We’re actually looking forward to this one. Just like the Numark TTX before it, this appeals to me because it tries to be something else. In a sea of superOEMs from the major players (please, just stop and do something original and additive for the market ), the Denon DJ VL12 stands apart on its own, and is more attractive for it. SUMMING UPĭoes the DJ world need another turntable? No. Or you can just turn it off and have a regular non-flashing turntable. For a future feature idea, lighting features like the Numark Lightwave speakers would be cool - BPM pulsing, meters, or just randomised colours would be interesting. Jared commented that he wanted to hate this turntable for all its cheesiness, but it’s hard not to really like it when you see it in the flesh. As a feature, it’s next to useless as it won’t bring anything to the skills table. The ring under the platter and the platter light can be controlled to match whatever colour you like, and the intensity defined too. The big draw, and tapping right into the modding scene is the inclusion of LED lighting. Also despite the current markings it’ll be phono out. I’m told however that they’ll come with right angled cables so that button up to a mixer will be just fine. The VL12 is reminiscent of older Vestax turntables like the A2s in that this appears to be more of a turntablist battle position layout so that the cables come out of the back instead of the side. The location of the cables is an interesting one too. Speaking of inner workings, this motor will have 4.9kg torque too. This apparently will improve feedback as they support the motor and inner working better. The feet for example are set into the chassis a little more than other turntables. At this point however it’s not heavy, but will be. Aesthetically, this is like the new MCX-8000 - some plastic but mainly brushed steel, and it is planned to have as much metal as possible. InMusic wants me to stress that this is strictly prototype, and while being close there will most probably be some changes. And as a completely new product, Denon DJ has taken a fresh look at features and tried to make important differentiating changes to set this further apart from the superOEM crowd. It’s not a Hanpin superOEM, but is an all new from the ground up design. The new VL12 is a completely fresh design. And they took the perspex force field off just for us to fondle it too. And with Denon DJ raising its head again, a new turntable is just the ticket. It seems that the industry has developed vinyl fever and they can’t help but put out a new turntable to ride the resurgence wave.

After a period of playing hunt the turntable at trade shows, we’re back to a time where we’re more or less tripping over the damned things.

Denon turntable