Armando70

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $325.00 from eBay

Summary:
As a previous reviewer stated that the DP 47 has a sorta Star Wars-ish look to it...

Actually, if you look at the base of the servo-compu controlled tonearm it does resemble Boba Fett's/Jango Fett's space ship! That said, this Denon model was truly the final homage that the company paid to turntables of yesteryear that were just loaded with all sorts of fully automated bells and whistles. The exception being that while those turntables were more of a mechanical nature, The DP 47 incorporates some pretty smooth and sophisticated auto-servo technology in it's arm as well as in it's operational functions and controls laid out in the front bezel (outside of the dustcover---neat convenience for those times you want to play a record with the lid down).It's truly a couch potato's dream for full automation(detects record size,speed,automatically via the red-laser emitting post positioned in the right back rear of the plinth---ahhh, now that's what that does, who woulda thunk it!). Stature-wise, the DP 47F is the Denon DP 59L shrunken down a bit in size and contains a plethora of auto features NOT found on the DP 59L (the latter only contained an auto-lift arm mechanism).The other significant difference,also noted by another reviewer,is the low torque start up on this direct dirve quartz motor of the DP 47F.However,once up to accurate rotational speed it's pure analog-vinyl nirvana from there...

Now, the meat and potatoes of this great turntable system...As Forrest Gump would say, "I like it a lot!"---What's not to like about the DP 47F. I am currently using an Acutex 312 cartridge and stylus (similar looking to one of the Ortofon OM series). The DP 47F plays vinyl in what I consider to be a "polite" and clean sounding manner(if that makes any sense).There's this way that the DP 47F plays vinyl that I have never experienced on a Technics deck or on a JVC deck.Maybe it's the servo-Q damping circuitry doing it's job properly in which it cleans up any unwanted or extraneous tonearm resonance or extrenal and imposing acoustic vibrations from nearby speakers....In any case,as with my Denon DP 59L, I also experience this quiet and sweet,no noise or rumble level (many turntable belt drive advocates always criticize most direct drives for being too noisy and being able to hear some rumble from said turntable drives). Stereo separation and imaging is pretty good.Bass,mids,highs are produced accurate enough so as not to hear any smear or rolled off highs.At times, this system plays so clean that I do think I am listening to a cd player (in that "good" digital way---not the flat, non-3-dmensional ,piercing highs,cold sonic way)...

One of the biggest feats this 'table can accomplish is tracking those pesky slightly warped records---The only drawback, due to the collar design on the back of the tonearm that angles down, any large warps will get caught and bump the tonearm;This I found out with one particular album that contained a difficult warp on it---the Denon could trace it,no problem there, BUT when the warped bump went underneath the tonearm it tended to push the arm up causing the needle to mistrack...

Yes, this particualr model I have is from the mid 80's (later models into the 90's came with the black trim bezel, black brushed aluminum buttons, and black tonearm assembly). My point being that this mid 80's Denon DP 47F I own is a testament to how the company put a lot of thought and ingenuity into this deck as a final homage to full automatics of years passed. This is one durable 'table!

Strengths:
-I own the silver bezel faced and silver,light grey trim in contrast with the dark cherry rosewood color as opposed to the later models that were black against the wood grain color. I pefer the silver metal trim which gives the DP 47F a classier look in my humble opinion...

-Accurate direct drive quartz system

-Quiet FULL automatic servo arm functions (can locate arm left or right to find that special section of a track you want to hear with button controls)...Also, if you hit the start button while the turntable is playing a record in the middle, arm will automatically reset to the beginning of record without having to stop.

-Tracks warped or off centered-pressed records with no problem (however, large and unusual warps will get caught on the back end of the tonearm collar).

-Sounds like a very "polite" and clean analog deck sporting convenient electronic control features. Quiet or extremely low black background noise level.

-Looks right at home,even with today's stereo systems...The DP 47F retains some nice hefty and classy looks with it's faux cherry/rosewood plinth.

Weaknesses:
-No longer in production, replacement parts are close to nil.Definitely NOT a Technics 1200MK2 where replacment parts are readily available...

-Awkward angled backend tonearm collar that will not allow large warps on a record to pass through with ease---will cause arm to skip.

-Somewhat low torque motor and start up (as also noted by another previous reviewer)

-Not a dj type manual turntable where you can just grab the arm and drop it anywhere----but then again, why would you??!!---Just enjoy the smooth ride.

Similar Products Used:
Denon DP 59L

JVC QL Y66F

JVC QL Y55F

Onkyo CP 1046F

Technics modded Full Automatic Quartz 1600 MK2

Technics 1200 M3D

Tadman

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.20 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00 from private

Summary:
Hi This is a funny TT. It looks quite Star Wars fashioned with it's robot controled tonearm. In other words, I did not even thought that this was a decent player. I was wrong! I had one in my room up for sale suited with a DL-160 cartridge. At the same time I owned a Micro seiki DQX-1500 with MA-505 arm. I put on an Audio Note Soara Japan cartridge and the best step up in the world, The Super Nova! Now the Micro had some of the best analog ever built to make a top performance, at least that was what I thought... The Micro was incredebly bad sounding, I was stunned! For comparison, I was curios, I smacked the Denon on with it's cheap high output cartridge without Nova. It simply killed the other set up!!! This is not, that the Denon must be that good, but, it's amazingly good compared to a Micro DQX 1500 For it's price it's a Rega killer as well. Recommended for all low budgets fan. 5 stars according to low price!

