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Denon DP80 & DP75 Owner's Thread

I'm glad this thread's been revived. Have any of you recapped a DP80, and made a list of the caps and values? It would be a great help.

I replaced the foam pads between the two parts of the 2-part platter, and I relubed the bearing — but I have not recapped it yet, so each time I switch it on may be its last rodeo.

I could just leave it on 24/7 I guess.
 
The service manual with schematics & parts list is on the Vinyl Engine. My DP-80 locks in immediately and the brake works great (too good for my tastes).

I'm going to lube mine as the next step. Is it pretty straight forward or is there a trick or two that makes it go easy?

Also, what foam did you use between the platters? Anything in particular?
 
I used weather stripping too. It was 10 years ago so memory dim but Mark's dimensions sound right. I used what seemed to be medium density (I had some very open-cell soft stuff I rejected).
 
I have some polymer 'tape' that is specifically designed to dampen vibrations I'll give a try.

The Stillpoints LP1 is now spinning on my DP-80 and, to my ears, it is a positive improvement over the Discogs, VPI & no-name LP weights it replaced.

LP1.JPG
 
The Denon DP-80 is the only piece of audio gear I have since 1987.
It has a DA-401 arm and a DL-304 MC cartridge (low output) with a Klyne Audio Arts SK-2 pre preamplifier.
Before that I operated it with a Denon DL-305 and then a Highphonic MC-R5 with a Highphonic T5 stepup transformer which I still have.
Base is a Belgian bluestone (granite).

All lytics have been replaced by new ones and I believe the standard two open pots have been replaced by better ones.

Nina op DP80.JPG
 
Legrace said:
First congrats on the anniversary.

The DP-80 was Japan only so I doubt there are many of these floating around. Have to use a voltage converter with mine. The DP-75 came with a 120v option so I expect these are much more common. Having said that the first couple replies are 80's, and here I am contributing yet another one!

I picked up my DP-80 drive looking to step up from my prior situation. Massive AC motor with gobs of torque, split platter for great isolation, excellent specs overall. After which I started looking around for something to mount it in. I first contacted a custom plinth builder, that went nowhere. Eventually ended up at a Japanese site. Picked up a used Denon DL110 plinth for a reasonable price, I think due to the fact cover was in rough shape. Prefer the topless look anyways. The armboard was drilled for a Denon 10.5" arm; I was looking to fit a 12" arm. I filled in the hole with a wooden dowel piece, sanded the works flush, and then applied fresh veneer. Also replaced the original tie down screws with brass finger nuts for added bling. I briefly considered re-veneering the entire plinth but in the end I'm glad I kept with the Rosewood of the original. Classic Denon look.
Click to expand...

The DP-80 was sold in Europe with a Denon Stepdown transformer:
Denon Stepdown Transformer.jpg
 
bimasta said:
I'm glad this thread's been revived. Have any of you recapped a DP80, and made a list of the caps and values? It would be a great help.

I replaced the foam pads between the two parts of the 2-part platter, and I relubed the bearing — but I have not recapped it yet, so each time I switch it on may be its last rodeo.

I could just leave it on 24/7 I guess.
Click to expand...
I used this Japanese site for a help:
http://amp8.com/amp-etc/record/denon/denon.htm
Lots of good photographs etc..
 
totem said:
Haven't seen that Denon OEM step-down before, the European market must have had the sales numbers
for it to be worthwhile. Evidently not so in N.A.
Click to expand...
In the eighties Western Europe did have a healthy market for Japanese audio gear. American highend stuff was really expensive and German manufacturers like Siemens and Braun lost their marketshare rapidly due to Japanese import.
Nowadays Europe and the North American continent are less important for sales compared to China, Russia, the Middle East and the rest of South East Asia.
If I sell old Mark Levinson stuff (ML Series) it almost always goes to China...
 
MX117.MC7150 said:
Very nice. Did you cut the opening in the plinth and armboard with a water-jet?
Click to expand...
No, I bought it this way. A high-end audio shop made a couple of these with the DP-80. I've seen some more at a meeting where you could bring your turntable with you and some specialists checked it for free. There I saw another with a white marble base.
 
Last edited:
Interesting........... think I'll drop the shop we had do our kitchen and let them look at DP-80 mounting template and see what they can do. I like the idea of a double-layer of granite sized to fit a 12" tonearm.
 
MX117.MC7150 said:
Interesting........... think I'll drop the shop we had do our kitchen and let them look at DP-80 mounting template and see what they can do. I like the idea of a double-layer of granite sized to fit a 12" tonearm.
Click to expand...

Make for a very nice looking setup....

Had the same sort of idea for my 75, wanted to have them cut a tonearm “board” slot and a couple of “boards”, just have not gotten around to execution phase :-)


Regards,
Andy
 
bimasta said:
I used weather stripping too. It was 10 years ago so memory dim but Mark's dimensions sound right. I used what seemed to be medium density (I had some very open-cell soft stuff I rejected).
Click to expand...
Great to see you on this thread. I've missed you. Then again, I've not been on myself...
 
Hi guys.
I’m new to this forum, but since i resently bought a DP-75 from Japan i already have a question regarding the tonearm, the DA-308. In short i’m looking for a repair manual for the tonearm, or inputs that can point me in the right direction.
The issue i’m dealing with is adjusting the needle pressure. I can set it to 2 grams, measured with a digital gauge. When playing a song and then measuring the pressure, it is now at 2,4 grams. Then i adjust it again and the same thing happens. I know it’s an old arm, and it might be old stiff grease that is to blame, but i’m not sure how to dissasemble the arm correctly. The arm seems to be moving freely and it is not the arm lifter that’s obstructing.
 

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