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Denon DP80 & DP75 Owner's Thread

Beautiful. The Denon arms are underrated, too "simple" looking, when the simplicity is in fact a strength. Magnetic anti-skate and fine bearings, the engineering is as good as the TT. The 881S is a classic, for good reason, I love mine, and the S-stylus sounds even better in the Pickering XSV-3000 body, imho. I don't know the Blue, only the Red. You'll be happy for a long time... no need for upgrade-itis, unless maybe an MC.
 
Thanks, really liking the system and not looking to upgrade anything else, plan on spending $ on albums now.....

However would like to try an MC at some point, what’s some budget friendly recommendations?


Regards,
Andy
 
adnick said:
Thanks, really liking the system and not looking to upgrade anything else, plan on spending $ on albums now.....
However would like to try an MC at some point, what’s some budget friendly recommendations?
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Budget-friendly is subjective, but I can recommend the Audio Technica AT-OC9 series. Many here will agree, but of course others will suggests others. I have the original first model, called "an absolute steal", "miracle at the price" and more, and each new iteration has worn the same halo. I have other far more expensive MCs, some are simply just better, and some are better in some ways but not others, so it's "competitive" with many costing double and triple.

The best of that series is the OC9/II, better than mine. It's available now for $358, brand new. I don't know if that's friendly; it's what I paid for my older lesser model 26 years ago, so at least it defies real inflation, and the added artificial inflation in the audio world. (I stored mine, unused, for 25 years as a "hedge investment", and it has very few hours on it).

Here are some of the specs for the OC9/II, the $358 model:

Stylus shape: Microline
Stylus construction: Nude square shank
Cantilever: Gold-plated solid boron
Wire used for coils: PCOCC

You may not be familiar with terms yet but they're all exceptional. I'll spare you personal opinions on the sound, you'll find many online. AT has just introduced a new range, five new models at five price-points; I haven't heard any, or even seen reviews yet, they're that new. So if you're waiting anyway, wait and see. But if you grab this one now (the new series means this one will be discontinued) you won't be sorry, you'll never think Damn, I should have waited.

If "friendly" is higher, there are other choices for MCs. And as mentioned, other will soon recommend others. But often "it's great because I don't know any others", or "it's great because it's mine" — so ask what they're comparing it to. Otherwise, the more you hear, the more confusing it gets.

Good luck, you're off to a great start.[/QUOTE]
 
Really appreciate the time, effort and willingness to explain in detail.

Yep, cost is certainly relative, just don't want to go overboard, especially since my knowledge base is somewhat antiquated.
My Grandfather use to say " Anything to the extreme is bad for you, including moderation"

Was just reading about the Audio Technica MC offerings, and your recommendation does fit within what I'm willing to disburse in my pursuit of "sound"....

Have also read that the Denon DL 103 is an option within this price range?

Thanks again,
Andy

​
 
Mark: That looks like a work of art, or I should say, that is a work of art, in form and function....
 
adnick said:
Mark: That looks like a work of art, or I should say, that is a work of art, in form and function....
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You nailed something I always thought, and I think is one reason for the "Revival" (I never abandoned Vinyl since my first Rek-o-Kut in my teens). Form is Function. What we had so recently and still have now — put something in a slot, eg a flash-drive, and a CD/DVD even disappears — and all you have left is a box that looks like all the others.

But Music suddenly fills the room, or your head (if 'phones). How? Where is the Music? With Vinyl we "see all".

It may be another reason why the current "everything is separates" is so much fun — a little phonostage, a little DAC, a little headphone amp, and then bring on the Tubes, even if just for show. Tubes add very nice-to-look-at "Form", and actually do "something" even if newbies and many others don't know what — so they also add "Function".

As an "old timer" I have some great preamps that do it all (sans DAC) and the tubes are invisible inside, so the new "array" looks like needless clutter to me, especially with all those extra messy wires — sorry, "cables", and everyone knows the better they look (Form) the better they sound (Function). But I definitely "get" the appeal, even if they may all may be unnecessary.
 
We've been dormant too long. Just rolled in a new AT-MONO3/LP cartridge and it is doing a great job on my mono LPs. Would say the biggest thing, other than its 'lively' AT house sound (at least to my ears - a great sound to me) is how quiet it is. Very nice.

DP80-4.JPG
 
Why use a weight at all, when a clamp can flatten an LP far better, and exert far more downward pressure — or less pressure, a clamp is adjustable, not a "dead-weight" — especially when you're already concerned about the 1.45 pounds of the Stillpoint weight? A good clamp can weigh almost nothing, and cost far less, AND be much more effective. And you don't even have to think about "over-stressing the power supply, motor or bearings." $500 for shiny bling.

I have an even shinier 2-pound weight and it has ZERO effect on the edges of a warped record — the cartridge goes up and down like riding a roller-coaster. But the label area stays flat: big effen deal, it's flat anyway. I'd never use it, just tried it for a lark.

But go ahead, and watch how pretty it is spinning around. I'd upgrade my lighting while at it, to make sure I get the best reflections. But DON'T watch the edge of LP going up and down as if the weight doesn't even exist — unless you also get the Stilloints Periphery Ring for even more bucks.
 
^^ You might consider cleaning and re-lubing the bearing. Weight or not, it probably needs it if you haven't already. My DP80 bearing was grunged-up with old congealed oil, after 40 years. Without the mass of the platter helping it, and the flywheel effect, the bearing didn't really want to turn. After a cleaning and light polish with a buffing wheel, and addition of new oil (plus some dabs of molybdenum-grease) it spun far more easily.

It may be auto-suggestion, but the cleaning and fresh lube had an audible effect. The Music "flowed" more naturally, seemed more "relaxed", and it cured some of Beethoven's angst.
MX117.MC7150 said:
When the bearing starts smoking and seizes and burns out the power supply folks here will be the first to know. ;)
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Fat chance. It'll be a secret you take to your grave.
 
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bimasta said:
^^ You might consider cleaning and re-lubing the bearing. Weight or not, it probably needs it if you haven't already. My DP80 bearing was grunged-up with old congealed oil, after 40 years. Without the mass of the platter helping it, and the flywheel effect, the bearing didn't really want to turn. After a cleaning and light polish with a buffing wheel, and addition of new oil (plus some dabs of molybdenum-grease) it spun far more easily.

It may be auto-suggestion, but the cleaning and fresh lube had an audible effect. The Music "flowed" more naturally, seemed more "relaxed", and it cured some of Beethoven's angst.
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Yes. Have not 'done' the bearing and I should. Thx for reminding me. :thumbsup:

bimasta said:
Fat chance. It'll be a secret you take to your grave.
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Indeed. I plan to be buried with my DP-80 (running or not). :naughty:
 
Appropriately, one can now have their ashes incorporated into a vinyl record.

Place your record onto your DP-80 and voila, married for eternity.
 
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