Denon DP-300F Turntable, Fully Automatic

The Denon DP-300F is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable with a straight tonearm, a factory pre-mounted MM cartridge and a built-in, switchable phono preamp.

Fully automatic means: press a button, the arm swings to the first groove, plays the record through and returns on its own at the end. No lowering the stylus by hand, no needle running on if you happen to step out of the room. For anyone who wants to listen to vinyl in an uncomplicated everyday way rather than turning it into a ritual, this is exactly the right statement.

Why the DP-300F?

Because nobody here has to align anything themselves. Cartridge mounted, tracking force set at the factory, phono preamp built in and switchable off if needed – the DP-300F is the turntable for anyone who wants to listen to music rather than measure tonearm angles. The fully automatic operation also makes it uncomplicated for guests or children in the household, without half the record collection being put at risk.

What you hear

Solid, calm and with decent timing – the belt drive reliably damps motor vibrations, and the pre-mounted MM cartridge plays in a balanced, pleasantly unobtrusive way. No audiophile fireworks, but an honest, well-made performance for daily use. That's exactly the reliability you expect from a unit you don't want to operate, just listen to.

Who is the DP-300F for? (and who isn't it for)

Straight talk: ideal for an uncomplicated entry point or as a second deck for the living room – here it's about "switch on and listen", not fine-tuning. The DP-300F doesn't offer 78 rpm, only 33 1/3 and 45 – so for shellac you'll need a different model. And if you enjoy tinkering with the tonearm yourself and swapping cartridges, you'll hit the limits of this fully automatic design faster than with a manual deck.

Our verdict

The DP-300F is the convenient way back to the turntable: ready-set, fully automatic, with a built-in phono preamp. If you don't want to deal with the technology and just want to listen to music, you get a well-thought-out, cleanly built deck here – with no worry about getting something wrong the first time you drop the needle.

Technical data

• Drive: belt drive
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 rpm
• Operation: fully automatic (start at the press of a button, automatic return at the end of the track)
• Tonearm: straight, effective length 221.5 mm, overhang 19 mm, tracking angle error within 3°
• Tracking force range: 0–4.0 g
• Cartridge: MM type, pre-mounted at the factory (replacement stylus type DSN-85), weight 5 g, recommended tracking force 2.0 g
• Phono preamp: built in, switchable (rated output: 2.5 mV/1 kHz equalizer off, 150 mV/1 kHz equalizer on)
• Output level: switchable – phono level (equalizer off) or line level via the internal phono preamp (equalizer on)
• Headphone output: not available
• USB output: not available
• Power consumption: 2 W
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 434 × 122 × 381 mm (including foot)
• Weight: 5.5 kg
• Included: DP-300F deck, pre-mounted MM cartridge, dust cover, RCA cable, power cable

Frequently asked questions

Is the Denon DP-300F really fully automatic?
Yes. At the press of a button, the tonearm swings to the first groove, plays the side through and returns on its own to the rest at the end. The cartridge is pre-mounted and aligned at the factory, so you don't need to set anything yourself.

Does the DP-300F need an external phono preamp?
No, a switchable phono preamp is built in. Amplifier with its own phono input: switch the preamp off. Amplifier without a phono input: leave it switched on and connect directly to a line or AUX input.

Does the DP-300F also play 78 rpm shellac records?
No, the DP-300F only offers 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. For 78s you need a model with that third speed, such as the Denon DP-450USB or DP-400.

Who is the DP-300F especially suited for?
For anyone who wants to enjoy vinyl in an uncomplicated, everyday way – fully automatic, with no need to align anything, with a built-in phono preamp. A reliable first or second deck for the living room.

Why buy the Denon DP-300F at HD Zürisee?
Because we've known for years which entry-level decks really convince in everyday use, and we tell you honestly whether the DP-300F suits your system or whether another model makes more sense. Our technician Mauri helps with placement and connection. Call us (044 680 22 00) or message us on WhatsApp (076 534 22 00, text only, no calls).

Goes well with

If your amplifier has no phono input, it's worth looking at phono preamps, and for a later cartridge upgrade at cartridges. You'll find record brushes and care accessories at turntable accessories. More decks under turntables, the full Denon range at Denon.