The Denon DP-300F is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable with a feature that makes it more flexible than many entry-level automatic models: its cartridge can be replaced. It combines push-button playback with an adjustable tonearm, anti-skating control and a switchable built-in phono preamp.
That makes it an interesting option if you want automatic operation without being limited to the original cartridge. However, its upgrade flexibility comes with a little more setup work than simpler automatic turntables.
Denon DP-300F Quick Specs
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drive type | Belt drive |
| Motor | DC servo motor |
| Operation | Fully automatic, with manual arm-lifter control |
| Speeds | 33⅓ and 45 RPM |
| Built-in phono preamp | Yes, switchable |
| Cartridge type | Moving magnet (MM) |
| Included cartridge tracking force | 2.0g |
| Compatible cartridge weight | 5.0–10.0g, excluding headshell (regional documentation may differ) |
| Replacement stylus | Denon DSN-85 |
| Wow and flutter | 0.10% WRMS |
| Turntable platter | Die-cast aluminum |
| Dimensions | 434 × 122 × 381mm |
| Weight | 5.5kg |
The DP-300F supports standard replacement cartridges within Denon’s specified weight range. Check the documentation for your regional version before purchasing an upgrade, as published compatibility figures differ between some Denon specification sheets.
Who Is the Denon DP-300F For?
The DP-300F is worth considering if you want:
- Fully automatic playback with automatic tonearm return.
- A replaceable cartridge rather than a permanently fixed cartridge assembly.
- Adjustable tracking force and anti-skating.
- A built-in phono preamp for straightforward connection to line-level inputs.
- The option to use a separate phono preamp or receiver’s PHONO input.
It offers more cartridge flexibility than entry-level models such as the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X, although it also requires more involvement when setting up or changing cartridges.
Who Should Skip It?
The DP-300F may not be the best fit if you want the simplest possible turntable at the lowest cost.
Its cartridge adjustment features are useful, but they are unnecessary if you have no plans to replace the supplied cartridge. A simpler automatic model may be sufficient for basic playback.
You may also prefer a fully manual turntable if cartridge selection, tonearm adjustment and broader upgrade flexibility are more important than automatic operation.
Setup and First Use
The DP-300F requires some initial assembly and tonearm adjustment. Unlike automatic turntables with fixed factory settings, it has an adjustable counterweight and anti-skating control.
1. Install the platter and belt
Fit the platter according to the supplied instructions, then position the drive belt around the motor pulley. Make sure the belt is seated correctly before playing a record.
2. Install and balance the tonearm
The supplied cartridge is mounted on the headshell. Follow Denon’s instructions to balance the tonearm using the counterweight.
The correct tracking force for the included cartridge is 2.0g. After balancing the arm, set the tracking-force adjustment ring and counterweight accordingly.
3. Set anti-skating
Denon’s manual instructs users to set anti-skating to the same numerical value as the cartridge’s tracking force. For the supplied cartridge, that means starting at 2.0.
If you install a different cartridge, rebalance the tonearm and follow that cartridge manufacturer’s recommended tracking force and anti-skating guidance.
4. Choose the correct audio output
The DP-300F includes a switchable phono preamp.
- Built-in preamp ON: Connect the turntable to a line-level input such as AUX, CD or LINE.
- Built-in preamp OFF: Connect it to a dedicated PHONO input on a compatible amplifier or external phono preamp.
Do not connect a line-level output to a PHONO input. That applies phono equalization twice and can cause excessive volume and distortion.
For a more detailed explanation, see our guide to what a phono preamp does.
Cartridge Upgrades: One of the DP-300F’s Main Advantages
The supplied moving-magnet cartridge can be replaced with compatible alternatives. This is an important distinction from turntables such as the AT-LP60X, which use an integrated cartridge arrangement that does not accept standard cartridge-body replacements.
The DP-300F’s cartridge upgrade path is useful if you want to experiment with different stylus profiles or move to another compatible cartridge later.
Before buying, check:
- Cartridge weight against Denon’s compatibility specification for your version.
- Standard cartridge mounting and headshell compatibility.
- Recommended tracking force.
- Cartridge height and clearance.
- Phono preamp compatibility, especially if considering a low-output cartridge.
A replacement cartridge is not necessarily a drop-in upgrade. You may need to align it correctly and reset tracking force and anti-skating.
Our guides to turntable cartridges and moving-magnet vs. moving-coil designs explain the main options.
