Description
Ive owned this Denon DP 51F for about seven years, or so. It has been installed in one of my systems, upstairs, downstairs, or in the office all that time. It has not had heavy use, but has been used regularly, with no issues. There are a couple of cosmetic issues, the dust cover is swirled, and there is a scuff, but no cracks. The dust cover badge is in good shape. The hinges hold the cover up, but one of them is a little weak. The veneer below the control panel up front is starting to lift at the lower corners. This is not my field of expertise so I have left it alone. Close inspection of the veneer and finish elsewhere will show signs of use and age (but nothing frightening). It is unmodified and in Good condition, and while not pristine, it presents well. All control switches and indicator lights are working correctly It is a Full Automatic Turntable, one button operation.This TT uses an optical reader and windows in the turn table and mat to detect a record and the size, either 7 or 12 (so its important to have the mat clocked correctly-- see the manual). It can detect clear records as well as solid, but you must rotate the mat per the manual for the system to read clear records. If no record is detected the arm will not move, saving your cartridge and stylus from damage, unless you select manual. The tonearm is microprocessor controlled, Anti-Skate and cartridge down force are set with the two convenient dials at the base of the tone arm. The head shell is removable (and available, as are dust cover hinges and capacitor kits). The aluminum arm is compatible with high compliance cartridges, Moving Magnet or Moving Iron, (I almost always used a Shure V 15 variant, or a Grado Gold). I have tested down force with my digital scale and the markings at the tone arm matched the reading on my scale. I did not test the Anti-Skate dial accuracy, except with a test record when I first set up the TT, or changed cartridges (right and left channel bias) I have usually had the Anti Skate set lower than called for, which is a thing with me.The TT can be used in a Manual mode, and there is a Cue, up/down on the front control panel, as well as Start and Stop. I have checked speed control with a strobe disc and it was spot on. An indicator light on the front panel indicates when speed is locked. It comes up to speed very quickly. It handled the soft floors in my 115 year old house, without a hiccup. I am including what I think might be an Empire 250 cartridge with what looks to be a fresh 40E replacement stylus. I think I can include the Empire users guide... The cartridge is to be considered a gift, and I cant vouch for its condition or provenance (I would start with 1.5 gram for tracking force and experiment if I cant find the Empire guide) I will include a 45 adapter, but I only used the TT at 33 1/3. The RCA Phono Out connectors and the power cord seem original. This is a North American market 120 V 50/60 cycle unit, so no step-up transformer is needed for A/C power like with a Japanese market item. It operated very quietly in all my systems, no hum, clicks, etc. I have not opened the bottom. It has not been professionally serviced in the time Ive had it and it has not needed repair. This is a vintage piece of electronic gear that was at the pointy end of tech for its time (state of the art), and the top model in this line. It has operated flawlessly for me. That being said, the set up is different than what you might be used to. The operation is straight forward, and simple to operate. I am including downloaded Owners and Service manuals, I suggest you give them a quick read before set up and use (you can find them on vinylengine.com if you want a preview of what Im sending). I have sold and purchased turntables on line. I have been at the bad end of a terrible packaging job only once, and certainly know what it feels like to see THAT box on the doorstep. I will package the platter and mat in a LP mailer and secure that to the inside bottom of the box. Multiple plies of card board and then the TT. The arm will be blocked in place at both ends, and cable tied (colored so it can be seen), and a cardboard shield will cover the motor and sensors, and the spindle bearing. The head shell and 45 adapter will be bagged, and along with protected cartridge, be taped to the inverted dust cover. All tape inside the box will be blue masking tape, so hopefully no struggle, no residue. Yes, there will be some of those D@^$# peanuts and Styrofoam blocks, but they will be re-used, as almost all my packaging and dunnage is. The box will be marked Fragile and This side up. I will set the insurance for the purchase price. If for some reason you do not want to use a particular carrier (I actually prefer USPS, and that will be the default) or do not want signature required, please notify me at once so that I can accommodate. CONTINENTAL USA ONLY, and Pay Pal confirmed address please. I will warranty for operation for 30 days, you may return it to me at your expense and I will refund the purchase price if it is defective. If there is an issue contact me through ebay first so I know whats up and we can make arrangements, or we can figure out the issue. Finally, this is a good turntable if youre moving up and want a full auto. It might even be a good first turntable, but the set-up, while not difficult, is not typical. If your amp or pre-amp does not have a PHONO input and RCA jacks, you will need a transformer or phono amp to get the output up to line levels (same output level as a CD player or tuner) and these are available on ebay (you dont need an expensive one).
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