September, 2002 the first serious cartridge i ever bought was a denon dl301, back in 1988. I will take an audioquest at95e on my lp12 any day over this denon dl103. Quite rare since this is the rarer shibata tip version of the more common dl 103 which had a conical stylus. Dl 103 gold a goldlaquered standard dl 103 issued to celebrate the 20 th anniversary of the dl 103 2 yen. For a limited time, enjoy an extended 60day return period for purchases. Dl103r 1994 stylus shape, compliance, tracking force, frequency response and mass as per dl103 but change to high purity copper wire of purity 99.
Denon dl103s moving coil cartridge rare with shibata stylus. Digitalis universal cartridge mounting stainless steel screw bolt set for. The 202 headshell is quite a decent item by the way. The dl103 was a nearly instant success with broadcasters, and its popularity spilled over into the world of domestic audio. Every dl103 seems to sound different, i had 3 dl103 til now they sounded very different, a friend of mine had 2 of these also with the same problem. The very first example exhibited the squared off body, the widely space pins and the open channels for the mounting. The very first example exhibited the squared off body, the widely space pins and the open channels for the mounting screws that remain to this day. I thought about trying their zu dl103 mkii they are offering now, and wondering if it would trump my stock dl103, or better yet trump the dl103r stock. So im now not in the position budget wise to consider any other cart. The denon dl103r is an updated version of the classic dl103.
Nov 26, 2008 i figure i wont truly be able to say im going through my analog journey without trying a denon 103, which ive always wanted to hear. Denon supports the sound start foundation, an organization dedicated to providing musical instruments to children and schools in need. Paradox pulse t6 cartridge body, denon dl 103, dl 103r. The 103 has open bolt channels from top to bottom and the mounting screw. Denon s dl 110 and dl 160 are moderately lowcompliance designs that share the same cartridge body. Dec 23, 2017 i thought about trying their zu dl 103 mkii they are offering now, and wondering if it would trump my stock dl 103, or better yet trump the dl 103r stock. Denon dl103 owners manual, service manuals and schematics are for reference only and the vinyl engine bears no responsibility for errors or other inaccuracies. Denon dl103 or 103r someone please tell me that the dl103r is worth the extra money because to me it resembles a waste of finances and the difference is fairly substantial. Mounting it in my arm wasnt half as dreadful as i expected it to be. For those about to ask, yes, my tonearm can handle the increased 14g mass of the zu dl 103 over the 8. I dont have experience with the dl110 but you may want to try the shim and counterweight mod to better its. My second thought was yah but there are a lot of cartridges made this way, if its important for the dl103 then what about the others.
Read these operating instructions carefully before using your dl 103 and keep it for future. This website is not affiliated with or sponsored by. The zu 103 s are very nice sounding as well, and come in way less then the soundsmith modded versions by a mile. The dl110s suspension glides like a sedan deville over heavily modulated passages and slight warps. For sale a denon da 305 tonearm which designed for the denon 103 cartridge. I never had a problem mounting a denon dl103 in a rega headshell and align it for baerwald or loefgren b geometry. In my opinion, many music lovers are missing out on the superb sound and the amazing affordability of these low output carts by listening to the audio status quo. Unlike some others in the denon line, the dl103r is a lowcompliance cartridge, which makes it easier to implement in most of todays tonearms. I will take an audioquest at95e on my lp12 any day over this denon dl 103. Oct 23, 2010 personally me myself i tend to enjoy a slightly more laid back presentation, so the denon 103sa was the one i settled on after hearing one in a friends system. The 103r however, is in a different league and probably the best low output mc at the price. Denon dl 103 is the most musical cartridge ive ever heard. Developed by denon in collaboration with the japan broadcasting corporation technical research laboratories as a highperformance, highreliability phono cartridge for broadcasting purposes, the denon dl103 has been in continuous production.
