A quick review of cheaper MC's on a GL75. Ortofon Samba, Vivo Red and Denon DL 103.

[Firebottle]

It's between the 3, one bought a little while ago, one on loan and one just acquired.

For those that don't know the GL75 standard headshell there is a fairly flimsy aluminium cartridge carrier that provides front/back adjustment but also lowers the cartridge within the headshell, this is how the Samba is mounted.

With a spare headshell I had, I decided to cut some mounting slots to accommodate more traditional mounting arrangements.

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050880_1.jpg

OK not the neatest but they do the job.

Starting with my first foray into MC, just to dip my toe in so to speak, an Ortofon Samba from their entry level range a while ago.

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050131.jpg

OK the focus isn't great on the cart but I think we all know what a cart looks like :rolleyes:
A step up from all previous MM carts in my possession and a taster of what an MC can offer. An OK performer but having heard much better MC's I now know it is limited in tonal balance and ultimate smoothness.

Secondly an Ortofon Vivo Red on loan, a very similar looking body to the Samba but a later cartridge from Ortofon.

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050881_1.jpg

Yay the focus is good on his one. This was mounted in the slotted headshell with a couple of aluminium spacers.
A smoother presentation than the Samba, showing the improvement over time that the lower priced Ortofons have undergone. A nicely balanced sound with good extension and slightly firmer bass as well.

Lastly my newest aquisition, a Denon DL 103.

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050883_1.jpg

This has come with a brass isotek weight bonded to the top of the cart to give extra mass, so also acts as the spacer to lower the cart in the headshell :thumbsup:

As you may imagine with the extra mass the counterweight is nearly hanging off the end of the arm stub :mental:
Anyway from first needle drop this one has impressed, better top end extension noticed primarily.

Whilst looking at various stuff on the computer my attention keeps getting drawn into the music, it's just so 'Hey you - listen to this'.
It's got the ultimate boogie factor, apart from hearing new details on Fleetwood Mac, it just makes every track more tangible, I don't really know how to describe it. This is a keeper for sure.

I don't know if this is considered a stretch on compatibility for a GL75 but it's doing nothing wrong to my ears.

Thanks Spider for a quick (and very well packed) transaction.

Did I say I am like a pig in s**t, this is fabulous :yay:

[Ali Tait]

Nice one Alan, the Denon is a good cart.

[Barry]

You're not the first to comment that the Denon 103 likes a high mass at the headshell.

I used to use mine in an SME headshell with a thick lead shim placed between the cartridge body and headshell. Now I use a heavy (20.6g) Fidelity Research S-3 headshell.

You commented on the detail and 'boogie factor' of the Denon 103. Did you notice the deep and well controlled bass? That was what I noticed as well as the tidy treble. And like you mine are keepers as well. :)

[CornishPasty]

The 103 works just fine in the GL arm with a bit more mass. I wonder if the V blocks help filter away some of the Denon's excess energy. Anyway nice to see someone else enjoying the old clunker.

[Bigman80]

I'm really pleased it's settled in well Alan.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Jimbo]

Nice to hear the 103 will work OK in the Lenco.

Surprised it performed better than both the Ortofons.

I will have to bring back the Shure M55e/Jico SAS next time I am over now you have changed your v blocks so you can hear how good it really is.:)

[Firebottle]

Surprised it performed better than both the Ortofons.

It's just got that 'connection' to the music. Difficult to describe but so inclusive in pulling you in to the music.

Th AT33 that I heard when Kevin came up with his was spectacular in it's smooth and clear presentation of any genre of music.
The DL 103 however grabs the 'soul' and energy of the performance. Struggling to put it into words but it's knocked my socks off with enjoyment of the music.

:D

[Spider]

Glad you like the 103 Alan.

[rdpx]

I was very very close to buying a 103, apparently if you put them into a wooden body it's a huge upgrade for fifty bucks or so... Then when the tip goes a fancy retip gives you another huge upgrade, all the while retaining the signature sound.
Glad you're loving it, though it makes me think maybe I should have got one too! Then again, i can always get one down the line, eh?

:)


Sent from my GT-I9195 using Tapatalk

[CageyH]

It is a shame you did not have it when I visited.
It's another cartridge I would like to listen to.

You can pick up wooden and metal bodies for them on eBay realitively cheaply, if you wanted to take things a little further.

[Firebottle]

The '75 arm now has 3 knife edge bearings on it :scratch:

Looking around for something to add weight to the standard counterweight I found a knife edge bearing 'block', of about 30 grams.

So I've stuck it to the back of the counterweight and it has brought the weight a lot closer to the pivot rather than nearly hanging off the end :)

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/P1050884.jpg

:cool:

[mikeyb]

Next move is to try a Zu version OR do your own with a body from eBay ;)

Wish I'd kept mine now :(