Automatic Playback and Manual Arm Lifter
The DP-300F starts playback automatically and returns the tonearm when the record reaches the end. This makes everyday listening convenient without requiring you to position the stylus manually.
It also includes a manual arm-lifter mechanism. This lets you raise and lower the tonearm to place the stylus at a particular point on a record.
The arm lifter does not turn the DP-300F into a fully manual turntable with a completely different operating system. Its main automatic start and end-of-record functions remain part of the design.
Sound and Performance
The DP-300F’s sound depends on several parts of the system, including the supplied cartridge, stylus condition, phono stage, amplifier and speakers.
The included MM cartridge provides a ready-to-use starting point, while the ability to replace it gives the turntable a useful upgrade path.
It is better to treat cartridge upgrades as an opportunity to tailor the system rather than assume that replacing the original cartridge will automatically produce a dramatic improvement. Compatibility, alignment and the rest of the audio chain all matter.
The manufacturer’s published wow-and-flutter specification is 0.10% WRMS. As with any turntable specification, this figure should be considered alongside the complete design rather than as a guarantee of audible performance in every setup.
What Does the Denon DP-300F Pair Well With?
The switchable built-in phono preamp makes the DP-300F straightforward to connect to different types of audio equipment.
Powered speakers
Connect the turntable’s RCA output to powered speakers with a built-in phono preamp switched ON. If the speakers have their own PHONO input, you can instead switch the Denon’s preamp OFF and use that input.
See our guide to connecting a turntable to powered speakers.
Stereo receiver or amplifier
If your receiver has a PHONO input, switch the Denon’s built-in preamp OFF. If it only has AUX, CD or another line-level input, switch the built-in preamp ON.
External phono preamp
You can also switch the built-in preamp OFF and connect the DP-300F to an external MM-compatible phono preamp. This gives you another way to configure the system, although an external unit is not automatically better than the Denon’s built-in stage.
Explore our best phono preamps guide if you are considering a separate unit.
Denon DP-300F vs. Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
These turntables serve listeners who value automatic playback, but they approach setup and upgrades differently.
| Feature | Denon DP-300F | Audio-Technica AT-LP60X |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | Belt drive | Belt drive |
| Operation | Fully automatic | Fully automatic |
| Built-in phono preamp | Switchable | Switchable |
| Cartridge replacement | Compatible replacement cartridges supported | No standard cartridge-body upgrade |
| Stylus replacement | Yes | Yes |
| Tracking-force adjustment | Adjustable | No user adjustment |
| Anti-skating adjustment | Adjustable | No user adjustment |
| Setup | More involved | Simpler |
The Denon is the more flexible option if you want to replace the complete cartridge. The AT-LP60X is simpler to set up and operate, and its stylus can still be replaced when worn.
Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on whether cartridge upgrades and tonearm adjustments matter to you.
Final Verdict
The Denon DP-300F offers a useful combination of automatic playback and cartridge flexibility. Its adjustable tonearm, anti-skating control and switchable phono preamp make it more configurable than a basic automatic turntable.
Its main appeal is not that it automatically sounds better than less expensive models, but that it gives you more room to change the cartridge and tailor your setup.
If you want convenient automatic operation and expect to explore cartridge upgrades, the DP-300F is a model worth considering. If you simply want to play records with minimal setup, a simpler automatic turntable may be a better match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the cartridge on the Denon DP-300F?
Yes. Denon specifies compatible replacement cartridges within a particular weight range. Check the specifications for your regional version and make sure the replacement is suitable for the tonearm and headshell.
Is the Denon DP-300F better than the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X?
Not for every listener. The DP-300F offers adjustable tracking force, anti-skating and compatible cartridge-body replacement. The AT-LP60X is simpler and does not require the same tonearm setup.
Does the Denon DP-300F need an external phono preamp?
No. It has a built-in switchable phono preamp. You only need an external phono preamp if you choose to use one instead of the built-in unit.
What tracking force does the Denon DP-300F use?
The supplied cartridge has a recommended tracking force of 2.0g. If you install a replacement cartridge, use the tracking-force recommendation supplied by its manufacturer.
Does the Denon DP-300F support 78 RPM records?
No. Its supported speeds are 33⅓ and 45 RPM.
Does the DP-300F lift the tonearm automatically at the end of a record?
Yes. Its automatic mechanism returns the tonearm to its resting position when playback finishes.