I've had this turntable for a bit now and have used it a number of times. Bluetooth pairing is easy and the sound quality is very good coming out of my soundbar. As far as appearance it looks great, clean, sleek modern and high-end. Definitely an upscale and solid turntable to bring my wax back to life.
Some issues that I have are that the instructions could definitely be more clear as well as detailed. I hadn't really used the turntable in a few decades, so it would have been nice to have a little hand holding in regards to dialing it in perfectly. I mean we're talking about a $900 turntable so I expected a certain level of thoroughness and polish. I've owned Denon receivers and they definitely put out quality products.
One gripe that I had to share is that when I initially requested this item it stated it featured a USB port for recording your vinyl to digital. This was a huge feature for me (completely driving my initial excitement) and I was greatly disappointed after finding out that it did not have this feature, especially for the price. Aside from that, it's definitely a solid quality audiophile level turntable, that gives me nostalgic enjoyment. Overall I would recommend it for anyone looking for luxury level turntable that is not looking for USB transfer of music.
Michael
★★★★★
Excellent Hardware and Easy Setup, but the Manual Holds It Back
The DP‑500BT made a strong first impression. Packaging was secure, nothing arrived damaged, and setup took me about 45 minutes - half unboxing, half balancing the tonearm. I’m slow and careful, but the instructions were short and clear enough, even if the arm‑balancing section took a couple rereads. Denon includes multiple snap‑on plug adapters for different countries, which is a nice touch.
There’s no AUX output, so you’ll need compatible speakers for the component outs or use Bluetooth. I chose Bluetooth and pairing was effortless. There is a tiny audio delay if you put your ear right next to the needle with the speaker volume low, but at normal listening distance and volume it’s not noticeable. Sound quality was good, though in my setup the speaker (a Beats Pill) was the limiting factor. A speaker with EQ would let you shape the sound more.
The semi‑automatic operation worked correctly, and the build quality feels solid - certainly a major step up from the cheap all‑in‑one record player I own. Whether it’s worth six times the price depends on expectations, but the materials and operation feel appropriate for a higher‑end unit.
I did run into two issues on my first record: a brief speed dip every minute and a skip when I stood up. The skip is likely my floors, which are loose and creaky, and the speed issue disappeared when I switched to a different record. I truly believe the speed dip was a warped record. The bigger problem was the online troubleshooting guide. It’s extremely generic, offering only a few bullet points and no real explanation of how counterweight or anti‑skate settings affect playback. For a turntable that requires proper setup, the documentation should be far better.
The hardware itself feels like a five‑star product, but the weak support materials bring it down a notch. A great turntable once it’s dialed in, but be prepared to figure out the finer points on your own.
neelordeb
★★★★★
Sounds as good as it looks!
After delivery, while unpacking I really enjoyed the triple box, and the turntable was delivered without any flaws that I could see.
Easily assembled, place platter on spindle and attach the belt, attach the cartridge assembly with a twist, and set the balance and counterweight. Lots of instructions on the web to assist you if needed – the entire process only takes a few minutes. I did test the Bluetooth on a set of headphones and it worked flawlessly. I hooked this up to my Pioneer Home theater setup, thus used the phono stage included with my Amp. To test the sound I used an already broken in elliptical diamond needle and cartridge from Audio-Technica - it attached on the stock tonearm with no problems.
This sounded amazing, to my ear could hear nothing but 33.3 RPM with incredible tracking. No Wobble or distortion was noticed and overall this Denon functioned flawlessly.
M
mickey223
★★★★★
Great turntable for both old and new tech
I am of the generation that started with a mix of vinyl, 8-track, and cassette tape. I still own and use our original system from '82 and something about that vinyl scratch has always had my heart.
The Denon DP-500BT is definitely an upgrade to my original system. Saying that, there are a lot of standalone turntables out there, but to truly enjoy the DP-500BT, you will need an amp and speakers at a minimum.
The quality of the turntable is amazing. The brushed aluminum finish and two tone platter with solid base really helps show off the years of experience and craftsmanship of Denon.
Out of the box, setup is easy with the included guide. Everything is boxed and secured well. The included power adapter offers several regional adapter plugs. Everything fits and functions well when setup is complete.
The sound quality is that familiar vinyl sound you know and love. The included head rides smoothly along the tracks. The included preamp works well with powered speakers, but paired with an amp and receiver really makes you feel it.
With the included Bluetooth feature, you can easily connect to headphones or speaker with the push of a button. The digital conversion does a phenomenal job of maintaining that vinyl sound. I have to admit, I did move the player outside, connected to some Bluetooth headphones and listened to some classic Queen while mowing the yard. The Bluetooth did well without any loss of connection or disruption. Overall this has been a great experience and any vinyl lover would be pleased with the purchase.
J
Joshua Tew
★★★★★
Phenomenal record player
This record player is absolutely stunning. I was on the fence about the price tag, but I’ve soon found out that the price is for the quality you receive with this product. It’s heavy and solid. I have no fear that it will last my lifetime.
The record player is easy to build and it has the hook up option for wired speakers, but it also has the coolest Bluetooth connectivity option for a Bluetooth speaker or wireless headphones. I love the needle cover feature that allows the needle to be protected when not in use. I just love the sleek look it has, and it doesn’t take up much space.
I look forward to using this record player quite often in the future. I would recommend this product if it’s within your budget. You get what you pay for.
