Would a Technics SL-1200 MK2 be an upgrade from a Denon DP-31L?


Hi all,

just wondering if this Technics turntable is superior to my current Denon for home audio use? The Denon is my first and only turntable, and it sounds great so I have no complaints, but I wasn't sure if the Technics would be even better. Especially considering the Technics is a DJ TT, which I don't have a clue if that makes a difference for my usage in a home audio setting.
Price isn't a factor because I'll only pick it up if I can work out some kind of trade for it (although the asking price is $400 in good working order with a new self grounding RCA board installed)

any my advice would be greatly appreciated!

thanks
hockey4496
A  Kenwood KD 500 with  SME 309 for $ 500 ?  You will never find one near that price!
(A  Kenwood KD 500 with  SME 309 for $ 500 ?  You will never find one near that price!)

That is not entirely true. According to ebay sale history, The last 6-7 500's that sold on ebay went between 127 and 250, sans arm, with most below 175. Over the past 4 years or so, I have found a few with a 309 on it for in and round $500. They do not last long and get grabbed up quickly, but they are there.

I've often thought of pulling the trigger for one.
Oops, i meant 3009. My bad........thanks for making me look foolish! ;?) I wish it were a 309!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the confusion.
Dear @hockey4496 : With all my respect to the gentlemans that posted here seems to me that all of them just posted with out real foundation facts. That " superiority " that they spread here just does not exit not even on  dreams and a total misunderstood on the Technics vs Denon.

Denon is one of the best DD turntable/tonearm/cartridge/electronics/LP recordings manufacturer ever, so is not just one of the " pile ".

For example: the Denon tonearm beats easily to the 1200 one. But the Denon not only outperform the 1200 because its better tonearm but ( example again. ) its servo control is BI-Directional. This kind of servo its shared only for other vintage expensive TT as: Denon or JVC, but even really expensive vintage TTs had not.

If you take a look to this Denon link and compare against the 1200 you will see the real superiority of your Denon to the 1200MK2:

https://www.canadianhifi.com/sites/default/files/product/667/manuals/Denon%20DP%2031L%20Turntable%20...

If I was you I keep that Denon and I can go for a better cartridge ( I don't know what you have. ) or a better phono stage where you can live a real improvement over what you own. Stay away of that 1200MK2.

I don't know why you want to change your really good Denon performer but I know for sure that you need not hundred of dollars but over thousand of dollars to beat it.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.