Denon DP-400 Turntable with Phono Preamp

The Denon DP-400 is a belt-drive turntable with an S-shaped tonearm, a factory pre-mounted MM cartridge and a built-in, switchable phono preamp.

Semi-automatic here means: you lower the stylus yourself, and at the end of the track the arm lifts automatically and swings back. No jumping up to the wall, no needle scratching for hours in the run-out groove because someone forgot to get up. Plus a tonearm whose S shape isn't just a nod to Denon tradition, but also tracks accurately.

Why the DP-400?

Because it delivers a complete deck with no tinkering required: cartridge mounted and aligned, phono preamp built in and switchable, three speeds including 78 rpm for old shellac records with the right stylus. The removable dust cover also doubles as a small stand for your current album cover – a nice, low-key touch you only appreciate once you've used it.

What you hear

Calm, balanced, with stable speed control – the DC servo motor reliably holds the speed, and the MM cartridge delivers a rounded, effortless sound with no harshness. The DP-400 never pushes itself into the foreground, it simply plays cleanly through, whether it's a jazz trio or full-band pop. You can tell Denon has been building turntables for decades: nothing here feels like a new manufacturer's first attempt.

Who is the DP-400 for? (and who isn't it for)

Straight talk: a very good entry point or second deck if you value solid build quality but don't (yet) want to reach for the high-end shelf. If you need USB digitisation, the DP-450USB is the right choice – the DP-400 deliberately doesn't have it on board. If, on the other hand, you want to dive straight into tonearm and tracking force and experiment with different cartridges, you'll eventually outgrow this deck and find more room to play in higher Denon classes.

Our verdict

The DP-400 is a thoroughly well-thought-out entry- to mid-level deck: mounted, aligned, with a phono preamp – you're listening to records the same evening. Honest value for money, no ifs or buts. If you're unsure whether it should be the DP-400 or its USB sibling, the DP-450USB: sonically, the two are neck and neck, and the decision comes down purely to whether you need digitising.

Technical data

• Drive: belt drive, DC servo motor
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm
• Wow and flutter: 0.1% (WRMS)
• Operation: semi-automatic, auto-lift/auto-stop at the end of the track
• Tonearm: statically balanced, S-shaped, effective length 220 mm, overhang 16 mm
• Tracking force range: 0–4.0 g
• Cartridge: MM type, pre-mounted at the factory (replacement stylus type DSN-85)
• Phono preamp: built in, switchable (equalizer off: 2.5 mV / equalizer on: 150 mV)
• 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: 10 W (operation), 0.5 W or less (standby)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 412 × 132 × 348 mm
• Weight: 5.6 kg (including dust cover)
• Included: DP-400 deck, pre-mounted MM cartridge, removable dust cover (also usable as a cover stand), RCA cable, power cable

Frequently asked questions

Is a cartridge already mounted on the Denon DP-400?
Yes, an MM cartridge is pre-mounted and aligned at the factory. You connect the deck and get started, with no need to set the overhang or tracking force yourself.

Does the DP-400 need an external phono preamp?
No. It has a built-in, switchable phono preamp. If your amplifier has its own phono input, switch it off; if it only has line inputs, leave it switched on and go directly into an AUX input.

What does "semi-automatic" mean on the DP-400?
You lower the stylus onto the record manually. At the end of the side, the tonearm automatically lifts and swings back onto its rest – so the needle doesn't scratch endlessly in the run-out groove.

Can the DP-400 also play 78 rpm shellac records?
The 78 rpm speed is available, but for clean tracking you'll need a stylus with the appropriate 78 rpm profile – the pre-mounted MM stylus is designed for microgroove records (33/45).

Why buy the Denon DP-400 at HD Zürisee?
Because we show you how to connect it correctly and tell you honestly whether a later cartridge upgrade would even be worth it for you. As a specialist retailer with our own technician Mauri, we make sure the connection and advice fit your system. Call us (044 680 22 00) or message us on WhatsApp (076 534 22 00, text only, no calls).

Goes well with

For a later cartridge upgrade, you'll find a selection under cartridges, and if your amplifier has no phono input, under phono preamps. Record brushes, cleaning products & co. are available at turntable accessories. More decks under turntables, the full Denon range at Denon.