technics seems fun but not sure if it's value for money e.g. acrylic platter 840GBP, off-board power 450GPB, bearing 250GBP etc.

Yes, to me the denon is also pleasing to the eye, whereas the technics is, well, less so...

You know, it really is not compulsory to upgrade the Technics decks and spend that sort of money. :)
-- if you want to tweak, then dish out £35 for a Resomat and maybe some sorbothane footers for £20. :thumbsup:

The Techies do sound rather fine is standard form. But looks are important and I can't say the music sounded horrible with the Denon, just that the Technics decks do it better, imo.

I took my Denon tt along to the Scalford show a few years ago, and I had several comments along the lines that it was the best looking turntable people had ever seen.

She was a beaut, mind ....

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DenonDP-62Ltt.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/jandl100/media/DenonDP-62Ltt.jpg.html)

[Ulysses]

Yes, good point, and only worth pursuing the denon if the price is right as it's a risk and there are as you say other options. Looks are a bonus but sound quality and VFM are key. I could live with the 'industrial' look of the technics.

[Roy S]

Also very worthy of consideration the Sony PS-6750

http://s5.postimg.org/uimrryebr/my_3.jpg

[Idlewithnodrive]

Also very worthy of consideration the Sony PS-6750

http://s5.postimg.org/uimrryebr/my_3.jpg

ere :eek:

You've nicked my deck ! Fabulous sounding TT but getting rather hard to find now.

[Ulysses]

Yes, the Sony may be a potential contender but I'm unlikely to find one and presumably it has the same problem as the denon regarding service parts support.