New Go-To Direct-Drive Turntable? How Denon DP-3000NE Compares to Technics SL-1200
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- If you are in the US, Denon might not be the first name you think of when you think about turntables. If you have been around hip hop or any DJ community you probably think of Technics and their legendary SL-1200. If you are deep in HiFi you might be thinking of dedicated Turntable brands like VPI or Rega, but Denon has a huge history in analog playback and now a modern turntable that competes with some of the best out there. So today we are going to set the record straight on legendary Japanese turntables.
Denon grew out of a parent company called Nippon Columbia which was founded in 1910 and their very first product was a phonograph with a gramophone horn so if you want to stretch to Denon’s roots you could say that they have been in the analog business for nearly 115 years. This parent company also spent decades pressing records with the brand’s slogan being “Music for Japanese families.”
So yeah Denon has some history with analog.
In the 1970s they manufactured turntables primarily for broadcasting where direct drive was a key technology. Think about it if you are a radio DJ you need two things to be certain with your equipment. 1. The table needs to get to speed almost instantly and 2. You need rock solid reliability.
Denon Direct Drive tables delivered both and soon became the gold standard in broadcast quality turntables.
So fast forward another half century and we have Denon’s latest and according to the brand most refined turntable to date the DP-300NE.
How does Denon honor their heritage and create a turntable worthy of their history?
They started by rethinking the 3 phase AC drive motor they have used versions of for decades. Then they utilized a marriage of time tested components, paired with some modern rocket science. Finally, they applied something called Space Vector Pulse Wave Modulation to the power control of this older motor design. The results are a drive system with proven reliability and speed fluctuations that are so low it is nearly impossible to measure.
To have a turntable give you perfectly accurate reproduction is ONLY one of the three key areas to address. Whats next?
Well the tone arm and the ability to track the grooves accurately. Denon accomplishes this with an S shape tonearm extruded from aluminum. The materials were chosen for low vibration and the shape optimizes tracking angle at any point in the record. This tonearm has all the necessary adjustments including a full 9mm of vertical adjustment to accommodate a huge variety of MM and MC cartridges and your choice of slip mats.
Speaking of cartridges, Denon also has an amazing legacy in cartridges with the DL103 being the single longest running sku’s in their catalog and likely one of the longest unchanged products in the HiFi industry. These cartridges are still handmade and perform exceptionally well for their price across a huge range of music. Want to test different carts? Well you are in luck with the bayonet style headshells you can change carts in seconds to suit your listening preferences.
The last thing you address to get highly accurate reproduction from your turntable is probably the first thing you would notice with the DP-3000NE. It is all about minimizing vibration and this table is a beast. At 40+ lbs this thing is a tank with most of that weight being this dense MDF plinth combined with massive, some might say, over-engineered feet. These feet combine metal, ABS, rubber, and a spring to help you set a perfect level and keep unwanted vibration from affecting the playback.
So in my journey to find my next turntable where did all this research leave me? I mean learning all of this about the DP-3000NE certainly put it on my shortlist, but what about the DJ proven HiFi praised units from Technics?
I will say emotionally I was in conflict, stuck making this decision on where to invest in a turntable I will likely have for the next decade. That is until we were able to unbox a DP-3000NE here in our studio. The photos and even this 4k video doesn’t do it justice. This is a beautifully built table with every finish a marvel to look at and even better to touch. Since my HiFi set up is not a dedicated listening room or man cave I brought my wife into the decision and the decision was made. The Denon oozes sophisticated luxury where the Technics radiates with techy widgets and the bravado of a club DJ? Am I ever going to use pitch control or a light for queuing? It's not likely and at the end of the day I am taking home the DP-3000NE as my primary turntable for years to come.
#ModernDirectDriveTurntables #DenonTurntables #HiFiTurntables #PerformanceTurntables
0:00 Why Denon
2:25 Denon Turntable History
3:34 DP-3000NE Build/Performance
6:51 Best Choice In Direct-Drive?
7:59 Conclusion 
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I just bought this turntable paired with a Hana ML cartridge and it sound incredibly good. With my Michi preamp-amp combo it’s just heaven.
Nice! Love Michi...bet that's a good combo!!
I also purchased this turntable with Hana ML! Love it!
@@anthonywright9357 great! Enjoy your listening time. It’s really a nice setup. 👍
I know that set up sounds amazing! Thanks for watching!
That is a damn handsome turntable
I sold my SL 1210 MK2 about 15 years ago though I was done with vinyl during the CD movement. I couldn't bear to part with my record collection so I picked up a Project Debut Carbon and added upgrades that was about 9 years ago. I was considering upgrading to a Technics 1200 but Denon sure seems like a better decision.
