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Denon DP-37F Score with a problem

Cactus Bob

Cactus Bob

Desert Rat
Subscriber
I picked a Denon DP-37F today. The TT is perfect cosmetically, even the dust cover. When you press the power button the motor makes a humming noise and the arm moves only slightly and the platen does not revolve. Any ideas? It has a DL-160 cartridge on it but it's missing the stylus. What is the consensus on these units soundwise etc.? Thanks Bob
 

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Hate to say it, Cactus, but this TT has a pretty sophisticated Servo system which controls the platter and tone-arm. I own the the same model and I purchased the service manual and was blown away by the amount of documentation and complexity. The fact that your motor "hums" and doesn't spin is a bad sign. Other than a simple mechanical problem (like a frozen bearing on the base of the spindle) I'd say you have a serious failure. If its not that, you're going to have to spend time and $$ to get it repaired, and most likely that's going to be difficult. Not to burst your bubble, but you have a DOA scenario there.

Bryan
 
If you decide it's a total loss, I'd be willing to purchase the headshell off the tone arm for the cost of the TT. PM me if you're interested. Thanks.

Bryan
 
It's a nice TT if working, especially as a starter TT or for a second system. Don't remember if the Vinyl Engine site has any manuals for this specific table, but it may have manuals for similar TT's like the DP-35F. The servo tonearm is nice & you can use most any cartridge on it.
 
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willyrover said:
If it's direct drive, does the rotor under the platter have locks on it for transport?
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I'll have to check that, thanks


deaner33 said:
It's a nice TT if working, especially as a starter TT or for a second system. Don't remember if the Vinyl Engine site has any manuals for this specific table, but it may have manuals for similar TT's like the DP-35L. The servo tonearm is nice & you can use most any cartridge on it.
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They had the owners manual. I'll have to study this TT closer this weekend. Thanks
 
Cactus Bob said:
I picked a Denon DP-37F today. The TT is perfect cosmetically, even the dust cover. When you press the power button the motor makes a humming noise and the arm moves only slightly and the platen does not revolve. Any ideas? It has a DL-160 cartridge on it but it's missing the stylus. What is the consensus on these units soundwise etc.? Thanks Bob
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I have one - it's now a parts unit! Same type of thing happened to mine - just stopped spinning, I don't think it's the motor tho. Probably something on the pcb, maybe a bad cap throwing things off. I bought another DP-47F so my DP-37F is sitting. Sounded GREAT for the few years I had it working. I even thought it sounded as good or even slightly better than it's replacement. Since you just got it - I'd see if you can fix it, but I couldn't tell you what to look for. It's a direct drive model with no belts - the motor spins the platter with a type of magnet drive. Lots of electronics for a TT under the cover. Try Vinyl Engine for a service manual.

Cheers,

Bob
 
bobrown14 said:
I have one - it's now a parts unit! Same type of thing happened to mine - just stopped spinning, I don't think it's the motor tho. Probably something on the pcb, maybe a bad cap throwing things off. I bought another DP-47F so my DP-37F is sitting. Sounded GREAT for the few years I had it working. I even thought it sounded as good or even slightly better than it's replacement. Since you just got it - I'd see if you can fix it, but I couldn't tell you what to look for. It's a direct drive model with no belts - the motor spins the platter with a type of magnet drive. Lots of electronics for a TT under the cover. Try Vinyl Engine for a service manual.

Cheers,

Bob
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Thanks for the info, it looks pretty bleak now. It's amazing how quality & building techniques changed from the late 70's to the early 80's. Not for the better I guess. Bob
 
I recently picked up a mint DP-60L and I love it! Member Pio1980 seems to know quite a bit about Denon TT's... perhaps you should contact him.

Steve
 
islapapa said:
I recently picked up a mint DP-60L and I love it! Member Pio1980 seems to know quite a bit about Denon TT's... perhaps you should contact him.

Steve
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I think your TT is in a different league then this one. This one being at the bottom. I opened it up a little while ago and yikes!! There is a lot of electronic junk in there!!

I'll contact Pio1980 ya never know, thanks bob
 
hakaplan said:
Yes, the "L" series was a cut above the "F" series.
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Thanks for the explanation!
I have often wonder why some Denon DP-xxF model seem more work horse like and lack the electronic sophistications.
Actually I did not realized that there were two separate series, the L and the F. :D
 
Just for clarification for anyone who comes along after, "L" meant automatic LIFT at end of record, "F" indicated Fully Automatic, and "M" indicated totally manual.
 
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