What would be the best "attainable" Denon turntabl

Don't know why the DP500M is so unloved, but the Technics certainly stands as a best buy, by all accounts. (I own vintage types.)

Electrically restored DP80 in a slate plinth is in the same ballpark with an electrically restored Technics SP10 Mk2 in a slate plinth, and the Denon is much less expensive for some mysterious reason. I own both. Electrical work on Denon includes replace all electrolytic caps, upgrade some transistors (there are modern equivalents with better performance and reliability), evaluate function of the one IC in the circuit. If IC is bad, replacement part is available. All of that work was done for me by a pro for less than $300. DP75 mentioned by T is pretty much the same animal as DP80. I also added damping material to the underside of the decorative ring that surrounds the platter. Otherwise, the ring rings.

http://www.hifido.co.jp/KW/G0301/P0/A10/E/30-10/S0

I was surfing Hifido, when I found the above item. Great turntable and tonearm with decent plinth for less than $1K. Hifido will ship internationally.

The DP75 on Hifido may be gone by now, but I would jump on it if I were you. You get a high class tonearm in the bargain, which is why I would bet it has already sold. Hifido is good about shipping to US or other.

Johnny, Do you use the 500M? If you do, and if you like it, then fine. But others have roundly criticized its quality of construction and performance here and elsewhere. However, Denon did just start to market a souped up audiophile version that might be interesting. In the main, however, the best Denon tables are vintage, IMO. It will be interesting to see whether the DP500M or its upscale counterpart can draw the attention of SL1200-lovers, now that SL1200 is discontinued.

Torque of DP500M motor = 4.5kg/cm. That's impressive and up there with the SP10 Mk2. DP500M chassis remounted in a better plinth with an upgraded tonearm might be quite something.

Hey T, Do you like to track at 100 gm? Just kidding. If their torque figure is accurate, then the max VTF before speed variation should calculate out to be just about 75% of the value given for the SP10 Mk2, which has 6 kg/cm torque, if memory serves. And memory is a bitch sometimes.