Why? Is it cheaper than a low end SL1200 G?
@@lmff620it is cheaper and not as good
I saw Audiophiliac's review today and now this. I'm really intrigued by this beautiful tt.
It's getting a lot of love-rightly so.
I'm still using a Denon DP30L I got back in 1981. I don't know why you put an expiration date of 10 years on this turntable.
Denon, as you know makes great TTs. I have a DP-52F from the 1980s. The technology, Servo Tracer Tonearm and Quartz-Locked DD, was ahead of its time and still functions well despite its sub-par damping material. But the Sservo Tracer helps somewhat in dampening resonances. But the motor is quite and doesn't transfer any vibrations above 4hz.
I have a question for you. I know you said you made your choice based off of looks, but I want to know based off of sound quality is the Denon DP-3000NE better than the Technics SL-1200GR, SL-1200GR2 and the SL-1200G? I'm asking because I believe you have access to all of them. What is making me look at the Denon a little more is what appears to be the quality of the Tonearm and headshell vs the Technics models.
Does the Denon counterweight screw into the Denon arm and I'm noticing that the tone arm lift mechanism seems to be of better quality, possibly equal to the VPI? I'm coming from a VPI Classic 1, so I'm used to the heavy weight or mass, but I want to know about sound quality is the Technic series better or is Denon better. I know the history of both companies well, and the DJ looks of the Technics doesn't bother me at all, but sound quality comes first. Thanks in advance.
Hello Sidvicious3129 and thank you for your inquiry! My name is Scotty G and I’m here to help!
The DP3000NE is definitely an upgrade to the 1200GR but I have not compared it to the brand new 1200GR2?! The 1200G is a monster and would be your best choice if performance is paramount. I would tell you that the 3000 is reminiscent of some of the great turntables in Denon’s past and is the best table they’ve ever made! The counterweight does screw onto the back of the tonearm and the support for VTA is spot on! I’m definitely a fan and believe this is a table you would enjoy for years to come! Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions and thanks for watching 🙏🏼
@@ScottGenaw thank you very much!!!
I'd like to add that Fernando of Skyfiaudio reviewd the SL-1200G and it is impressive. He also did a vibration test using an accelormeter app. This proved extremely useful. Adudiophiliac compared the SL-G and the DP-3000NE about 1 month ago.You should it up and interpret his descriptions for yourself, but he did like the SL alightly better than the DP-3000NE.
The accelormeter test influenced me to use it on my TTs. I have a JVC QL-Y55F and a Denon DP-52F. Have had these TTs for over 10 years. I am looking at other TTs, but plan doing some upgrades with using the accelormeter as a sort of guide.
The first Denon I encountered was the DP-59L back in the 80s. A salesman was demonstrating it to a customer. After the needle drop, he put the dust cover down and then leand on it with his elbow-no sound. I was blown away! Its been my dream TT ever since. I'm close and getting closer.
If you have the Technics SL-1200G and the Denon DP-3000NE you should consider comparing their ability to dampen vibrations using an accelormeter app. This can be done to compare any3in your audio system.
Technics is more expensive and is superior in my opinion
Ah, we're not DJs needing a table to spin up quickly. S-shaped arms don't cost more to make. S-shaped arms Don't improve tracking angle. Not vertical lift but 9mm of tonearm height adjustment. Ok, so esthetics was the final determining factor in your choice. I will say that the latest Technics tables I've seen/ listened to are the first DD tables that do not drift (speed) at all. But I have only listened to the SL-1000RE-S and the SP-10RE-S ( have not heard more affordable models) and thought that they were great for the money(and gorgeous) until I heard the Naim turntable, the same price. But it had a limited run and have not seen the Denon yet. The Denon looks nice and at $2500.00, more affordable. Interesting that Sata Turntable used the SP 10 motor, well modified the sh!t out of it but then that table with arm combo is nearing the price of a Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato .
from what year is it produced ?
I not sure about the month, but it is from 2023. August or September maybe. I recently buy this turn table also, I’m share the comments about stability and construction.. it’s a solid device. The only thing that I’m confused to adjust on this device is the anti skating setting. I made an adjustment similar to my old device but the result it’s not the same. However the Denton sound really nice. By the way, I changed the phono cable provided originally for another brand and sound better.
@@AntonioMartinez-br3dm well, try one REVOX,
have tried it and that was most stable....
