What would you do?

Asking because I honestly don't know. What's to recap on a turntable and especially $700?

@llg98ljk ,

These Denons are chock full of little capacitors and other fiddly bits.

Quite complex for a turntable. When you recap one, you’re replacing something like close to 50 parts. That's a pretty poor explanation, but it's the best I've got with my limited knowledge. Hopefully some of the more learned guys will explain it better.

Wouldn't you need to purchase a phonograph cartridge no matter what turntable you purchased?

As to what I would do, I would not purchase a turntable with the Denon servotracer arm, but that is simply personal preference and has no bearing on if to recap or not. If you love it, go for it. You can always make more money, you can't always score vintage gear in nice condition that you love.

I like vintage turntables like the Denon mentioned or similar JVC's of the era. I am also not a fan of the bio-tracer tonearms, but it's personal. I would upgrade to an Ortofon 2M Blue, 

For $1400, I would get the new Clearaudio Compass.

I have a circa 1978 Philips AF877. Other than some maintenance like lubing the bearing and replacing the head shell leads, I have done little to the turntable. There are a few capacitors in the speed control circuit, but none that I could find in the signal path. I'm not replacing anything unless the speed gets wonky. 

For $1500 you can buy a pretty decent new table and cartridge.  Presumably being new you are less likely to run into issues with parts pooping out due to age, and there have been enough advances in manufacturing to take advantage of.  
 However logic isn’t the operative issue here.  It’s the love of resurrecting a vintage piece.  So spend what you feel is reasonable but I wouldn’t look for validation unless you need some people telling you that you aren’t crazy to enable you to do what you really want to do anyway 

Thanks for the responses so far.

@mahler123 ,

No, not seeking validation, asking from a purely financial standpoint. I love the look of these tables, so it's a keeper no matter what I decide. There are certain components on these table that if a cap goes bad it will take out an irreplaceable part and I don't want to end up with a 26lb paperweight! More of a peace of mind thing, I guess.

@motown-l ,

That Clearaudio looks very tempting.

Do you have shop you really trust to do the re-cap? 

If so then do it, you sound like you really want to do it.

If it works fine I would just use it.

Unless it’s been modified it runs on 100V 50/60 Hz - requiring a step down transformer.

DeKay

https://forum.audiogon.com/users/thecarpathi

OK, that makes sense. I didn't know it had an "active" arm.

Yes, it’s the Japanese model with the step down transformer. 

I’m leaning toward @dekay ’s recommendation. Works great, holds speed, just install a better cartridge and enjoy. Forego the recap, and if it poops out eventually I’ll put the recap loot towards a nice newer one like that Clearaudio. The point was also brought up about trusting in a shops competence to do the work. Repair shops are few and far between and I don't have the DIY skills to pull this off. Kicking around the idea of getting a soldering practice kit and honing my skills to attempt it(eventually).

For what it's worth, I picked up a Denon DP-37F a few years ago, put a new Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge in it, and have never looked back. It does have that "servotracer" tonearm, and it may be that a better cartridge would sound better in a fine but conventional arm. Still, tracking weight and anti-skate measure perfectly, and the arm tracks better than any I've ever owned. A friend has a Linn LP-12 with a Sumiko cartridge that can't track my Bob Ludwig pressing of Led Zeppelin II (which has a warp on the outer grooves). The Denon tracks it perfectly, with barely a whoosh sound for the first two revolutions. The cue is very precise and consistent, and the automatic functions, which I've always disdained, work beautifully; watching the table do its thing is like watching a mechanical ballet dancer. I've owned AR, Lenco, Gerrard, Thorens and Dual tables, all the others manual. The Denon beats them all in every way.

I replaced the cables last year, but not the caps. Never had a hiccup. And, of course, the DP-57L is a still better table. Enjoy it!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. As long as it works properly and sounds good, there's no need to recap it. 

I'd just listen and enjoy. It will tell you if it needs attention.

