I was just gifted a Denon DP-7F turntable with a Grado ZF 8 cartridge. The Denon's manufacturing date is July 1993. I believe the Grado is original to these models. Everything is working fine and I am interested in upgrading the cartridge. I am not new to records or turntables but have recently downsized my vinyl collection to fewer than a thousand LPs and sold my Panasonic RD 2900 and Project Essential II turntables. I liked the convenience of the DD automatic Panasonic and the performance of the belt drive Project but was not entirely happy with either. I have also owned Sony, Onkyo and BIC turntables. The Sony being the only one that had a Pmount system as it was linear tracking. The Denon should get me through until I replace it with something new - probably in the $500 range or possibly a bit more - and then it would be used in a bedroom system.
I understand the limitations of the Pmount system and the common criticism but after auditioning the DP-7F I found it's performance surprising and more than adequate for something temporary. I listen to rock, jazz and classical music. Most of my vinyl is second hand yet in very good to excellent condition and I don't plan on buying many new $25 LPs as I have always done well purchasing good used vinyl. I also would be interested in digitizing some of my collection if on the off chance a decent cartridge on the Denon would perform as well as the Project with its Ortofon OM 5 cartridge.
Associated gear : Marantz NR1200 and Monitor Audio Bronze 200 speakers. Additionally the NR1200's Pure Direct function has worked wonderfully with the Denon.
What are your thoughts - but primarily what are your recommendations on a $50 to $100 cartridge for the Denon DP-7F. If someone has experience with a DP-7F with an even more expensive cart I am all ears as I have realized DD and automatic return are essential for my enjoyment of vinyl and am curious about this Denon's potential. I would do the mounting myself, of course. Thanks.
I understand the limitations of the Pmount system and the common criticism but after auditioning the DP-7F I found it's performance surprising and more than adequate for something temporary. I listen to rock, jazz and classical music. Most of my vinyl is second hand yet in very good to excellent condition and I don't plan on buying many new $25 LPs as I have always done well purchasing good used vinyl. I also would be interested in digitizing some of my collection if on the off chance a decent cartridge on the Denon would perform as well as the Project with its Ortofon OM 5 cartridge.
Associated gear : Marantz NR1200 and Monitor Audio Bronze 200 speakers. Additionally the NR1200's Pure Direct function has worked wonderfully with the Denon.
What are your thoughts - but primarily what are your recommendations on a $50 to $100 cartridge for the Denon DP-7F. If someone has experience with a DP-7F with an even more expensive cart I am all ears as I have realized DD and automatic return are essential for my enjoyment of vinyl and am curious about this Denon's potential. I would do the mounting myself, of course. Thanks.
Last edited:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram