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A Denon – and that said it all. At the time of its release, this direct-drive turntable ranked among the best-known and most highly regarded models from the Japanese manufacturer, representing an effective synthesis of the brand’s technical and design philosophy. In its day, it was regarded as a benchmark for reliability and precision – qualities that cemented its reputation and which today enhance its collector’s value.

It was a premium direct-drive turntable, characterised by solid construction and a design of great formal balance. The elegant, proportionate lines still define the appearance of the model on sale today, which boasts a refined aesthetic that has stood the test of time without losing its stylistic coherence.

In this Denon, the turntable speed was controlled electronically and the revolutions were detected by a magnetic sensor that regulated the rotation with an extremely high level of precision. The operating principle was based on the magnetic recording, on the inner circumference of the platter, of pulses detected by the magnetic cartridge and converted into voltage according to frequency. This voltage was compared with a reference value to control the voltage applied to the motor with great accuracy. 1,000 pulses were recorded with a wavelength error of just 0.01%, enabling particularly accurate speed detection and rapid, effective servo control, with excellent results in terms of wow and flutter.

Thanks to this design solution, it was possible to maintain a stable rotational speed even as load conditions varied, such as in the case of stylus pressure variations. Furthermore, the servo circuit provided thermal compensation and was powered by a stabilised DC source, making the rotational speed insensitive to fluctuations in mains frequency and voltage, as well as to changes in ambient temperature.

A solid-rotor AC torque motor was used for the drive, a technical choice that ensured smoother rotation characteristics and reduced vibration compared to traditional synchronous motors and DC motors. The use of a carefully shaped AC waveform also helped to significantly reduce rumble, completing a design which, in its day, represented one of the most mature expressions of Denon engineering applied to direct-drive turntables.

A collector’s item, refurbished and in good cosmetic condition.