montesquieu
06-09-2014, 23:17
103R Mono: this is a standard 103R that Soundsmith modify the coils on (turning through 90 degrees) to give true mono output, ie unlike a standard stereo cartridge which picks up signal in both vertical and lateral planes, this only picks up lateral signal as a true mono cartridge should. Retails at $829 - something over £500 - add international shipping and 20% VAT to that and price into the UK is well over £600. Details here: http://www.sound-smith.com/denon/ I've fitted it with the 8g brass Isokinetik stabiliser, which for my money does a better job of making 103's sound more refined than a wood or metal rebody (and it's a lot safer as well not having to 'nude' the cartridge for a rebody, while the threaded screws on top make fitting it to a tonearm or cartridge a doddle compared to the original with its open sides). The Soundsmith 103R mono easily rivals or even betters any other mono cartridge I've used in recent times including the Ortofon Mono and Lyra Dorian Mono. Tip examined under magnification and still in great shape. Offered at £250, plus £11 RMSD in UK.
103R Stereo - I also bought a Denon 103R stereo to match it, this came new from Hong Kong about two months ago and I also fitted the 8g Isokinetk Stabliser, though I barely used it (a few dozen sides at most) as shortly afterwards I found my holy grail cartridge (EMT XSD-15) so my post AN-Io experimentation was suddenly over. The 103R's UK list price is £319, from HK it cost me £225 landed including postage and taxes. Offered at £160 plus £11 RMSD in UK.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/103Rx2_zps9cfe4d38.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/103Rx2_zps9cfe4d38.jpg.html)
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/103box_zpsce15598d.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/103box_zpsce15598d.jpg.html)
Also selling two rare gems, different models of Fidelity Research FR-1. FR-1 Mk1 is a stunning cartridge in time-warp condition, in theory it has a very low output (of 0.14mV) though in practice it's only a shade lower than the 0.2mv of some vintage Ortofon SPUs and it works beautifully into my vintage Jurgen Schou Ortofon STA6600L step-up, and also on the high impedance setting of the Audio Note AN-S2L SUT I'm selling separately - my view is that essentially any SUT suitable for an SPU should make this sing. It's lush and sweet and detailed, quite lovely. I'd put it in the Koetsu bracket for quality (it's certainly way above the Supexes etc of the era). I think my asking price is a total steal: offered at £200, plus £11 RMSD in UK.
I also have an FR 1 Mk3 (that's the black one), this was very innovative in its day and is essentially the same cartridge with silver coils. I found it very similar to the Mk1 but a shade less lush/even more detailed, rather more 'modern' in sound than the Mk1. As a born-again SPU nut I **just** preferred the Mk1, but I do certainly understand why the Mk3 has a cult following. A poor man's Io? The similarities don't stop at the silver coils. Offered at £320, plus £11 RMSD in UK.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/fr1-1_zps85347f3b.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/fr1-1_zps85347f3b.jpg.html)
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/fr1-3_zpse1f447a9.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/fr1-3_zpse1f447a9.jpg.html)
103R Stereo - I also bought a Denon 103R stereo to match it, this came new from Hong Kong about two months ago and I also fitted the 8g Isokinetk Stabliser, though I barely used it (a few dozen sides at most) as shortly afterwards I found my holy grail cartridge (EMT XSD-15) so my post AN-Io experimentation was suddenly over. The 103R's UK list price is £319, from HK it cost me £225 landed including postage and taxes. Offered at £160 plus £11 RMSD in UK.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/103Rx2_zps9cfe4d38.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/103Rx2_zps9cfe4d38.jpg.html)
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/103box_zpsce15598d.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/103box_zpsce15598d.jpg.html)
Also selling two rare gems, different models of Fidelity Research FR-1. FR-1 Mk1 is a stunning cartridge in time-warp condition, in theory it has a very low output (of 0.14mV) though in practice it's only a shade lower than the 0.2mv of some vintage Ortofon SPUs and it works beautifully into my vintage Jurgen Schou Ortofon STA6600L step-up, and also on the high impedance setting of the Audio Note AN-S2L SUT I'm selling separately - my view is that essentially any SUT suitable for an SPU should make this sing. It's lush and sweet and detailed, quite lovely. I'd put it in the Koetsu bracket for quality (it's certainly way above the Supexes etc of the era). I think my asking price is a total steal: offered at £200, plus £11 RMSD in UK.
I also have an FR 1 Mk3 (that's the black one), this was very innovative in its day and is essentially the same cartridge with silver coils. I found it very similar to the Mk1 but a shade less lush/even more detailed, rather more 'modern' in sound than the Mk1. As a born-again SPU nut I **just** preferred the Mk1, but I do certainly understand why the Mk3 has a cult following. A poor man's Io? The similarities don't stop at the silver coils. Offered at £320, plus £11 RMSD in UK.
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/fr1-1_zps85347f3b.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/fr1-1_zps85347f3b.jpg.html)
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/fr1-3_zpse1f447a9.jpg (http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/montesquieu61/media/fr1-3_zpse1f447a9.jpg.html)