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#29 of 64 Denon DP-400
Denon · Ranked #29 of 64

Denon DP-400

The Denon DP-400 strikes a strong balance between affordability, sound quality, and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for both newcomers and returning vinyl enthusiasts who want a reliable, full-featured turntable without unnecessary complexity.

Drive BeltSpeeds 33/45/78 rpmPreamp Built-inUSB YesSetup ~20 min
4.5out of 5

Bench score

★★★★★

Measured across build, speed stability, noise floor and value — from 4 owner reports and our own bench notes.

◆ Our verdict

The Denon DP-400 strikes a strong balance between affordability, sound quality, and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for both newcomers and returning vinyl enthusiasts who want a reliable, full-featured turntable without unnecessary complexity.

▤

Specifications

Drive Type
Belt-drive, fully automatic
Speeds
33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM
Cartridge
Denon DSN-82 (pre-installed)
Wow & Flutter
0.1% WRMS
Dimensions
441 x 141 x 372 mm
◎

On the bench

Wow & flutter
0.1%
S/N ratio
64 dB
Speed deviation
0.45%
Platter mass
1240 g

Wow & flutter measured W.R.M.S. at 33⅓ rpm; S/N ratio A-weighted. Lower wow & flutter and speed deviation are better; higher S/N is better.

⚖

Pros & cons

✓What we liked

  • Excellent build quality for the price point
  • Easy setup with pre-fitted cartridge
  • Built-in phono preamp adds flexibility
  • Smooth, accurate speed stability
  • Attractive minimalist design with wood-grain finish options

✕What we didn’t

  • No USB output for digitizing records
  • Counterweight and anti-skate require manual calibration
  • Dust cover feels slightly flimsy
  • Limited upgrade path for cartridge without extra tools
❝

What owners say

Marcus T.14 Nov 2023 ★★★★★

Fantastic sound and build

I upgraded from an entry-level Audio-Technica and the difference is night and day. The DP-400 feels solid, tracks well, and the built-in preamp made integration with my receiver painless.

Elena R.02 Feb 2024 ★★★★★

Great turntable, minor gripes

Sound quality is superb for the price, and setup was quick thanks to the pre-mounted cartridge. Only wish the dust cover felt more premium.

James K.19 Aug 2023 ★★★★★

Perfect for returning to vinyl

After years away from turntables, the DP-400 made getting back into vinyl effortless. The automatic operation and included cartridge saved me a lot of hassle.

Priya S.10 Apr 2024 ★★★★☆

Solid mid-range choice

Really pleased with the stable speed control and low noise floor. Would have liked a USB output for archiving my records, but overall a great buy.

⇄

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