Vintage Denon tonearms...any good?

[scoobs]

Fellas, can anyone tell me more about these old pro and semi-pro arms and thier pedigree, I'm thinking in particular about the DA-309 10" to accompany my DL-103 & DP-80...not that I'm becoming a Denon Fan boy or anything of course, honest.



Step forward DSJR.

cheers

[Marco]

Indeed, and I suspect that Dave Cawley may also have something to say on the subject if he's sampled one of these particular classics in the past.

My view would be that if everything's in full working order (especially the bearings) then a DA-309 would be a great match for your 103. As ever though with vintage tonearms, condition is crucial! Might be worth speculating on if you can find one at a decent price

Marco.

[Marco]

There's a DA-307 for sale on Ebay now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DENON-DA-307-TUR...3A7%7C294%3A50

And a DA-305:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DENON-DA-305-TON...A10%7C294%3A50

And there's also this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tonearm-Sedco-fr...3A7%7C294%3A50



Marco.

[scoobs]

Cheers Marco
I took a punt on the 309 pictured above, it was going for a good price and they are pretty rare in the UK too. Let's see what the postie brings tomorrow.

[Marco]

I'm sure that it will be a very nice tonearm and a great match for your T/T and cart. Keep us posted!

Marco.

[selfaddict]

Cheers Marco
I took a punt on the 309 pictured above, it was going for a good price and they are pretty rare in the UK too. Let's see what the postie brings tomorrow.

Hello Nick.

How did you find the Denon DA-309 with your Denon DL-103 cartridge?

[DSJR]

Martin Colloms gave a very average/iffy review to the DA307 amd 309, the main problem being the tube to bearing housing decoupling screwing up depth and spatial information with a thickened quality. The 307 scored marginally better in the same group test for some reason.

Just because some of these relics are beautifully made, rare as hens teeth (I wonder why?) and fetching good prices on fleabay really doesn't guarantee a top grade product (I've heard from a very trusted source that the kenwood L-07D is easily bettered by a rega on music discs and the rep agreed) despite this thing being worshipped elsewhere . having said that, a modern exit cable, decent headshell and a suitable platform (not a hollow old Denon plinth IMO) may improve things no end.......

[selfaddict]

Martin Colloms gave a very average/iffy review to the DA307 amd 309, the main problem being the tube to bearing housing decoupling screwing up depth and spatial information with a thickened quality. The 307 scored marginally better in the same group test for some reason.

Just because some of these relics are beautifully made, rare as hens teeth (I wonder why?) and fetching good prices on fleabay really doesn't guarantee a top grade product (I've heard from a very trusted source that the kenwood L-07D is easily bettered by a rega on music discs and the rep agreed) despite this thing being worshipped elsewhere . having said that, a modern exit cable, decent headshell and a suitable platform (not a hollow old Denon plinth IMO) may improve things no end.......

Hello Dave.

Have you personally heard DA-309 or DA-307 yourself played? Reason why I am asking is that I am trying to find another arm to go with my 12" Jelco . This mystery arm should be on the heavy side, because it will paired with Denon DL-103R in the future.

[DSJR]

Yes, back in the day we had the denon decks and arms and didn't care overmuch for the arms then as they sounded a bit fat and sluggish...

Solid shells and lead ballast weights can weigh down a jelco 250 for example. A shame the Ortofon arm from this period fetches silly money now as it was rather good and you couldn't give them away not that long ago....

[hifi_dave]

The original Rega R200 is/was a very good arm and is available for not too much nowadays. Also it's big Daddy, the Acos Lustre is a goodie.