Denon 103SA

[karma67]

there's a big thread on the modding here, http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...entek-Head-Amp

[Bigman80]

How are you getting on with the Denon, Jamie?

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[karma67]

im enjoy it a lot mate,i dont miss the decca at all,it just wasn't for my arms. this 103 is so engaging its just very nice to be listening to my records and not analyzing every cymbal strike etc.
its is also so very easy to set up,the poor old alphason is coping it well,all be it with 6g extra on the headhell lol.
the zeta is with j7 getting re wired so will suit the 103 better.

[karma67]

interestingly the little lentek head amps not bad,the mc stage in the nakamichi pre at 100ohms loading makes the denon sound a bit toppy,steel guitar strings and violins tend to sound a bit painfull if you know what i mean,whilst the lentek looses out in clarity its better to listen to blue grass type music with it.

[Bigman80]

There is always a compromise somewhere mate. Glad you're enjoying it!

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[Marco]

well its a 'dip my toe' before i try something more expensive,at £60 it was worth a punt and it seems to have done the trick,it has brought the volume up from the nakamichis mc stage,hard to say its better right now,its certainly not worse so thats positive.
now the question is how much better is it once recapped and modded?

It's all coming together nicely, Jamie

One tip with the Lentek... For whatever reason, it sounds best used with a (brand new) Duracell battery. Anything else I've tried is inferior, so make sure that's what you're using and that it's not going flat. Unfortunately, Lenteks eat batteries, especially when driven hard.

It's also all to easy to leave the unit switched on, after listening to music, which again drains the battery, as does overuse of the battery testing switch! And sound quality will always be compromised when the unit is used with anything else but a healthy battery.

Enjoy

Marco.

[Infinitely Baffled]

well its a 'dip my toe' before i try something more expensive ...

If you are really keen on taking MC use further and want to improve the head-amp part of the equation, I would talk to Jez Arkless if I were you. He built me a wonderful mains-powered unit that I couldn't be happier with - silent as the grave and terrifically engaging to listen to. I think he does a few types, including battery powered, rechargeable if you want, and mains. All different price levels. Worth a thought.
IB

[karma67]

If you are really keen on taking MC use further and want to improve the head-amp part of the equation, I would talk to Jez Arkless if I were you. He built me a wonderful mains-powered unit that I couldn't be happier with - silent as the grave and terrifically engaging to listen to. I think he does a few types, including battery powered, rechargeable if you want, and mains. All different price levels. Worth a thought.

IB

Thanks but no thanks

[Jimbo]

What are you thoughts on the Denon 103SA Jamie? Is it a long term keeper? I expect you have to get your head amp sorted before you know for sure!

[karma67]

hi jimbo,
im enjoying it very much,also the little lentek head amp is great (only down side is the bloody battery) .
i seem to be very contented at the moment as each piece of the 'getting the denon to sing' puzzle falls into place.

as ive said previously my zeta is being checked over and re wired at J7's, whilst this is being done ive bought some 3 and 4 mm flat brass to make some head shell weights if needed, the zeta counter weight is on its way to speedy steve to have some bronze plates made to balance out the extra head shell weight.
im trying to cover all bases so i can get cracking when the tone arm comes back,soon i hope!