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  1. #1
    Join Date: Feb 2016

    Location: Melksham, Wiltshire

    Posts: 726
    I'm Peter.

    Default Denon DL 103 Pro

    Well, for those who have not heard the cartridge (as it’s a Japan only cartridge) I would advise you to try.

    This cartridge has been sitting on the shelf for some months and then last week, I thought .... I’ll give it a try.

    Firstly, for the price point of £400 is beats just about anything I’ve ever owned at many times the cost.

    I can’t really explain what it’s doing but it’s so sweet... a real foot tapping piece of kit.

    Only 40 hours or so into the listening mode and it keeps getting better and better!!! It’s more musical then I can ever explain and plays just about anything from female jazz vocal to heavy rock and any other type of music you can think of.

    Knocked out to say the least !!!

    For those of you that may be lost in the wilderness of what to try next.....go for this superb cartridge.

    It’s not the end goal in ultimate refinement.... but does it play music...... to enjoy.....”YES IT DOES”.

    Peter


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Join Date: Sep 2014

    Location: brighton uk.

    Posts: 4,737
    I'm jamie.

    Default

    i wonder how it compares to the denon 103sa,i agree with you findings,theres something about denons that just hits the spot.
    My System
    John Wood KT88 Amp.
    Paradise Phono Stage
    Sony TTS-8000 Turntable.
    PMAT-1010 MK6 Tonearm.
    Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
    Sony X555ES Cd Player
    Yamaha NS1000m Speakers

  3. #3
    Join Date: Feb 2016

    Location: Melksham, Wiltshire

    Posts: 726
    I'm Peter.

    Default

    Hi Jamie, I’ve never heard any other Denon Cartridges so I can’t really comment.... but this one has knocked me out... just Stunning (that’s if you like music) and not Hi-Fi!!!!


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    Not at all surprised (as I've had one in the past and know all about its heritage), so enjoy listening to music, Peter, through a cartridge that's been voiced to make vinyl sound like vinyl, not like (bad) CD!

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Vancouver, Canada

    Posts: 2,166
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Boyse6748 View Post
    Well, for those who have not heard the cartridge (as it’s a Japan only cartridge) I would advise you to try.

    This cartridge has been sitting on the shelf for some months and then last week, I thought .... I’ll give it a try.

    Firstly, for the price point of £400 is beats just about anything I’ve ever owned at many times the cost.

    I can’t really explain what it’s doing but it’s so sweet... a real foot tapping piece of kit.

    Only 40 hours or so into the listening mode and it keeps getting better and better!!! It’s more musical then I can ever explain and plays just about anything from female jazz vocal to heavy rock and any other type of music you can think of.

    Knocked out to say the least !!!

    For those of you that may be lost in the wilderness of what to try next.....go for this superb cartridge.

    It’s not the end goal in ultimate refinement.... but does it play music...... to enjoy.....”YES IT DOES”.

    Peter


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    How is Denon DL 103 Pro different from vanilla Denon DL 103? What's the price difference, and does anyone know what's the best way to purchase it in Canada?
    Don't you just hate it when you cannot detect where the post ends and a signature line begins?

    Alex.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    Hi Alex,

    Quote Originally Posted by magiccarpetride View Post
    How is Denon DL 103 Pro different from vanilla Denon DL 103?
    The DL-103 Pro is essentially a stock DL-103 that has been specially modified by a small group of Ex-Denon employees, making cartridges, SUTs, etc, under the company name of Highphonic. And the 'Pro' is used in Japan at some radio stations for broadcasting purposes.

    These guys really know what they're doing, having had lots of experience with Denon cartridges, so know how to get the best out of them. I believe that judicious changes are applied to the suspension system and compliance, but contrary to what is often said, Highphonic do not fit the cartridge with an elliptical stylus. The 103 Pro has the same conical (spherical) stylus as the stock DL-103.

    However, the modifications undertaken cause some critical changes to the electrical characteristics of the cartridge, which you'll see below. if you compare the spec of the 'Pro' version against that of the stock model. I've emboldened the key differences, which result in the improved sound heard.

    103 Pro:

    Output voltage: 0.25mV
    ・Compliance 6 x 10-6 cm/dyne
    ・Stylus: 16.5 micron round tip
    Frequency response: 20Hz - 55kHz
    Impedance: 38 ohm
    ・Tracking force: 1.8 - 2.4g
    ・Weight: 8.5g

    Stock DL-103:

    Output: 0.3 mV

    Output Impedance: 40 ohms

    Stylus: 16.5 Micron round tip

    Frequency range: 20 Hz to 45 kHz

    Tracking force: 2.3~2.7g

    Compliance 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne

    Weight: 8.5g.

    The slightly lower output (less coil turns) and notably the extended high-frequency response, coupled with lower impedance, will combine to increase clarity and 'airiness' at the top end, whilst improving midrange lucidity.

    I've used both cartridges extensively, and the 'Pro' version is notably superior, so I'm not surprised Peter is raving about it!

    It won't be quite as good as a 103SA, simply because the 'Pro' is still housed in the stock plastic body shell, but it's not far off and has a charm and desirable sonic attributes of its own. No other DL-103 sounds quite like it.

    Essentially, it performs like a cartridge costing around three times more than it does, and like most other 'race-tuned' 103s, is a serious bargain. Hope this helps

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  7. #7
    montesquieu Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
    Hi Alex,



    The DL-103 Pro is essentially a stock DL-103 that has been specially modified by a small group of Ex-Denon employees, making cartridges, SUTs, etc, under the company name of Highphonic. And the 'Pro' is used in Japan at some radio stations for broadcasting purposes.

