Audio Technica LP120 or Denon DP-300F?

[riverrat373]

I'm thinking about getting into vinyl and have been looking at the Audio Technica LP120 and Denon DP-300F. I'm curious as which turntable members here would chose. I like the Denon because it is automatic (My hands aren't as steady as they used to be) but it seems that the Audio Technica gets better reviews. Yes, I know all about the Rega, Music Hall and Pro-Ject turntables but I don't care for the designs for the anti-skate control. My budget is about $350. :scratch2:

 

[illini]

[...] I'm curious as which turntable members here would chose. [...] My budget is about $350. :scratch2:

Have you considered 'vintage' turntables?

 

[Tom Brennan]

I'm thinking about getting into vinyl and have been looking at the Audio Technica LP120 and Denon DP-300F...

I had a DP-300F for five years, it was quiet, steady and reliable, a good solid record player. I replaced the cartridge supplied, which was OK, with a Denon 110. And the built in phono preamp (which can be bypassed) sounds pretty good too.

It had no trouble with feedback or footfalls (even in a 90 year old Chicago 3-flat) and was a better sounding and functioning player than the Thorens TD-160 I owned previously.

I've no experience with the AT.

 

[jasonsong86]

Vintage is the way to go. I just picked up this baby for $270. Absolutely beauty.

 

[Tom Brennan]

Vintage is the way to go.

.

Is this assertion a result of your experiences with the players the OP asked about? My experience is that some high quality old players sound better than the Denon discussed and some sound worse. I think if a guy wants a turnkey, just go out and buy it, no ****ing around automatic record player the Denon can serve him well.

 

[jasonsong86]

.

Is this assertion a result of your experiences with the players the OP asked about?

LP120 has been pretty inconsistent in terms of quality.
300F while not bad for what it is, has its limitations for upgrades.

 

[riverrat373]

Have you considered 'vintage' turntables?

About the only place that I could find a vintage turntable around here is Ebay and I am afraid of getting a piece of junk that I would end up spending a small fortune repairing and upgrading. I've also had some bad luck with people who do not know how to pack audio gear for shipping! Most of what I have seen on Ebay have terrible looking covers that are all scratched up, chipped or cracked and I care what my equipment looks like.

 

[jasonsong86]

About the only place that I could find a vintage turntable around here is Ebay and I am afraid of getting a piece of junk that I would end up spending a small fortune repairing and upgrading. I've also had some bad luck with people who do not know how to pack audio gear for shipping! Most of what I have seen on Ebay have terrible looking covers that are all scratched up, chipped or cracked and I care what my equipment looks like.

Craigslist?
I bought a Pioneer PL-600 off ebay last week. Finger crossed when I get it tomorrow. I sent a message to the seller telling him how to pack it properly.

 

[Tom Brennan]

300F while not bad for what it is, has its limitations for upgrades.

How so? What's your experience? My experience was that the table was worthy of cartridge upgrades and could hold it's own in a system with a Jolida 302 amp and Martin Logan Vistas. Quite a few audiophiles in Chicago who heard the system thought it sounded very good including old John VF, a fella with quite refined taste in hi-fi.

Now if you don't like the sound of the player you don't like it, that's fine, we all have our tastes. I just wonder what specifically was wrong to you. And what old players sound better than the Denon to you, since you made an assertion that old is the way to go.

My old Pioneer PL 630 sounds better than the Denon.

 

[GPJeff]

My uncle bought a new Denon 300-F because he wanted a NEW automatic table. It sounds pretty good. I didn't have that much time to spend listening to records when I visited him.

 

[jasonsong86]

How so? What's your experience? My experience was that the table was worthy of cartridge upgrades and could hold it's own in a system with a Jolida 302 amp and Martin Logan Vistas. Quite a few audiophiles in Chicago who heard the system thought it sounded very good including old John VF, a fella with quite refined taste in hi-fi.

Now if you don't like the sound of the player you don't like it, that's fine, we all have our tastes. I just wonder what specifically was wrong to you. And what old players sound better than the Denon to you, since you made an assertion that old is the way to go.

My old Pioneer PL 630 sounds better than the Denon.

Well for one, the light weight belt drive system can be higher in W&F specs. Also light weight platter means very easy to resonant. The plinth is made of plastic meaning its also very easy resonant.
Like I said it's not bad for how much it is but you can always get better performance buying a clean vintage.
That being said they also made cheap plastic vintage table as well. But for $300 you can find a clean SL1200. Or many other great vintage tables that are better.

 

[Tom Brennan]

Well for one, the light weight belt drive system can be higher in W&F specs. Also light weight platter means very easy to resonant. The plinth is made of plastic meaning its also very easy resonant.
Like I said it's not bad for how much it is but you can always get better performance buying a clean vintage.

Have you actually heard the thing?

 

[mythless]

Well for one, the light weight belt drive system can be higher in W&F specs. Also light weight platter means very easy to resonant. The plinth is made of plastic meaning its also very easy resonant.
Like I said it's not bad for how much it is but you can always get better performance buying a clean vintage.
That being said they also made cheap plastic vintage table as well. But for $300 you can find a clean SL1200. Or many other great vintage tables that are better.

Such a narrow point of view, especially if you have no experience with the Denon. Buying used also requires time, that many may not want to invest in. Some times people just don't want to hassle with used items.