Ive seen people say that its notoriously hard to mount, but they dont go into any detail. Upgrade to a better binge upgrade your home theater with the denon dhts216 sound bar with dts. For the price of the 103 and the multiple happy reports of rega arm users, i thought it was worth a shot and i have been far from disappointed. Id probably try the zu variant of denons, actually, especially after reading ad on the zu. Developed by denon in collaboration with the japan broadcasting corporation technical research laboratories as a highperformance, highreliability phono cartridge for broadcasting purposes, the denon dl 103 has been in continuous production. Denon dl 103 and dl 103 gold cartridge plus the mcp 2 moving coil phono preamplifier setting a new benchmark for value.
Denon dl103 moving coil phono cartridge listening test tnt internet. Denon dl103 is a mc moving coil phono cartridge made by denon company the dl103 was designed for professional broadcast use in 1962 using the arms and turntables of the day. To be fair i have only listened to this cartridge on my lp12 and the bass will probably sound less tubby on a solid plinth. Dl 103 dl 103 stereo cartridge operating instructions thank you for your purchase of the denon dl 103 stereo cartridge. Im sure that no one at the denon of 1962 could have foreseen such a thing. Roksan xerxes the record player tabriz tonearm denon dl103. Some say that the dl 103 must be used with 34gramms i want to play my records more than once. To install, simply insert the dl103 into the precision machined aluminium body cap. Yes, there are many cartridges on the market that will give you better resolution, deeperwider soundstage, higher highs, deeper lows, etc. It has a nimble way of tracing that makes some other cartridges sound like lumbering steamrollers. The denon dl103 phono cartridge is the only moving coil cartridge that has withstood the test of time.
Another dl 103 impedance loading question long vinyl engine. Sometimes, you even meet a girl who uses a denon dl103, but she is invariably extremely hot. I am using the dl103 on a sme m29 arm which only has an effective mass of 10 grams and the dl103 sounds wonderful warm and lush. For a limited time, enjoy an extended 60day return period for denon. Denon dl 103 meet a legend italian version product. I want to emphasize the need to use a high quality phono preamp with the denon dl 103. Denon dl103 moving coil phono cartridge manufacturer. Denon dl103 manual movingcoil cartridge vinyl engine. A portion of sales made on this website are donated to the foundation. Lots of arguments claiming dl103s cant hit the null points using baerwald method or that the overhang is out by up to a millimeter.
Dl 1u3 est dispte liarls magrzid paralleles et les en aatou i arili it vibra t entier. The dl103 was designed for professional broadcast use in 1962 using the arms and turntables of the day. Ohm loading for denon 103r vinyl and turntables stereonet. Sep 30, 2006 denon s dl103 is one of the real survivors of hifi it first appearedon record players about the same time as the beatles. Denon is using the 100hz spec and most of the tonearm chart are using the 10hz spec. Entry level turntable for denon dl103 page 3 steve.
I once encountered an old 4 record set of tchaikovskys yevgeniy onegin on an early soviet label which did not sound at all with a denon dl 103 in a rather heavy arm, but revealed all its intensity and beauty with that same garrard portable. The bottom line is the 103r has even lower moving mass its all about reducing mass for the transducers than the 103 and a correspondingly lower output voltage of around. Ive enjoyed the denon over the virtuoso wood and benz mc silver ive had previously. I mounted the denon dl 103 low output mc cartridge. The dl110 treads exceptionally lightly on my prized lps.
Denons dl103 is one of the real survivors of hifi it first appearedon record players about the same time as the beatles. The denon dl103r extends the capabilities of its progenitor by using 99. I received the cartridge on time and after mounting and running in for a few hours can report that the dl103 remains one of the great values in hifi. September, 2002 the first serious cartridge i ever bought was a denon dl 301, back in 1988. Discussion in audio hardware started by alexbunardzic, feb. I currently own six dl 103 series carts 2 stock dl103, 1 stock dl103r, 1x dl103r ss retipped, 2x dl103 with wood body. Some say that the dl103 must be used with 34gramms i want to play my records more than once. Denon dl 103 moving coil phono cartridge manufacturer. I bought this cartridge in japan and has sat in my closet of rare cartridges in my central air conditioned room for many years. For those about to ask, yes, my tonearm can handle the increased 14g mass of the zu dl103 over the 8. Every dl 103 seems to sound different, i had 3 dl 103 til now they sounded very different, a friend of mine had 2 of these also with the same problem. When bolted, the cap provides a firm fit to the plastic body along the sides, front and top of the stock denon dl103. As well the mounting arrangement from cart to cap to headshell is. As for the dl103 proper, its birthdate is 1964, development starting wholly in cooperation with nhks technical research laboratories, its goal being faithful reproduction.
