First off, really nice rig there Endless. Great to see The Denon send someone down the rabbit hole.
I was very happy to find this thread. I have been away from AK for a while but am starting to get back in and was pleasantly surprised to see this discussion.
Bought my 300 in 2010 new from Dakmart, an authorized reseller of Denon refurb stuff.
Here is the original thread from my purchase. Funny to note the prophetic nature of post #9.
As I noted there this is the only new table that I have ever bought, even to this day. It has been through a few different systems since the little mini rig that it was bought for is now gone and it even sat inactive for a while.
Due to my main table (Dual 510) developing problems it is now back in service in the main system and I'm having a great time getting to know it again.
The reason I like this deck is that it has performed well in every system I've put it in. The Denon mini rig was good for what it was, but not 'high end' associated equipment. Still, it sounded great. From there it went into the basement system, which is not 'high end' either, but easily the most detailed rig I have ever owned. In fact I heard resonant frequencies on CD recordings on that rig that I never did before. The Denon really sung through the Yaquin MS-22 tube phone pre, Anthem tube preamp, Yamaha M60 & M4 amps bi-amping recapped Infinity RS II's. Great detail, soundstage and overall presentation.
Now it is running through a Rotel RQ-970BX phone pre, Rotel RSP-1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB-985mkII amp into B&W 604s3 speakers. It still sounds great. However, I think I'm realizing the absence of detail the Infinity's provided and am thinking about some cart/stylus changes to make up for it.
Still running the Grado ZC +/Green 1 and just ordered a LP Gear improved stock stylus to replace the two that I wrecked on the stock cart. I have a Shure V15 type III and Realistic R1000EDT laying around. Both need new needles but am considering getting them back up and running and trying one or both on the Denon. Anyone ever tried either of these carts on the 300?