Denon DL103 advice

[Amdan]

Hello again. Further to my post on the upgrade path for the Technics SL-1200 can I please have some advice on how to best optimise this cartridge? I own an Eastern Electric valve phono stage. I have on order a Graham Slee Elevator EXP SUT. The cartridge will be mounted on the Technics and also the Michell Orbe/Tecnoarm. I currently have the stock DL103 and have a Zu modified version on its way (due mid-March).

Thanks guys.

[Ali Tait]

A head shell weight seems to be accepted wisdom to allow the 103 to give of it's best.

[daytona600]

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0600/1121/files/Wand_10.3in_Technics_1_small-cropped_large.jpg?12916081041625782031

i would go for one of these , made across the water in NZ
10.3 Inch wand works a treat on a SL1200 with a 103

103s like rigid arms & not all high mass arms are rigid & some low mass ones are

[petrat]

103s like rigid arms & not all high mass arms are rigid & some low mass ones are

Interesting observation. Others have said that 103s like 'lossy' arms. I suppose one transmits unwanted energy away into the plinth, the other damps and absorbs it? :scratch:

Anyway, to answer the OP, as Ali says, use a good, heavy spacer between the cart and arm. I am not familiar with the stock 1200 arm, but it worked OK with the extra weight on the tecnoarm I had a few years back. There are lots of threads on AoS discussing this cartridge.

[Marco]

10.3 Inch wand works a treat on a SL1200 with a 103

103s like rigid arms & not all high mass arms are rigid & some low mass ones are

Not in my (considerable) experience they don't. However, that's not to say that by some quirk of luck a l03 will sound good on a wand, as there are no 'rigid rules' with cartridge/arm matching :)

That said, I have no doubt that a wand would sound superb on a Techy (it also suits it aesthetically), especially as 10-inch arms, IMO, offer the best of both worlds between 9 and 12" ones.

Marco.

[Floyddroid]

I can't help thinking there is a lot of bollocks written about the Denon 103. I have a couple of them and they work on all manner of tonearms. Got one strapped to my PL71 as I type in it's stock arm and it sounds great. I have also used one quite successfully in two Rega arms. I am very sceptical about different bodies for them too. I'll get me coat...:sofa:

[Marco]

Lol... It works well on the arm in your PL-71 because a Jap detachable headshell type, such as that, is exactly what it needs!

Also, "works" is entirely subjective. I've heard 100s of DL-103s 'working' on various arms, i.e. a sound emits from them... That doesn't mean to say, however, that they can't 'work' considerably better on something else ;)

Marco.

[Floyddroid]

I hear you!
Lol... It works well on the arm in your PL-71 because a Jap detachable headshell type, such as that, is exactly what it needs!

Also, "works" is entirely subjective. I've heard 100s of DL-103s 'working' on various arms, i.e. a sound emits from them... That doesn't mean to say, however, that they can't 'work' considerably better on something else ;)

Marco.

[Tea24]

I too am thinking of getting one of these. Can someone explain what's with with all the various cartridge stabilisers/bodies in various materials (wood, graphite/aluminium etc.)?

As to extra weight, would not just a heavier headshell do the job & if so what weight should one go for? (Jelco750 arm).

[Tea24]

BUMP! Nobody know about this?

[Marco]

Hi Julian,

I'm surprised that no-one has answered this in my absence. Anyway, as you probably know, I have a vast amount of experience experimenting with this cartridge and headshells for it, and there are a multitude of different solutions.

However, if you want a solid recommendation, which I know will sound superb on your Jelco, and not cost the earth, then I'd recommend an Audio-Technica LT13A, shown here:

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Audio-Technica-AT-LT13a-Die-Cast-Aluminium-Headshell-/391201267351?hash=item5b15699e97:g:EdAAAOSwHnFVpo1 W

...used in conjunction with what I've found to be a superb little Mpingo spacer: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190506528284?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Then fit these AT leads (superior to those supplied 'free' with the headshell), as I've found that they're about the best of them all with a DL-103: http://www.ebay.fr/itm/NEW-Audio-Technica-AT6106-Headshell-Leads-/351660046567?hash=item51e09278e7:g:VnMAAOSwUuFWyxK O

Do that, and trust me, your DL-103 with sing like a canary! ;)

Marco.

[Tea24]

Thanks, my friend; I shall definitely try that when bank manager agrees to more expenditure on stereo!!

[Marco]

No problem, Julian. Honestly, it works really well! :)

Marco.

[Amdan]

Hi Julian,

I'm surprised that no-one has answered this in my absence. Anyway, as you probably know, I have a vast amount of experience experimenting with this cartridge and headshells for it, and there are a multitude of different solutions.

However, if you want a solid recommendation, which I know will sound superb on your Jelco, and not cost the earth, then I'd recommend an Audio-Technica LT13A, shown here:

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Audio-Technica-AT-LT13a-Die-Cast-Aluminium-Headshell-/391201267351?hash=item5b15699e97:g:EdAAAOSwHnFVpo1 W

...used in conjunction with what I've found to be a superb little Mpingo spacer: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190506528284?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Then fit these AT leads (superior to those supplied 'free' with the headshell), as I've found that they're about the best of them all with a DL-103: http://www.ebay.fr/itm/NEW-Audio-Technica-AT6106-Headshell-Leads-/351660046567?hash=item51e09278e7:g:VnMAAOSwUuFWyxK O

Do that, and trust me, your DL-103 with sing like a canary! ;)

Marco.

Hi Marco.
Does the advice above apply to the Zu DL103 as well. I have a Michell Tecnoarm and the stock SL1200 arm. Thanks.

[Marco]

Hi Amdan,

No, in your circumstances, with the Zu being rather heavier than a stock DL-103, I'd use it in conjunction with the lower-mass, magnesium-based AT-MG10 headshell instead, as shown here: http://www.analogueseduction.net/headshells/audio-technica-at-mg10-headshell.html

The rest (recommended lead wire and spacer), however, still applies :)

Marco.

[Amdan]

Hi Amdan,

No, in your circumstances, with the Zu being rather heavier than a stock DL-103, I'd use it in conjunction with the lower-mass, magnesium-based AT-MG10 headshell instead, as shown here: http://www.analogueseduction.net/headshells/audio-technica-at-mg10-headshell.html

The rest (recommended lead wire and spacer), however, still applies :)

Marco.

Thanks Marco.

[Tea24]

I make no apologies for re-opening this thread. I now have a DL 103R purchased through this site (Thanks Andrew) mounted on my Jelco on the rebuilt GL75 and am hearing great things! A dead quiet background, lovely wide soundstage,details I have never heard before etc. Really chuffed!:)

I took Marco's advice on headshell, spacer, wiring etc. & am not disappointed; Cheers Marco; that's another one I owe you!!:):cool:

I was thinking of upgrading the phono stage to a Ifi iphono, but it is sounding so good through the Cambridge 640P that I don't know if I'll bother.

(Rest of kit; Quad 66/606.2/Kef 104/2s.)

Cheers all round