Back to the original post. Tough call but, I would be more inclined to the Denon if you need the automation function. Granted, that being said, if you didn't care for the automation function, I would toss the U-Turn Orbit into the fray. I have no experience with neither but, the U-Turn does intrigues me.

 

[jrtrent]

I'm thinking about getting into vinyl and have been looking at the Audio Technica LP120 and Denon DP-300F. I'm curious as which turntable members here would chose.

I wanted an automatic for the bedroom, so I chose the DP-300F. If I had had a pressing need to play 78's, I would have gotten the AT. I've had my Denon for a little over three years, and I have no complaints with respect to operation, appearance, or sound quality. I agree with Tom Brennan that both the stock cartridge and the built in phono stage sound pretty good. Factory alignment on my sample was excellent, and the scale on the counterweight provides accurate tracking force settings.

 

[Whaddup]

About the only place that I could find a vintage turntable around here is Ebay and I am afraid of getting a piece of junk that I would end up spending a small fortune repairing and upgrading. I've also had some bad luck with people who do not know how to pack audio gear for shipping! Most of what I have seen on Ebay have terrible looking covers that are all scratched up, chipped or cracked and I care what my equipment looks like.

If you check out vinyl engine, the marts, the gon, here and a few other places there are a decent amount of people restoring vintage tables and selling them with a warranty of some sort. I found my guy on usa mart and he has quite the background on vinyl engine restoring vintage TT's chronicling what worked and what did not. He has also bought and shipped quite a few TT's so no worry there.

While my sp25 table that I bought from him is a bit out of your price range and not automatic, he has a sony ps-x7 that is decently close to your budget, fully auto, and DD so no belt to worry about. Looks wise, it looks pretty new and classy imo.

 

[mythless]

If you check out vinyl engine, the marts, the gon, here and a few other places there are a decent amount of people restoring vintage tables and selling them with a warranty of some sort. I found my guy on usa mart and he has quite the background on vinyl engine restoring vintage TT's chronicling what worked and what did not. He has also bought and shipped quite a few TT's so no worry there.

While my sp25 table that I bought from him is a bit out of your price range and not automatic, he has a sony ps-x7 that is decently close to your budget, fully auto, and DD so no belt to worry about. Looks wise, it looks pretty new and classy imo.

To clear up a bit of semantics here, restoration and servicing are two different terminologies.

Quick Google search as indicated, unless it's a different seller, one Sony PS-X7 for $560 and assuming basic servicing was done the seller only replaced the phono cables with some cyro-treated ones. Again, I don't know if it is the same seller as you mentioned.

However, that being said, there is no indication if caps were touched or not.

 

[Whaddup]

To clear up a bit of semantics here, restoration and servicing are two different terminologies.

Quick Google search as indicated, unless it's a different seller, one Sony PS-X7 for $560 and assuming basic servicing was done the seller only replaced the phono cables with some cyro-treated ones. Again, I don't know if it is the same seller as you mentioned.

However, that being said, there is no indication if caps were touched or not.

My point is that there is quite a few people restoring and or servicing vintage tables that will back you up if the TT arrives damaged or breaks down soon after purchase. Guitar Center would probably be the largest example. They probably just clean the table up cosmetically but will give you a warranty for several years for not a whole lot extra and they have tons of sl-1200's. Not sure why you are picking on this gentleman but whatever.

 

[mythless]

My point is that there is quite a few people restoring and or servicing vintage tables that will back you up if the TT arrives damaged or breaks down soon after purchase. Guitar Center would probably be the largest example. They probably just clean the table up cosmetically but will give you a warranty for several years for not a whole lot extra and they have tons of sl-1200's. Not sure why you are picking on this gentleman but whatever.

People like those are far in between, a manufacturer is far easier to deal with, at times. A vintage that becomes broken/damage from shipping has almost no immediate replacement, unless the table is quite common and the seller has a "stock" of them. While a manufacturer can easily ship out another.

I have no idea what you are talking about as to who I am picking on. I am just breaking down arguments towards buying a vintage table over a new one. The OP has indicated he is wanting to buy a new turntable not vintage and, he is not a new member to AK either and has probably read on both the merits and cons on a vintage table.

If someone wants to buy a new table, that's where we should help the individual, to provide the individual with enough information regarding these tables to help the individual to make an informed decision.

 

[unionista]

I'm amazed that, in these discussions of lower-cost players, no one ever brings up these guys. A Technics SL-BD20 series TT, fully reconditioned and WITH A WARRANTY for $169.00. This would be a fine choice for someone getting into vinyl without any of the risks. For the longer term, parts are still available. Specifications beat any of the new low-cost machines and they are semi-auto, too. Maybe most importantly, they are shipped out by people that know how to pack turntables to avoid damage in transit. The only downside that I see is the use of a T4P cartridge that limits upgrades.

 

[Guest113]

Riverrat- I just ordered a 300F with a 2M cartridge from Needle Dr. It should be here in a few days so I'll let you know what I think later this week. I have a vintage Thorens in my main system and I love it. I also love vintage equipment but frankly, I'm with you when it comes to the hassle of buying, shipping, fixing, etc. I wanted a TT for my everyday system and wanted something new and bulletproof. It won't be used every day so I'm sure the Denon will be fine but I'll let you know.