Denon DA-401

Denon DA 401 tonearm

The DA-401 has its effective mass reduced to improve applicability to every kind of cartridge, and to prevent intermodulation distortion.

Partial resonance or external vibration is reduced by the dynamic damping mechanism to attain the original performance of the cartridge.

DA-401 Light Weight Tonearm (Universal Type)Effective mass of the tonearm reduced to improve applicability to every kind of cartridge and to prevent intermodulationdistortion. Partial resonance or external vibration reduced by the dynamic damping mechanism to attain the original performance of the cartridge.Low frequency limit rof the cutting on the disc is approximately 20 Hz, therefore, the signal at lower frequencies than that is not supposed to come out. However, subsonic noise under 4-5 Hz tends to be reproduced larger due to the warpage of the record disc.For the audio instruments which originally deal with the audible range signal, signal close to DC is not a close friend. Such evil effect as modulation distortion is caused on the signal in the audible range due to the undesirable low frequency range signal being sent to the amplifier or the speaker. The structure where the tonearm truthfully moves against the movement of less than 10 or so Hz to forbid the cartridge to provide output, that is of course attained by minimizing the effective mass of the tonearm. Yes, tonearm like the ai is what we want, if possible at all.

Effective mass of the tonearm including the weight of the cartridge, the compliance of the vibration system of the cartridge and the cut-off frequency (fL) in the low frequency range are inter-related. If this (fL) is too low, tonearm can not perfectly follow the movement due to the warpage of the record disc, etc., and result inn the vobration of the stylus instead. The desirable setting value of (fL) is approximately 10Hz. Cartridges available on the market tend to show too low (fL) when combined with ordinary tonearm. And it will particulary be difficult to attain the original performance of the high compliance cartridge sufficiently. In addition to the highly precise mechanism, the DA-401 is equipped with the lightest possible pipe arm and head shell to reduce the effective masss to prevent (fL) from becoming too low. The arm pipe is a solidified hard light alloy pipe, and hard resin for the head shell.Still more effective dynamics damping mechanism employed for this light weight arm. As it progresses towards the lighter weight, one side view would reveal the fact that the mechanical strength in various parts is decreased and result in causing the partial resonance and deteriorates the sound quality in the mid range. The dynamic damping mechanism employed for the DA-401 is a structure having damper rubber of adequate viscocity be tween the tonearm body and the pipe. This dynamic damping action is the key to the problem of the vibration that could not be solved inn the past. Now the problem effectively solved, the vibration transmitted from the arm base is effectively reduced and the result is the radical reductio in the partial resonance in the part composing the tonearm.

Specifications DA-401

Type: Static balance type, integrated tonearm

Overall length: 322mm

Effective length: 244mm

Overhang: 14mm

Tracking error: Less than 2.5 degrees

Hight adjustment range: 41-70mm (from arm board surface to arm pipe center)

Stylus force adjustment system: Dial scale system, 2g per rotation (0.lg subdivision)

Acceptable weight of cartridge: 4-6g (small weight), 6-10 g (large weight)

Head shell: Specially rigitized resin, weighing approx. 4g (excluding screws and nuts)

Output cord: Low capacitance cord, with 5P connector

Anti-skating system: Magnetically controlled (disengagement possible)

Arm lifter: Oil damped

Bearings: High precision pivot bearings and miniature bearings

Head connector: Plug-in type with fixing screw, 4P connector (all contact portion gold plated)

Denon DP-2000 and Da-401