    These guys really know what they're doing, having had lots of experience with Denon cartridges, so know how to get the best out of them. I believe that judicious changes are applied to the suspension system and compliance, but contrary to what is often said, Highphonic do not fit the cartridge with an elliptical stylus. The 103 Pro has the same conical (spherical) stylus as the stock DL-103.

    However, the modifications undertaken cause some critical changes to the electrical characteristics of the cartridge, which you'll see below. if you compare the spec of the 'Pro' version against that of the stock model. I've emboldened the key differences, which result in the improved sound heard.

    103 Pro:

    Output voltage: 0.25mV
    ・Compliance 6 x 10-6 cm/dyne
    ・Stylus: 16.5 micron round tip
    Frequency response: 20Hz - 55kHz
    Impedance: 38 ohm
    ・Tracking force: 1.8 - 2.4g
    ・Weight: 8.5g

    Stock DL-103:

    Output: 0.3 mV

    Output Impedance: 40 ohms

    Stylus: 16.5 Micron round tip

    Frequency range: 20 Hz to 45 kHz

    Tracking force: 2.3~2.7g

    Compliance 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne

    Weight: 8.5g.

    The slightly lower output (less coil turns) and notably the extended high-frequency response, coupled with lower impedance, will combine to increase clarity and 'airiness' at the top end, whilst improving midrange lucidity.

    I've used both cartridges extensively, and the 'Pro' version is notably superior, so I'm not surprised Peter is raving about it!

    It won't be quite as good as a 103SA, simply because the 'Pro' is still housed in the stock plastic body shell, but it's not far off and has a charm and desirable sonic attributes of its own. No other DL-103 sounds quite like it.

    Essentially, it performs like a cartridge costing around three times more than it does, and like most other 'race-tuned' 103s, is a serious bargain. Hope this helps

    Marco.
    Also worth noting that these compliance figures are at 100hz, not the more usual 10hz, so are more like 12-14hz in the normal measurement. Still low compliance but not ultra-low compliance requiring very heavy tonearms of 30g+.

  8. #8
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Vancouver, Canada

    Posts: 2,166
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
    Hi Alex,



    The DL-103 Pro is essentially a stock DL-103 that has been specially modified by a small group of Ex-Denon employees, making cartridges, SUTs, etc, under the company name of Highphonic. And the 'Pro' is used in Japan at some radio stations for broadcasting purposes.

    These guys really know what they're doing, having had lots of experience with Denon cartridges, so know how to get the best out of them. I believe that judicious changes are applied to the suspension system and compliance, but contrary to what is often said, Highphonic do not fit the cartridge with an elliptical stylus. The 103 Pro has the same conical (spherical) stylus as the stock DL-103.

    However, the modifications undertaken cause some critical changes to the electrical characteristics of the cartridge, which you'll see below. if you compare the spec of the 'Pro' version against that of the stock model. I've emboldened the key differences, which result in the improved sound heard.

    103 Pro:

    Output voltage: 0.25mV
    ・Compliance 6 x 10-6 cm/dyne
    ・Stylus: 16.5 micron round tip
    Frequency response: 20Hz - 55kHz
    Impedance: 38 ohm
    ・Tracking force: 1.8 - 2.4g
    ・Weight: 8.5g

    Stock DL-103:

    Output: 0.3 mV

    Output Impedance: 40 ohms

    Stylus: 16.5 Micron round tip

    Frequency range: 20 Hz to 45 kHz

    Tracking force: 2.3~2.7g

    Compliance 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne

    Weight: 8.5g.

    The slightly lower output (less coil turns) and notably the extended high-frequency response, coupled with lower impedance, will combine to increase clarity and 'airiness' at the top end, whilst improving midrange lucidity.

    I've used both cartridges extensively, and the 'Pro' version is notably superior, so I'm not surprised Peter is raving about it!

    It won't be quite as good as a 103SA, simply because the 'Pro' is still housed in the stock plastic body shell, but it's not far off and has a charm and desirable sonic attributes of its own. No other DL-103 sounds quite like it.

    Essentially, it performs like a cartridge costing around three times more than it does, and like most other 'race-tuned' 103s, is a serious bargain. Hope this helps

    Marco.
    Thanks Marco, this is really helpful. Do you happen to know the price difference? I tried to google it to no avail.
    Don't you just hate it when you cannot detect where the post ends and a signature line begins?

    Alex.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    There's a significant difference in cost, as one would expect. Stock DL-103:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DENON-DL-...8AAOSwSlBYvoCw

    DL-103Pro:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIGHPHONIC-...75.c100623.m-1

    The latter can vary considerably, though. I've seen them sell for less, but also considerably more, depending on the vendor. For a genuine one, always look for the distinctive red ink marks [and sticker on the outside of the box], which denote that the cartridge has been modified by Highphonic.

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  10. #10
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Vancouver, Canada

    Posts: 2,166
    I'm Alex.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
    There's a significant difference in cost, as one would expect. Stock DL-103:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DENON-DL-...8AAOSwSlBYvoCw

    DL-103Pro:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIGHPHONIC-...75.c100623.m-1

    The latter can vary considerably, though. I've seen them sell for less, but also considerably more, depending on the vendor. For a genuine one, always look for the distinctive red ink marks [and sticker on the outside of the box], which denote that the cartridge has been modified by Highphonic.

    Marco.
    Thanks Marco. Would this item be a genuine Denon Pro?

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/25345549225...m=253455492259
    Don't you just hate it when you cannot detect where the post ends and a signature line begins?

    Alex.

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