worrasf
12-01-2015, 18:31
I had been wanting to try a Zu Audio modified Dl-103R for ages but supply is very limited and when they are available the prices are a tad keen - especially for the grade 2 prime version with channel balance of 0.1%.
I found a brand new standard Dl-103R with a perfect channel balance of 0.31 mV L & R for a shade over £210 delivered!
An aluminium body courtesy of Sound Improvements was £20.
I decided to use an AT LH-13 headshell and found on in as new condition for about £40.
There is an excellent video on You Tube that shows how to remove the existing plastic case from the 103 generator assembly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ENq8PoXhaU) - it looks a bit scary but actually only took about 15 mins.
The nuded assembly needs just a little filing as detailed in the video - not too much and it is a nice snug fit in the aluminium body. Needs to be gently pushed so it is fully seated. I then used a little slightly runny epoxy just to seal the front section but kept well away from the generator and wires.
Total weight of the Wyvern Dl-103R is 13.8g which is pretty darn close to the Zu Audio at 14g.
Now, while I liked the look of the AT LH-13, like an idiot I forgot it also had captive threads :doh: so I drilled the front 2 mount holes out so as to take the mounting bolts and allow them to fix into the captive threads in the aluminium body. Total weight of headshell and cartridge is 28.8g.
Setup was straight forward with the wide body and parallel sides - BUT another "issue with this headshell is the telescopic adjustment for overhang. With this cartridge geometry it will not allow the cartridge to be set far enough forward for the Baerwald setting used by my MINT! tractor as it runs out of adjustment so I set it to the OEM Jelco null points which require the cartridge to be set back by about 5 mm. It aligned perfectly to these.
VTF was set to recommended 2.5 g. Tracking the HfN test disc was a breeze with perfect tracking of first 3 out of 4 bands.
Output at 0.31mV is less than my Zyx so needed to turn the volume pots up more than usual to normal listening levels.
Straight from cold and not run it I am very happy with the sounds coming from it. In comparison to the Zyx the midrange has a more "liquid" character (More Mullard than Telefunken) - sounds very musical but neutral. 3D/soundstage seems a bit further back and flatter than the Zyx. Not listened enough to pass any more comments than those as yet but will report back as more hours go on it.
I found a brand new standard Dl-103R with a perfect channel balance of 0.31 mV L & R for a shade over £210 delivered!
An aluminium body courtesy of Sound Improvements was £20.
I decided to use an AT LH-13 headshell and found on in as new condition for about £40.
There is an excellent video on You Tube that shows how to remove the existing plastic case from the 103 generator assembly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ENq8PoXhaU) - it looks a bit scary but actually only took about 15 mins.
The nuded assembly needs just a little filing as detailed in the video - not too much and it is a nice snug fit in the aluminium body. Needs to be gently pushed so it is fully seated. I then used a little slightly runny epoxy just to seal the front section but kept well away from the generator and wires.
Total weight of the Wyvern Dl-103R is 13.8g which is pretty darn close to the Zu Audio at 14g.
Now, while I liked the look of the AT LH-13, like an idiot I forgot it also had captive threads :doh: so I drilled the front 2 mount holes out so as to take the mounting bolts and allow them to fix into the captive threads in the aluminium body. Total weight of headshell and cartridge is 28.8g.
Setup was straight forward with the wide body and parallel sides - BUT another "issue with this headshell is the telescopic adjustment for overhang. With this cartridge geometry it will not allow the cartridge to be set far enough forward for the Baerwald setting used by my MINT! tractor as it runs out of adjustment so I set it to the OEM Jelco null points which require the cartridge to be set back by about 5 mm. It aligned perfectly to these.
VTF was set to recommended 2.5 g. Tracking the HfN test disc was a breeze with perfect tracking of first 3 out of 4 bands.
Output at 0.31mV is less than my Zyx so needed to turn the volume pots up more than usual to normal listening levels.
Straight from cold and not run it I am very happy with the sounds coming from it. In comparison to the Zyx the midrange has a more "liquid" character (More Mullard than Telefunken) - sounds very musical but neutral. 3D/soundstage seems a bit further back and flatter than the Zyx. Not listened enough to pass any more comments than those as yet but will report back as more hours go on it.