Denon DL103 R EM Low Output MC Cartridge

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My Dynavector DV20x2 had worn out and I just didn't fancy shelling out that sort of money on a new cartridge right now, so needed a decent replacement. I've read many things about the DL103 cartridges over the years, and whilst I was toying with going with a Sumiko Blue Point or a Hana EL, I thought I'd finally give the Denon a shot, especially as it's so cheap. I'm running it on my Well Tempered Simplex II through a Naim Stageline S, and according to most commentary online it that is not a good match because the Simplex has a low mass arm and the Denon prefers a high mass arm, however all I can say is the combination sounds fantastic to me. Admittedly my recent vinyl memories prior to installation where of a knackered DV20x2 but that said I'm still convinced that highs and lows of DL103R are way more detailed than they ever were on the Dynavector. I think the DL103R is a superb cartridge and I'm not sure I'll use anything else from now on.

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Having tried to purchase the Denon DL-A110 Anniversary without success, I decided to use the budgeted sum to buy this updated version of the original DL-103, which cost about the same once a special headshell was added. This cartridge is mounted on a discontinued12" Ortofon TA210 tonearm (made by Jelco) and highly recommended by the late Art Dudley. Due notice was taken of the many forum threads critical of the Denon' cartridge's plastic body, but instead of using a Stanley knife, I choose a fully-reversible precision-made aluminium body cap lined with two spacer/dampers, 3mm ebony and 2.5mm carbon fibre to absorb vibration (all these available from European sellers on Ebay under Denon DL103 mods). The body cap came supplied with long screws enabling the cartridge to be installed in an 18 gms. head-shell Audio Technica LH18/OOC without nuts (but only finger tightened). With the total effective mass of 30 gms. for the headshell and Ortofon tonearm (12gms), fed into the Vinyl Engine Cartridge Resonance calculator, I read off where the column for the combined weight of the 103R cartridge (8.5 gms) and body cap / spacer & dampers fixings, intersected with the Resonance value for the DL103R which is 5 as tabulated on Vinyl Engine's own cartridge database entry for the DL103. The two columns intersected in the resonance table's recommended "Green 8-11 kHz zone."
The tonearm's phono wires and ground wire were plugged into a Phasemation T-320 Step Up Transformer, previously supplied by Analogue Seduction, which is capable of powering MC cartridges ranging in coil inductance from 1 to 40 Ohms and a volume Gain ratio of 1:20. This in turn is connected to an EAR Phonobox with 2, NOS ECC83 and one other complementary tube, set to MM input. Volume of the Phonebox is matched to that on the vintage integrated amp (Marantz PM17 KI Sig). Apologies to any old hands who already know all the above, the intention was to help those such as myself without access to a hifi installer nearby. The net result of this detailed research is a sound the timbre of which is much closer to real musical instruments than my other MC cartridges -with supposedly more advanced stylii shapes viz. microline AT33PTG Mk2 and elliptical SPU GE Classic Mk2. Next purchase will be an original DL103 but at least now I know it will prove workable in my system. Other tips in passing, Phasemation T320 directly into the PM17's switchable MM phono stage was very powerful whereas the Phonobox is airier. Settings for tonearm - VTF 2.7-2.8 gms and antiskate half , experiment with VTA - slightly tail heavy rather than horizontal until cantilever is fully flexed over first 50 hours, try some Baroque trumpet music to set this - i.e. listenable, rather than unbearably high-pitched! Taken me four years to feel competent with my turntable(s), so one can really appreciate what a step forward CDs were to the pre-streaming generation! Good luck on your own audio journey into real sound with the Denon 103R.

Rating:

Value for money is second to none for this cartridge. Tracks perfectly and has an overall warm balance. Bass is good although may be a little soft for some tastes, and perhaps maybe a tad too dark sounding. At the price though, it's remarkably good.