WTD Denon 103

[Jimbo]

Anyone got a lightly used 103 they want to sell?

[Vince]

Hi Jimbo, I've just sold my 103 to Mad-Moon (who is very happy with it), and bought the 103r. My advice is to get the 103r as it is top to toe better. The 103 is a super cartridge and worth every penny but the extra is worth it for the 'r'. Stunning and a true 'giant killer'. I'm using it on a Gyro Dec with rewired rb 300 arm into a Primare R32 phonostage and then into my Musical Fidelity AMS 35i feeding B&W 804S speakers and it is in no way outclassed.......just thought you might want to know as I'm a bit of a fan of the Denon's. Cheers.

[Jimbo]

Hi Jimbo, I've just sold my 103 to Mad-Moon (who is very happy with it), and bought the 103r. My advice is to get the 103r as it is top to toe better. The 103 is a super cartridge and worth every penny but the extra is worth it for the 'r'. Stunning and a true 'giant killer'. I'm using it on a Gyro Dec with rewired rb 300 arm into a Primare R32 phonostage and then into my Musical Fidelity AMS 35i feeding B&W 804S speakers and it is in no way outclassed.......just thought you might want to know as I'm a bit of a fan of the Denon's. Cheers.


Have you tried the 301 mk2, I'm getting stunning results out of it but always been interested in 103. May take your advice on the 103r. Thanks for the recommendation.

[walpurgis]

I agree with Vince and much prefer the 'R'. The 103 series have more weight and body than the 301 and much more than the 304.

[Jimbo]

I agree with Vince and much prefer the 'R'. The 103 series have more weight and body than the 301 and much more than the 304.

Are you comparing against 301 or 301 mk2?

Very different beasts I think Geoff.:)

[walpurgis]

Are you comparing against 301 or 301 mk2?

Very different beasts I think Geoff.:)

I was referring to the original 301. Not used the Mk.II. Specs are fairly similar though. The 301 has a more gutsy sound than the 304, which is a bit 'polite'.

[Marco]

Indeed. The 304 is my least favourite Denon cartridge. IMO, it's not much good for anything but light classical/choral music, or female vocals - that type of stuff, as it totally lacks 'balls'. The 301 MKII, as Jim says, sounds nothing like the 304. It's a superb all-rounder.

In terms of the 'vanilla' DL-103 or 103R, it just depends what you're looking for, the balance of your system, and so which cartridge will perform best in it. Crucially also, how much effort you're willing to put in to get the best out of the former, which IMO when *fully optimised*, is the more musically satisfying of the two, with a richer overall tone, but not in any way warm or dull sounding in the right set up.

It's so easy to superficially 'tune into' the (overall) brighter sound of the 'R', and conclude that it's definitely 'better'! ;)

Marco.

[CageyH]

There is a Shibata re-tipped 103 over on the Wam