The Denon DP-300F is absolutely nothing new, but who cares; in the field of vinyl turntables, obsolescence is not an option. Its launch dates back a few years and its reference price is 400 €. But in practice, we can currently afford it for 280 €. This makes it a particularly interesting model both for its build quality and its fully automatic controls and especially its sound performance.
Denon DP-300F
Type: Automatic belt-driven turntable with built-in phono preamp
ON-mag’s opinion: 
(5/5)
Price at the time of the test: 280 €
>>> FIND ALL OUR TESTS IN OUR GUIDES AND ONLINE MAGAZINES
With its relatively wide, deep and massive base, with a “glossy” appearance (as if lacquered), the Denon DP-300F is an affordable turntable that, by far, is impressive. Getting closer, we realize that it is not top of the range, because the hull is entirely in plastic, but the appearance is rather flattering, even a bit luxurious, while tending to attract not dust badly.
It is a fully automatic belt driven turntable. It has two push buttons on the front, “start” and “stop”. When you press “start”, the tonearm rises on its own to place the cartridge on the record and the rotation of the platter begins. Conversely, when you press “stop”, the arm returns to its rest position. Stopping is also automatic when the cartridge reaches the end of the record groove. It is particularly pleasant, especially since everything is done very gently, without jerks. In addition, the turntable has two other buttons on its base, allowing you to choose the rotation speed (33 or 45 rpm) and the size of the disc (17 or 30 cm). It is also, of course, supplied with a centering device for 45 rpm.
Lots of plastic, but also aluminum and metal for an optimized reading base
The Denon DP-300F is equipped with a relatively light cast aluminum platter, but covered by a very thick rubber mat (5 mm). The tonearm seems very serious for the price. Straight type with aluminum tube, it has an adjustable counterweight with graduated wheel. Its gimbal and the base of its pivot are made of very solid metal, as is its removable headshell with bayonet lock. The latter accommodates a moving magnet cartridge (MM) specific to the brand (which is not common), DSN-85, with its integrated tip guard, which is very practical.
The base incorporates the power supply and a phono preamp. Although it’s all plastic, it’s a lot sturdier and smarter than it looks. It is made up of ABS half-shells nearly 5 mm thick. The upper half-shell supports the axis of rotation of the plate which is itself connected to the lower half-shell by a brass center distance resting in the center of a thick metal ballast plate. The set rests on four soft rubber feet. It is both very stable and well decoupled. In use, the Denon DP-300F proves to be very insensitive to external disturbances, while operating very quietly.
A well-camped and powerful sound
This economical and intelligent design, as well as the quality of the tonearm and the cartridge, undoubtedly pay off in terms of sound performance. Compared to a Sony PS-LX310BT, a Thomson TT700, or even a Mitchell Acoustics uStream TT1, the Denon DP-300F delivers a wider frequency response, extending further, both in the bass and in the treble. It does not reach the speed, precision and level of detail of a Pro-Ject E1, but it is already superior on this point to an Enova Hifi Vision3 USB. For a turntable under €300, this Denon is particularly convincing. Its tonal balance is slightly descending, without seeming muffled. With her, the music seems to have more body than with the competitors. The bottom of the spectrum is very dense while being well maintained, relatively alert, without excessive heaviness. The rest of the spectrum is of good linearity. The Denon DP-300F does not seek to highlight the details. It rounds the angles quite a bit, but its restitution retains at the same time a certain lightness and a certain airiness. The soundstage is wide and deep. In line with the other sound characteristics of this turntable, it has a lot of breadth, but does not cultivate the artistic vagueness. On the contrary, in the absence of being ultra detoured and focused, the stereophonic image is stable, coherent and firmly established.
With its automatic functions, its construction all in plastic, but serious and clever, this Denon DP-300F vinyl turntable is for us one of the most interesting offered at less than 300 €. We appreciated its excellent ergonomics and very much liked its warm, powerful, ample and airy sound reproduction. A great success.
The Denon DP-300F dissected by ON-mag
READ ALSO: ALL OUR TURNTABLE TESTS
Specifications
- Type: Automatic belt-driven turntable with built-in phono preamp
- Speeds: 33 and 45 rpm
- Wow and flutter: 0.10%
- Aluminum tray
- Tonearm: Aluminum, straight, 221.5mm effective length, 19mm overhang, <3° tracking error, adjustable antiskate, adjustable tracking force 0-4g, compatible cartridge weight 4, 5-9.5g
- Cartridge: MM type, Denon DSN-85
- Consumption: 2 watts
- Dimensions: 434 x 122 x 381mm
- Weight: 5.5kg
- Price at the time of the test: 280 €
