Denon DP-500MX Manual direct-drive turntable

Rating:
Summary: For the price, a great turntable!
Review: I have wanted a Denon DD manual turntable ever since I first saw and heard the unfortunately departed DP-62F.
I finally bit the bullet and bought the DP-500M. It may very well be the last of a breed, but I am so happy with how this table was easy to set up, and more importantly, how wonderful it sounds. It's a pleasure to listen to my collection of LPS again!
For the price, you can't do better. I've listened to several of the current crop of Belt drive manuals that cost hundreds more, and they don't sound as good as this table does.
For the money, you can't go wrong.
Kudo's to Denon!
TS

Rating:
Summary: What Happened Denon ???
Review: The Denon DP-500MX is sort of the (half-hearted) continuation or in a long lineage of their high end audiophile turntables of years gone by.The two major questions I have for Denon is why they didn't make this newer model with improved or solid and reliable automatic micro-processed features and why the price? Obviously, turntables are not in high demand for home use any more. But, if a company is going to develop a pricey 'table, give us some reliable and solidly built bells and whistles to go with it... The last high end model was the micro-processed controlled DP-47F from the mid 90's.It was the last of a dying breed of fully automatic players for vinyl enthusiasts to revive the venerable l.p.It was a gorgeous piece of an audio component loaded with all the automated and computerized gizmos any hi-fi tech junkie could possibly desire (servo computer controlled tonearm, laser light to detect record size,precise cueing of the arm in either direction without ever touching the arm itself, heavy,shiny rosewood base, etc.)The only major drawback of the computerized loaded Denons was when a circuitboard or chip burned out or problems developed with the automated arm, without warranty, repairs became costly and parts were scarce and almost non-existant.On top, you had to find yourself a specialized turntable repair guy who not only could fix the mechanical issues, but who thoroughly understood and could repair or replace microprocessors(in this day and age VERY few turntable repair techs out there). The later Denon turntables proved to be finicky and touchy machines that would develop arm, servo motor, or speed playback problems...In the end they were pretty to look at but not reliable in the long run and expensive to repair.Just look at some of the Denons listed on eBay (some are listed to sell but with major computerized arm or motor speed fluctuation issues ). Still, their playback operation was ultra-smooth, precise and extremely quiet.That servo-computerized tonearm was something to marvel at.Unfortunately, the tradeoff that was sacrificed for all the electronic micro-processed controls was long lasting reliable durability! Hmmm...Maybe this is why Denon finally decided to go the manual route and avoid the high tech automatic controls that would malfunction sooner or later ?...

After testing out this turntable I was no more impressed or floored than using my reliable Technics SL1200 M3D...The MAJOR advantage the Technics has over this Denon is that it can be used either as a true bonafide DJ turntable or a home deck to listen to records and transfer some vinyl to cd-r format.The Denon is only an in home deck and sports no fine pitch control slide or dial or any other "user-friendly" sound/play-back adjustment except for the anti-skating control. This is used for decreasing inner-groove sound distortion. A tonearm will tend to drift and lean in more towards the left-inside channel as the needle nears the end of playback...

Now, fast forward to the present. In all likelihood Denon has probably addressed these automated/computerized/servo-motor issues by coming up with a manual operating turntable.Nothing gimmicky or electronic to malfunction.Straight and simple playback operation of your favorite vinyl tunes.The DP-500MX is simple,classy, yet understated in looks and mechanical design.It's in the internal makings that you get quiet and stable high performance from it's quartz-speed accurate controlled direct drive motor (that's right folks, no belts to break or stretch or replace, YAY !).It's contemporary styling and looks are decent to say the least. It's playback performance is ultra smooth. To get the most out of this turntable it should be used with a mid to high end audiophile grade cartridge (Audio Technica AT 440ML, any Grado cartridge in the Prestige series or higher---just to name a few).Again, this is not a DJ turntable. Buying a DJ or low grade cartridge/stylus would be a mistake. This time Denon has gone the extra mile to make the platter and base heavy and coat the underside of the platter to keep both internal(direct drive motor vibrations) and external noise or rumble away from the phono pick up stage. You get clear vinyl playback (though you still get the normal pops, ticks, and clicks inherent in analog vinyl). No distortion from any kind of unwanted feedback in the audio chain. This is a major plus !

As for the price you may ask? OUCH !!! You really have to be a die hard Denon fan. There are other top reputable name brands out there that sell their 'tables with more features and a higher reliability track record than Denon.Their cost is much lower or somewhat comparable to this Denon's price tag.However, since this Denon lacks any computer controlled or microprocessor automated functions (one -less- thing- to- break- down theory), it's reliability factor has shot up by a whopping margin. Only time will tell if Denon has hit the bulls-eye right this time with their manual, no frills approach (this is not the first manually driven Denon---the 60's and 70's produced some highly sought after models).If you are going for style,simplicity,solid build, improvement on noise filtering/isolation playback characteristics, the Denon fits the bill. HOWEVER, it is a very pricy bill at that!

Due to the heavy price tag issue(for a turntable in this class or range), lacking improved or updated automated features (couch potatos will not like this model at all),but still possessing both a solid anti-vibration platter and plinth chasis and motor build, 3 stars!