Denon dl103 and dl103 gold cartridge plus the mcp 2 moving coil phono preamplifier setting a new benchmark for value. Her name is charlie or ingrid or scarlett, or some crazy shit like that. Jan 04, 2009 dl 103r 1994 stylus shape, compliance, tracking force, frequency response and mass as per dl 103 but change to high purity copper wire of purity 99. Yet it also performs incredibly well in fairly expensive turntables.
I currently own six dl 103 series carts 2 stock dl 103, 1 stock dl 103r, 1x dl 103r ss retipped, 2x dl103 with wood body. The denon dl103r is one of the few components ive experienced that truly serves two masters. Unfollow denon dl103 to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The denon dl 103 phono cartridge is the only moving coil cartridge that has withstood the test of time. Setup was a little more involved, as this is a moving coil design, but definitely worth the trouble and expense i had to purchase a preamp that works with mc carts musical fidelity. Reproduction without prior permission or for financial gain is strictly prohibited. May 11, 2008 the dl103s appearance gives you a clue as to its origins, which lie in denons design department of 1963. Denon 103 submitted by watchdog005 on march 11, 2018 10. The zu 103s are very nice sounding as well, and come in way less then the soundsmith modded versions by a mile. The cartridge mounting bolts lock both the plastic body and the aluminum body cap to the headshell. Phono cartridge mounting, tonearm alignment tool, turntable. In fact i would prefer many, many audiotechnica or ortofon cartridges over this one in the same price range.
It provides improved sound by using 6n copper coils wound with precision to the cantilever. The vinyl groove hasnt changed a lot since then, however, so its still a. I believe this is regarding using the baerwald alignment method. Maybe a little bit more mounting surface though, but the same principle. As i mentioned in one my previous replies, the cat is out of the bag and i have already purchased denon dl 103. There are available different versions upgraded by other companies or individuals involved in diy audio technical specification. Denon dl103 is the most musical cartridge ive ever heard. Personally me myself i tend to enjoy a slightly more laid back presentation, so the denon 103sa was the one i settled on after hearing one in a friends system.
All i can say is that the arm needs at least 1416 gms minimum effective mass in order to hear what the 103 series are really made of excluding the headshell weight. I figure i wont truly be able to say im going through my analog journey without trying a denon 103, which ive always wanted to hear. Denons 103 cartridge originally introduced in the 1960s for radio station vinyl playback is still in production and now has achieved nearmythical status. Another dl103 impedance loading question vinyl engine. The denon carts have a magical midrange and that is what makes them very special. Establishing a definitive list would be as monumental a task as accounting for all of the ls35a variants made exclusively for the far east. The denon dl103r phono cartridge is an updated version of the classic and venerable denon dl103.
Next up is the venerable dl103 and the more recent iteration the dl103r. I dont have experience with the dl 110 but you may want to try the shim and counterweight mod to better its. Primary source is a pc running windows 10 with jriver av server software. Music lovers will delight in the cohesive detail, air and crystal clarity offered by this. Dl 103 u a dl 103 mounted in a denon headshell 2 yen. It makes or breaks the magic this cartridge has to offer. Roksan xerxes the record player tabriz tonearm denon dl. Ive had a dl 103 in my system for more than a year now, but it wasnt until i paired it with a musical surroundings phonomena that the magic happened.
Denon dl103em mc cartridge style laser audio sdn bhd. The counterweight is more than adequate and the cartridge is a great match. What sets these apart, and what are their relative virtues and deficiencies in your personal opinions. Unfollow denon dl 103 to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. But, from time to time, denon unveils a variant on the 43yearold. Denon dl103 phono cartridge listening test english tntaudio.
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