I had the same situation come up a couple of years ago with a vintage Sony PS-X50 turntable. I always wanted one and found one at a reasonable price. So, do I dump some money into refreshing it or just re-cartridge it and listen for awhile and then decide? I put on the tried and true 2M Blue. Two years later I'm still loving it as is. I don't feel any need to do anything else to it (other than polish the lid,, what is this lens restorer you speak of, must look into).

+1 for just leave it alone and use it.

Recap it when something goes wrong. The caps don't amplify the sound, they just run just the arm motors and the platter. I had a Sony PS X75 and loved it, lasted forever, replaced it with a Thorens TD 126MkIII. (Now that's a lot of caps!)

A 2M Blue would be a great fit. IMHO

Enjoy, have fun with it. It's a beauty and will always be worth something to a collector.

Thanks, guys.

@tunehead ,

I'm talking about an auto headlight restoration kit.  Get a good one with a drill attachment pad. If you have deeper scratches, use a really high grit sandpaper first, then an even higher one after that, then the lens restorer. Like a 1000 grit then a 3000 grit. And of course, YouTube it!

A couple guys mentioned the Ortofon Blue. Do you think the Bronze is overkill?

There's also a (allegedly) barely used Black on USAM for a really good price.

Total overkill?

run it, otherwise call Peter at PBN audio. i have 2x dp-75. Ortofon Bronze or better

the black setup relies on great tools and eyesight

Congratulations on your buy!

Plus 1 one waiting to recap.  Most people don’t use their TT’s enough to make a big difference in the electronics even if it is 43 years old.  Also he caps in there were never really put under any stress.

All the best.

My 2 arm PBN rebuilt -75 is my my North system pages… teaser

Seems a lot of work, cost and risk for a TT that I recall was good but not necessarily outstanding. If you can use pretty much as is, it is great but personally I would not throw good money after old technology. The cost of the cartridge should not be a consideration since you will need to buy one no matter what TT you get. Good luck this is a nice vintage table.

Hey @thecarpathian I bought a Denon DP59L turntable recapped and restored from captmark09 on YouTube about 6 years ago and it's the best turntable I've ever owned (previously Realistic turntable, then Sony linear tracking, then Ariston QDeck, then Thorens then Project then Music Hall then Fluance, etc over the years).   It ended up costing me a little less then $1000 including a new AT VMN40ML cartridge he installed.  Mark was getting turntables from a Japanese contact and recapping and restoring them in Dallas.  I would say that, in your case since your turntable is functioning fine, I would just use it and enjoy it...then get it restored if you have a problem, maybe buy a new cartridge that you prefer.  It may not be your "forever" turntable, so I might not spend the money right from the start.  Enjoy!

If, like me, you have a hard time leaving well enough alone, be sure to get a good soldering station. I got a Hako a couple of years ago and love it.

Hello. I have a Denon DP-51F purchased new in 1980. Only repair needed was to r&r the interconnect cables.  I’m familiar with the 62L model.  If the speed is still spot on I’d suggest using as is.  I would also suggest doing a visual inspection of the caps prior to a recap. If any are showing signs of degradation a recap may be prudent. A properly running 62L is equivalent to $3-5K TTs in today’s market IMO.  I recall that unit has 39 caps in the speed control circuit which means almost 80 solder points.  If you have the skill/tools or know someone that you trust to do the work then go ahead (if you must). 
Enjoy the music. 

The capacitors are not in the signal path, so unless there's a speed issue, or tonearm problem I wouldn't worry. As to cartridges, mine runs a Shure V 15 type IV. The tone arm is less than stellar, in my opinion, because of the joints which may age poorly, and the electronic counterweight. Mine tends to rotate in and out of service as my whims, and acquisitions change, but for the age and the occasional bargain price, I would pass it by, unless there is an interest in vintage... Having said that, mine has been in service for thirty years, or so. The turntable was not designed with a long life in mind, more a happy accident of good engineering and quality components. At this point in its arc, it probably should, or could be considered "disposable", or as a parts donor if there is a breakdown.