Denon VL12 Prime Turntable With Ortofon Blue Cartridge

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General:
Lightly used Denon turntable fitted with a gently used Ortofon Blue cartridge and record clamp.

No longer available new from Denon so this might be the cleanest example you will find.

More from Denon:

TRUE QUARTZ LOCKED, DIRECT-DRIVE PRO DJ TURNTABLE
• Isolation feet eliminate unwanted vibration and feedback
• Highest-in-industry 5kgf/cm torque on “High” setting
• Innovative ‘easy grip/brake’ chamfered platter redefines tactile DJ touch
• Isolated motor design, for optimal signal-to-noise ratio
• S-shaped tone arm for accurate tracking
• Reinterpreted tone arm support with dual-function ‘lock or rest’ feature
• Durable tone arm base and high-quality brushed metal controls
• 2-speed operation 33 1/3rd and 45 RPM (45 RPM adapter included)
• Adjustable pitch range: ±8%, 16%, 50%
• Built-in RGB lighting illuminates platter’s edge
• Color selection and brightness controls

DESIGNED FOR TODAY, BUILT FOR THE FUTURE
The Denon DJ VL12 PRIME sets the new bar position as the most superior turntablist technology available today. Featuring the most optimal acoustic isolation capabilities, able to handle any loud, bass-heavy environment, there’s no classic or control vinyl-based gig the VL12 cannot handle. This true quartz locked, direct-drive Pro DJ Turntable offers you the most exhilarating ‘hands-on’ performance experience you could ever imagine.

POWERFUL, VISUAL, TACTILE, CREATIVE!
Visually stunning and customizable to your DJ branding preference, the VL12’s platter light ring can be set to a multitude of colors, with adjustable brightness and a ‘lights-out’ mode too. The platter itself features an easy grip/brake, chamfered shape, so you can make the most direct and subtle adjustments to your vinyl mix. The VL12’s beauty and elegance needs power to complete the circle; the VL12 PRIME’s adjustable, and ‘highest in industry’ torque ensures that your mixing, scratching and cutting experience on the VL12 is always solidly accurate, so your legacy is assured.

SOUNDING YOU OUT
You are defined as a DJ by your musical choices, your performance and your sound quality – The VL12 has your back on that, no questions asked, with an innovative isolated motor design resulting in the most optimal signal-to-noise ratio. The S-shaped tonearm is beautifully engineered for accuracy in tracking, sonic performance and ease of use, plus features a reinterpreted, dual function (lock/rest) support. Whether you play original vinyl, are a Club DJ, ‘Battle-Style’ Turntablist, or rock control vinyl in DVS mode, the Denon DJ VL12 shines above conventional OEM units, offering you the contemporary, next-level standard in legacy based performance DJ’ing.

SUPERIOR ISOLATION FEET
With better feedback isolation than any other Professional DJ Turntable, the VL12 PRIME finally solves the issues you face when playing vinyl in loud, bass-heavy environments. Those bass vibrations cause havoc with ordinary turntables. But the VL12 PRIME has four special isolation feet, containing unique Denon DJ engineering technology that neutralize the sub-frequencies you encounter at bar, club and even festival-level DJ performances. Playing records on the VL12 is always a sure, solid, feedback-free experience.

BEST TORQUE IN THE DJ INDUSTRY!
Illuminated in your selected preference of one of 12 colors, the VL12 also features the highest-in-industry torque, equalling any legendary turntable you might name. Any. The Denon DJ VL12 PRIME takes you back to your roots, with superior audio, performance and visual technology to set you apart from your peers.

EASY GRIP/BRAKE CHAMFERED PLATTER
We approached this as if the DJ Turntable platter was being invented today for you, the professional DJ, and not a sloppy adoption of a consumer product from over 35 years ago, like everyone else. The VL12’s wonderfully tactile platter has an outer ring chamfer, empowering the most responsive DJ user experience when you’re ‘in-the-mix’. Tease, feel, push and pull, now you have the control you deserve. Only a “designed exclusively for the pro DJ” turntable can do this.