Strengths:
Not slow sound thought not controlled like other high end stuff. Ok palpably and easy set up. Stable and well made. I like the look!

Weaknesses:
None at this price really.

Similar Products Used:
Garrard 401, EMT stuff, Voyd (auch a bad player!) so as the System Deck, most Micro and heard most Nottingham as well.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This review is for the Denon 51F not the 47F. I owned this table from new in 1983 until 2000. I found it to be a gnereally excelent vinyl player. Among the pluses: It is easy to set-up. Its automation reduces the risk of a cartridge's cantilever destruction from a momentary lapse in care. It can be adjusted to play all types of catridges-For the most part I used a Yamaha MC1, but also many moving magnets as well: Staunton 681EEE, Signet, Grado Signature. The down-side for me was this deck's three breakdowns in the 18 years. Once it stopped working under warranty,the circuit board burned-out. It burned out a second time about five years later after running extremely fast for a period. In 2000 it stopped running again and I chucked it in the trash. So, while I haven't read of other similar experiences, I have mixed feelings about recommending this turntable.

Strengths:
Ease of use. Mates well with a variety of cartridges. Protects cartridges fromcareless handling.

Weaknesses:
Tendency for the circuit board to burn out in my table.

Similar Products Used:
Technics SL1200 Thorens TD160 Systemdek IIX

Price Paid:  $575.00 from Good Guys

Summary:
Very good quality, very smooth and quiet in operation. I am using a Grado Gold in it and the sound is very smooth and neutral. None of the exaggerations experienced with CD's. I do not like the integrated stylus force/anti-skating adjustment. I would prefer to set them seperately. All in all - a nice quality, good sounding table. With the right cartridge, a definite step up from CD's.

Strengths:
Smooth operation. Excellent Sound.

Weaknesses:
Fairly low torque motor for a DD table.

Similar Products Used:
Sony 2251, Technics sl-10

Price Paid:  $525.00

Summary:
As a adolescent, I made the jump from analog to digital. As it happens in so many other areas, our youthful decisions often catch up with us. Though I would not describe myself as a vinyl-phile, I must admit that there are certain types of music where LPs are far more involving (e.g. Jazz). This turntable represents my entry back into the vinyl world.

I auditioned numerous tables in the $500 to $700 price range (without the cost of cartridge). I decided upon the Denon for a couple of reason. First, and most importantly, it sounded best in my setup. (Grado Golden MM Cartridge, Silverstreak Phono Pre-Amp, Adcom GP-750 Preamp, ARC D130 Amp, Dynaudio Speakers). Tonal balance was superlative. I did not experience the "brightness" that is often associated with the CD format. I was amazed at the spacious soundstage; as well as this table's keen ability to articulate inner detail.

The second reason I purchased the Denon is that I wanted a table that really wasn't that fussy in both setup and maintenance. I unpacked the carton and was spinning wax within a half of an hour. Like other poor souls on this page, I have spent years in search of audio nirvana. This time my emphasis was on "just listening to music". It is likely that my obsessive personality will likely return, but for now the Denon is doing a highly competent job.

Lastly, I appreciate the old world looks of the Denon. Many high-end tables look like they space-age pottery wheels. However, the nostaglic appearance of this table brings reassuring parity and consistency to the sound of vinyl. On a critical note, the fit and finish of some of the corners is not as clean as they could be.

Purists may be a bit put-off by some of the electronic gimmicktry (e.g., automatic speed selection). Others may be offended by Denon's decision to make this a Direct-Drive unit (though the motor noise is indetectable at normal listening levels). My biggest complaint is the mid-fi platter that is utilized. Each of these sins can be overlooked if the sound is there.....fortunately it is.

Is this the best table one could purchase? -- clearly not. After borrowing a friend's Linn LP12, it became apparent that there is certainly room for improvement. However, for less than a quarter of the cost of the Linn, the Denon was still proudly able to hold its own.

I would highly recommed this table to someone who is re-entering the vinyl world. I would marry this unit with a good cartridge and phono pre-amp. I am planning to replace the cheap RCA connectors with higher performers. Highly competent table at a mid-fi price. Four stars on the cost-performance ratio.

Strengths:
Attractive, Good Isolation, Broad Soundstage, Excellent Stereo Separation, Excels in the area of Inner-Detail, Stoutly-built, Fully Automatic functionality

Weaknesses:
Direct-Drive, Mid-Fi Platter, Low-Grade Captive Cables and Connections.

Similar Products Used:
Numerous other TTs.