M
M. Smiley
★★★★★
Solid offering from a big name, but could be more
Thus far, I have fed my vinyl revival with vintage gear. Technics direct drive and Pioneer belt drive turntables from the 70s and early 80s. This modern revision will naturally be compared to those classics. Besides the addition of Bluetooth and a built-in (albeit weak) preamp, it does not do much beyond its thrift-store loving ancestors. At least it sounds great, with accurate tone and no discernible wow or flutter. Overall, a very simple and minimalist deck for those who appreciate the Denon name.
Pros:
- great sound
- auto raise at end
- nice tonearm and cartridge
- crystal-clear cover
- well-packaged
Cons:
- not enough gain in preamp
- no auto tonearm return
- preamp switch labelled “equalizer” makes it feel cheap
High Tech Garden Creature
★★★★★
Wonderfully made turntable
I will preface this by saying I know very little about record players, so this will just be my limited experience of using this turntable.
My experience with unboxing was wonderful, I felt like a kid at Christmas. Each piece was well protected in the box and is sturdy and well made. Following the installation instructions went well, though it took me a while to realize that the "Stylus pressure adjustment ring" was actually on the counterweight and could turn, but once I figured that out I got everything sorted.
During assembly I could see the precision of the parts and FEEL the quality of the engineering. The deck is heavy and sturdy and adding the machined platter and smooth platter mat together just feels so satisfying. Each adjustment is a pleasure since you are working with quality parts. The platter spins so smoothly, it just tickles the senses. Once I finally got everything assembled and the stylus pressure adjusted I hooked it up to my Denon AVR-X1700H 7.2 Channel AV Receiver.
The sound of the records on this paired with my receiver is lovely. It is so satisfying to have a hands on experience with listening to music, selecting the album, setting it, and setting the stylus down before listening. I know this isn't particular to this turntable, but interacting with the quality of this unit really makes this extra special. I've wanted a record player for a long time and this was all that I could have dreamed of and I expect to enjoy this unit for many years to come. I'm happy with this product.
Juniorverse
★★★★★
Top quality materials and sound, a whole different [better] listening experience over using MP3s
It's been a while since I've owned a quality record player. My last player was a Bluetooth-recording only player whose sole purpose was for converting LPs to digital files. It worked okay, but I eventually got rid of it and have been without an LP player for a while.
It was time to break out some classic 90s dance music on the many LPs I have. This record player is a piece of art. It's really well made and produces beautiful sound. While I am waiting for some new LPs to show up from my favorite DJ, Offer Nissim, I decided to break out some of my other LPs, including Madonna's best album "Ray of Light" when she collaborated with William Orbit for a completely different sound. It's been years since I have heard the original LP and not an MP3 of the album and listening to it on this record player was like a different experience compared to MP3s. It sounded so rich and beautiful on this player.
Setup was relatively easy by following the included, clearly written instructions. It took 10 minutes or so, but I got it right on the second attempt. The materials are top notch, and the player overall just looks and feels like top quality. The added Bluetooth functionality allows you to stream the music to a PC etc. for recording or streaming directly to Bluetooth speakers. It works well, but the sound isn't as good as playing through my phono cables on my 11.2 speaker setup of course.
The product was well packaged and protected in the original box, so there is very little chance it will arrive damaged.
Five stars for the build quality, look, and of most importantly, the sound.
A
Andre LeBlanc
★★★★★
Nice table but still has room for improvement at this price range.
Product: Denon DP-500BT Hi-Fi Bluetooth Turntable (Black), Built-in Switchable Phono Preamp, USB Direct Recording, Semi-Automatic Operation, MM Cartridge, 33⅓, 45 & 78 RPM Belt-Drive Vinyl Record Player
Price at the time of this review: $899.99
PROS
- Robust packaging. I had concerns that if the delivery was handled rough, something could break. The way it's packaged, there is very little chance of that without making a deliberate, concerted effort to damage it.
- Denon craftsmanship. Very nice brushed aluminum parts. Everything (except the RCA cables and 45 adapter puck) has a very quality about it.
- The counterweight on the tonearm is buttery smooth, allowing you to get the perfect adjustment for your particular stylus/cartridge. (Ships with a type MM, model DSN-85.) Once you set that, then you can set the anti-skate dial as well.
- The feet have what I call floating pads to help isolate any vibrations
- Hydraulically damped lift control and lockable rest for the tone arm
- Bluetooth connectivity including aptX codecs for nearly lossless quality to any BT devices that support the format. Ability to control the BT volume directly from the turntable
- Has what I'll call an RCA line level booster to increase the lineout signal to devices that don't have a traditional phono input with matching ohm rating. Denon simply refers to this as an "Equalizer" switch.
- Cartridge has a protector flat that folds down to protect the stylus from accidentally hitting the table during transit or tonearm adjustment.
CONS
- Contrary to the product title and listing details (at the time of this review), this unit does NOT have USB functionality. This is a pretty big error that Denon needs to correct. It was one of the features I was actually looking forward to utilizing.
- The RCA cables that it came with felt rather low quality. I'd expect something a bit more robust feeling at this price range.
- The 45 adapter was nothing more than a cheap plastic disc. Again, at this price range, that should be a no-brainer to have it be machined aluminum to match the rest of aesthetic.
- S/N ratio is listed at 62%. Would like to see something above 65% in this price range.
GENERAL / OVERALL
I am not an audiophile. My home theater is midrange at best. And notably, I didn't have any high quality albums to test with. That being said, any audiophiles are going to likely have a preference for a cartridge as well as very specific vinyl that they enjoy. Or even more so, if they are looking at a turntable in this price range, they are likely to already have a few comparable models in mind. I feel like this particular unit is right on the cusp of being slightly higher priced than it should be. But drop the price, and then you're comparing this to Denon's DP-450USB. There, you're trading aluminum for MDF plinth, and Bluetooth for USB recording.