CLASSIC DESIGN, INNOVATIVE SUPPORT
The VL12’s superb S-shaped tonearm excels in accurately tracking your vinyl grooves and is easy and familiar to set up and use. Improving on that long-established norm however, Denon DJ has reinterpreted the actual tonearm support (never originally designed for heavy duty DJ use), with a simple, but innovative dual-function, ‘lock or rest’ feature. This keeps the tonearm and your valuable cartridge/stylus i steady at rest, secure in transit.

Brand Background:
Original Hi-Fi from Japan

Since the beginning of the 20th century, Japan has been synonymous with cutting-edge electronics. Indeed, the Japanese seem to have an inherent ability to not only visualize the future, but also create it.

Denon, Japan's original audio brand has been turning ideas into reality for over 110 years. Shaped by an intimate relationship with Japan’s national public broadcaster, NHK, the brand spent its early years developing groundbreaking technologies that would reimagine audio paradigms.

Denon quickly established itself as the world's most innovative audio brand, regularly first to deliver new technology. Since then, it has drawn on its rich history to inform countless new developments. After all, it was the brand's Hi-Fi expertise that lead Denon to create the first AV Receivers.

Now, from its Audio Works facility in Shirakawa, the brand continues to build on its legacy of technological firsts, exploring new formats, processes and products.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA and Removable Power Cord

Cosmetic Condition:
9/10 = Excellent. Perfect physical condition, gently used.. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and calibrated on our custom turntable calibration stand.

Included:
Exactly as pictured and described above.

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Manual:
Click Here

Specs:
Motor
• Drive: Quartz direct-drive
• High Torque: 5 kgf/cm (instant); 3.4 kgf/cm (stable)
• Low Torque: 3.2 kgf/cm (instant); 1.4 kgf/cm (stable)
• Starting Time: 0.3 seconds
• Braking System: Electronic

Platter
• Material: Aluminum die-cast
• Diameter: 13.1” / 332 mm
• Weight: 4.9 lbs. / 2.2 g

Tonearm
• Effective Length: 9.4” / 238 mm
• Overhang: 1.0” / 25 mm
• Offset Angle: 20.5°

Speeds
• RPM: 33⅓, 45
• Wow & Flutter: < 0.05%

Output
• Phono-level via stereo RCA cable

Pitch Range
• +-8%, +-16%, +-50%

Connections
• (2) RCA outputs (1 stereo pair)
• (1) IEC power input

Power
• Connection: IEC
• Input Voltage: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
• Consumption: 65 W

Dimensions:
17.8” x 14.0” x 5.9”
(Width X Depth X Height)
(45.1 x 35.5 x 15.0 cm)

Weight:
27 lbs.

Approximate Age:
2021

Recommended Cables:

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Flagship Phono Interconnects - Best

Testing Process:
First we try to identify any mechanical issues, particularly in the tonearm bearings. We check for freedom of movement or any resistance on both the horizontal and vertical range. There is a quick test for this which involves placing the table on its front edge and allowing the arm to swing freely like a pendulum. We then make any adjustments necessary to achieve minimal resistance and sometimes adjust the bearing pressure. On gimbal tonearms we inspect the cone tip with a magnifier.

We then asses the platter speed by using one of several methods, the most accuse is a playing a test tone on a test record and measuring the frequency out put with a frequency counter or oscilloscope. We also utilize test equipment to measure the wow and flutter to ensure its within spec. We do this for all speeds available for that particular model. Adjustments are then made to achieve proper speed which will vary depending on table drive design. Some require an adjustment of an internal or external potentiometer, some will require a pulley or motor adjustment. We also inspect the platter bearing to ensure its properly lubricated keeping in mind that some don't require lubrication at all.

We then inspect the power supply and address any issues with overworked capacitors particularly on Linn and later Thorens machines which tend to need attention.

On fully mechanical vintage tables like the Thorens TD124 and Garrard 301/401 we will go thought the entire mechanism, replace any worn parts and lubricate all components necessary to ensure smooth operation, speed change and low mechanical noise.

When fitting a new cartridge we will go through our detailed calibration process which can involve as many as 12 steps depending on the arm design. We perform this work on our custom turntable calibration rig which was developed in-house.

Some of these steps include:
Pivot to spindle adjustment
Tracing force
Anti-skate
Tonearm height
Lifter height
VTA
Azimuth
Stylus Distance and Overhang

We then do a critical listening test using our test records and our test system to ensure proper sonics.