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Denon or VPI

truckrglenn

truckrglenn

Lost
I love the look of the Denon DP-59l.
But I hear great things about VPI turntables.

Which would you choose, both are the same price.

The Denon 59l has been recapped?
The VPI Scout only has a few hours on it?

Both look great, neither has as cartridge .

Or just keep my Yamaha PX-2 with Signet MK111E and Signet MK12T SUT?

I love the sound of my TT, but just have this strong urge to upgrade.
 
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jblnut cautions that there is risk that either turntable you're considering may prove to be no more enjoyable than what you have. The only way to be confident that your audio dollars are being spent to good effect is to do a comparative audition before spending your money. Are the 'tables in question available at local shops where you can hear them, perhaps even getting an in-home demonstration or being able to borrow them during the shop's off hours to try out at home? I happen to find the original Scout a very good-sounding player (many people who normally favored Linn, Roksan, and Rega models thought the original Scout to be VPI's best turntable regardless of cost), and it would be my choice among the ones you mention, but your ears and priorities may not be the same as mine. If you haven't seen it yet, Art Dudley did an interesting review of the Scout in Stereophile.

http://www.stereophile.com/turntables/776/#RMF5iGwbTUOwzmiv.97
 
If VPI has JMW arm that is my choice
Denon and Yamaha machines great but full of ICs and servo control arms
For long haul unless you able to do own work go with VPI
Denon and Yamaha BOTH works of engineering art and extreme quality but just too much electronic art! ; - )
No easy choice but for reliability VPI winner now after so long time plus better tonearm
Do not buy with eyes now that Denon and Yamaha both more than 30+
They are both extreme nice but now getting old and use parts very difficult may be impossible if you ever need for repair
JJ
 
Thanks all. jblnut, I never really thought about that. Even though the Rosewood of the Denon turntables has me mesmerized.

Then if I sold my PX-2 to pay for something else, I might be sorry. After all, we all know how scarce they are and I might not be able to find another. I do have spare parts for it too.

After more research, I read a message that directed users to the cartridge compliance chart on The Vinyl Engine website.

Buying and selling cartridges would be a lot easier than finding another Yamaha PX-2. Though I do have a complete Yamaha PX-3 in the original box in my closet . :banana:
 
I have no experience with the VPI. I love my DP-62L, BUT, you should have it recapped at that age. I did and sleep much better at night.
 
I know the rosewood thing well...if you squint at my profile pic you can still see the all-Luxman system I had 10 years ago. It took the PX-2 all of 10 minutes to kick the PD-262 to the curb :-). Now a DP-59 or VPI Scout is way beyond that Luxman, but are they truly better than a PX-2? If you would have to sell the PX to buy one of them, I'd say hold off. But if you could afford to add a new table and take your time comparing, then you have a lot less risk. And you can take that PX-2 to a lot of different places with other cartridges.

How about we ask - what are you looking for in a new table/cartridge, or what do you feel the PX-2 lacks ? And do you feel that the rest of your system will be able to resolve the changes that are presented to it ? You can absolutely upgrade components out of the ballpark of the rest of your system - so much so that until you get everything up to their level you won't really be able to understand just how good they really are. That's an expensive and sometimes frustrating journey so ask yourself...am I prepared to start down that road?

jblnut
 
I've owned 2 VPI tables over the course of approximately 20 years and never looked back (obviously prejudiced). Get a good well matched MC cart and nice phono pre and you won't be disappointed.

Check out their forum and see what those folks think of their rigs (including me): http://vpiindustries.com/forum/.

Happy Listening!
DeeCee
 
I understand about the Denon, very beautiful table. If it has been recapped then the contest is much closer. The VPI has the better arm and is much simpler in design. It also can be upgraded over time into an even nicer table. On the other hand if you get the Denon it will only go up in value. I think the VPI is probably the better sounding table depending on what gear is following it. On the other hand the Denon is a very decent sounding table not to mention it's so sexy!!! Personally I would get the Denon and try and find an S wand for it if it doesn't have one. If you get the Denon it has to be recapped, don't wait, or you could have a very sexy!!! door stop. Good luck with your choice. Let us know what you do.
Sturgus
 
sturgus said:
I understand about the Denon, very beautiful table. If it has been recapped then the contest is much closer. The VPI has the better arm and is much simpler in design. It also can be upgraded over time into an even nicer table. On the other hand if you get the Denon it will only go up in value. I think the VPI is probably the better sounding table depending on what gear is following it. On the other hand the Denon is a very decent sounding table not to mention it's so sexy!!! Personally I would get the Denon and try and find an S wand for it if it doesn't have one. If you get the Denon it has to be recapped, don't wait, or you could have a very sexy!!! door stop. Good luck with your choice. Let us know what you do.
Sturgus
Click to expand...

I would not say that VPI arm is really better. Their arms are tricky to tune correctly. Denon and other similar servo controlled arms bring real advantage by compensating for cartridge suspension resonances. That may or may not improve sound, but from engineering perspective they are more advanced.

Though I would also vote for keeping PX-2. Linear tracking arm is my weak spot. Of cause it all matter if Denon and Yamaha are properly tuned, which fro these tables/arms requires adjustment of electronic circuit according to service (rather than user) manual.
 
Congratulation struckrglenn on VERY beautiful new machine! ; - )
That is world class example of Japan engineering when Denon was Lp king!
Please take advice from me I one time owned DP-62L beautiful gift to me from childhood friend and lost machine after electronic failure
PLEASE RE CAP MACHINE
I learn this lesson VERY hard way ; - (
truckrglenn said:
The Denon 59l has been recapped?
Click to expand...
I see in first post saying re cap but have question mark after if already done forget comment but make sure it is done
Enjoy new machine! ; - )
JJ
 
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