@@AntonioMartinez-br3dm BUT AVOID THE DUAL AND THRORENS...
DUAL IS A CHINA-COPY AND HAS NOTHING FROM THAT OLD BRAND...
@AntonioMartinez-br3dm We have a setup video that addresses anti-skate for this table here: ruclips.net/video/Ys5Zh60VDMY/видео.html
@@ListenUp appreciate a lot !
I’m sure that’s a fine turntable, but this video is an advert for It, not a review. The major competition would be the Technics SL1200 G series, as you point out. But you’ve completely misrepresented the G series, and you’ve said nothing about how the two drive systems compare. For example, does the Denon have a coreless motor? The G series do. What about cost? And finally, the S shaped tonearm offers no advantage in relation to tracking angle error, compared to a straight arm wand wit a properly offset headshell, contrary to what you suggest.
Technics is superior and is more expensive. Just my opinion. The Denon is aesthetically nicer.
This looks great, but Denon could have gone an extra step that would have really been a nice differentiator. There's were a lot of Japanese DD turntables in the 80s, including from Denon, that had auto lift and shut off. The auto lift was done by having a hall or optical sensor on the tone arm's pivot. Also, the cueing was done electronically with a solenoid. So when the stylus hit the end of the record, the sensor saw this and lifted the arm and shut off the motor. There was no mechanical attachments to the arm for purists to complain about. Denon had this, Kenwood had it on ones like the KP990, Pioneer had it on the PL50L and similar.
Denon could have easily done it here.
The 80's were certainly a different time. Wish that intricate details like you mentioned were still prioritized. Isn't it interesting how sometimes technology seems to step backwards in some cases? It would definitely make for an amazing turntable.
So what’s the technical data on this?
Denon always told us the wow flutter++
Don’t come tell me it’s perfect speed with no wow & flutter. Denons 46kg 80s beast had. 0.002% wrms
Space Wave Pulse Wave Modulation - it controls voltage, NOT current. SMH
No, they did not use the direct drive "they used for decades". They, at Hanpin, shamelessly copied the Technics motor and now they put it in every Technics clone they OEM produce, exactly like in this one. So much for the marketing BS.
Denon DN-308F-E the king of all turntable history.
I'm wondering why throughout the course of this video you kept calling the Technics a DJ turntable? YES that is where the 1200's roots lie.
HOWEVAH
The current top end versions of this table are made for the audiophile market and not for DJ's.
Yes they also make a version for DJ's, but when they resurrected this turntable several years ago it was initially being made for audiophiles. There are now several versions of it, including the DJ versions.
Technics SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 have the DJ cred. from their origins-badge of honor. But you are correct-made for the audiophile. Thanks for watching.
It looks great, however it is NOT made in Japan. It is made in China and that for me = cheap outsourcing. It is branded at the the back as Made in China, which for me does not sit well.
Agree, but some of the factories in China are state of the art.
It’s just the stigma of made in China that freaks people out.
It used to be the same as Made in Japan, that was considered cheap. Not anymore, Made in Japan now gets respect.
It's TECHNIX. not Techniques my friend.
Hmm or Technics
A comparison implies you listened to both turntables and offer your subjective opinion on each . This video failed to be a comparison , other than visual . This is pretty .
For me this turntable is a no-go alone caused by the lack of stability in the turning point of the tone arm. This is so much better on any Rega or Technics. The Denon arm is not controlled in its way to keep the pick up in a correct angle towards the record, but is kind of unstable which doesn't position the needle perfectly in the groove. Denon claims they have constructed it this way - but I say no thank you. It still looks good and sounds good but beeing 100% made in China indicates that Denon did cut some corners in trying to make a high end turntable which is a shame. And let's forget about stating they have more than a 100 years heretage; they did only come up with direct-drive in the 70s like Technics and have been selling cheap plastic turntables ever since.
I have the new turntable and it is terrific. I don’t think your comment about the tonearm is justified. Maybe I’m misinterpreting your comment about “the lack of stability in the turning point of the tonearm”. To say it’s unstable and “doesn’t position the needle perfectly in the groove” is just not true. It’s true that the headshell provided by Denon has a little play ( purposely designed by Denon) but other headshells I’ve tried don’t. The music sounds great. This is not by any means a cheaply made turntable.
Saying something made in China means they cut corners is such an ignorant comment. Made in the USA probably has a worse reputation.
@@fatphoca5009
True, but the stigma continues.
The Chinese factories are state of the art. Still they get no love.
@@ralex3697 I guess it was the same with Japan in the 70's. Ignorance takes time to overcome I guess.