The Denon DP-400 turntable serves as the entry-level model from the Japanese manufacturer. Nonetheless, it perfectly caters to consumers seeking a simple, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing product.
DENON DP-400: CHASSIS
The turntable comes in a glossy black or white finish.
Its aluminum platter is covered with a rubber mat and is driven by a DC motor via a belt. It offers three rotation speeds: 33, 45, and 78 RPM.
At the back of the turntable, there's a Phono or Line connection via RCA, along with an On/Off switch and a grounding terminal. An auto-stop switch activates a "semi-automatic" feature, wherein at the end of the vinyl record, the tonearm lifts and the platter stops rotating.
DENON DP-400: TONEARM AND PHONO CARTRIDGE
The tonearm is conventional yet well-designed, featuring an aluminum tube with an "S" profile. Anti-skating is applied laterally via a graduated dial.
The universal cartridge holder is removable, allowing for quick cartridge changes, such as for playing Mono or 78 RPM records.
The DP-400 comes equipped with a "basic" MM cartridge. While it may not fully match the turntable's capabilities, we recommend upgrading to a more "worthy" cartridge in the long run.
DENON DP-400: INTEGRATED PHONO PREAMP AND DUST COVER
The Denon DP-400 includes a phono preamp. While decent, it may show its limitations with a more high-performance cartridge. Nevertheless, it serves its purpose and can be useful initially.
The DP-400 is supplied with a dust cover. Denon includes a base with it, allowing the cover to be placed vertically and displaying the record sleeve.
DENON DP-400: TESTING & LISTENING
The listening experience meets expectations for a product in this range. However, the cartridge exhibits minimal surface noise, mainly due to its design, which also affects the harmonics and musicality. To compare it with competitors equipped with a cartridge of similar quality, we replaced it with an Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge.
The sound reproduction is smooth and dynamic, with a generally soft and dark balance. It doesn't prioritize clarity and definition like some competitors. The DP-400 seems less neutral than a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo turntable but offers a smoother sound profile, making it easier to pair with certain Japanese electronics.
The Denon DP-400 turntable is an excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive, simple product with automation features.
FranckArm: S-shaped aluminium
Drive: belt
Speeds: 33, 45 & 78 T
Phono sensitivity: 2.5 mV / 1 kHz
Cartridge: MM
Output level: 2.5 mV
Pressing force: 2.0 g
Stylus: DSN-85
Output: Phono / line
Turntable cover: Rubber
Mains adaptor: 12v
Dust cover: yes
Cover rest: yes
Phono cable: yes
Dimensions: 414 x 342 x 132 mm
Weight: 5.8 kg
Customer reviews
Bon produit
J'ai contacté un conseiller pour offrir une platine automatique ou semi automatique, c'est certainement un bon choix m'a-t-on assuré. Une fois réceptionnée, je lui ai monté une 2M Silver et j'ai ajusté le VTA par un petit bidouillage (à savoir utiliser un couvre plateau plus fin que celui d'origine) car le VTA n'est pas réglable sur ce modèle. J'ai aussi rajouté un vrai câble phono de la marque Pro-Ject. j'espère que le cadeau plaira et durera dans le temps :-)