jandl100
17-01-2010, 09:17
My LP playing had slowly been fading away, which is a shame as I have lots of fine music in my LP collection. Something had to be done - the eye of suspicion fell on my Ortofon Rondo Bronze mc cartridge - a mighty fine device, no doubt about that - oodles of detail and excellent dynamics - but in my system a little cool and lacking in musical passion perhaps!
What to do? I'd very much enjoyed my time with a standard Denon 103, but I know from past experience that going back to an old fave doesn't maintain my interest for very long at all. So perusing eBay, as one does ;) , I came across an auction for a brand new modded Denon 103 from The Analogue Factory, TAF. They whip the body off and mount the cart in an open aluminium shell. I'd heard lots of good words about this type of approach, although there seems little info around about this particular company. But what the hell, I bid and won.
It arrived yesterday, after a long wait due to local 'orrible road conditions and lack of postal service - lots of concerned phone calls from Chris, the TAF guy. Excellent service, I would say.
Ain't she purdy! .... :eek:
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DenonTAF5.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DenonTAF6.jpg
Very early days yet, of course, and I am sure the beastie has to run in for a while - but initial impressions are very favourable. Loads of nicely focussed detail, but a warmer more inviting approach than my Ortofon. Very pleased so far.
It comes with a 45 day 'satisfaction guarantee', so lots of time to let it settle in and see how we get on together!
That kind and all-round good fellow, Marco, has posted me a mounting plate that should make a good match with my arm, but sadly that hasn't yet arrived .... :(
Here's the blurb from the eBay auction:
Based on the legendary Denon DL-103 nuded, with machined body, dual compound epoxy potted motor assembly and body, increased weight and machined directly into body EIA standard two hole mounting.
So whats it sound like? The original DL-103 is a classic, easy to set up and it really soaks the music from that stereo groove. Its easy on the ears, has super cartrtidge status in the meat of the music range, with real stereophonic magicness. While the original has life, compared to modern pickups it is not all that resolving in the bass; lacks detail as a whole (no more)
the *T.A.F DL-103 cleans it all up, expanding all the good traits, adds incisiveness and full bandwidth dynamic slam and delicacy all without making it sound like a soulless modern cartridge.
Making a good cartridge Great !!!!
There's another on auction on eBay for another one ... I hope it goes for more than I paid! :eyebrows: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Analogue-Factory-Denon-103_W0QQitemZ200427435075QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Aud ioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables?hash=item 2eaa67f443
What to do? I'd very much enjoyed my time with a standard Denon 103, but I know from past experience that going back to an old fave doesn't maintain my interest for very long at all. So perusing eBay, as one does ;) , I came across an auction for a brand new modded Denon 103 from The Analogue Factory, TAF. They whip the body off and mount the cart in an open aluminium shell. I'd heard lots of good words about this type of approach, although there seems little info around about this particular company. But what the hell, I bid and won.
It arrived yesterday, after a long wait due to local 'orrible road conditions and lack of postal service - lots of concerned phone calls from Chris, the TAF guy. Excellent service, I would say.
Ain't she purdy! .... :eek:
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DenonTAF5.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DenonTAF6.jpg
Very early days yet, of course, and I am sure the beastie has to run in for a while - but initial impressions are very favourable. Loads of nicely focussed detail, but a warmer more inviting approach than my Ortofon. Very pleased so far.
It comes with a 45 day 'satisfaction guarantee', so lots of time to let it settle in and see how we get on together!
That kind and all-round good fellow, Marco, has posted me a mounting plate that should make a good match with my arm, but sadly that hasn't yet arrived .... :(
Here's the blurb from the eBay auction:
Based on the legendary Denon DL-103 nuded, with machined body, dual compound epoxy potted motor assembly and body, increased weight and machined directly into body EIA standard two hole mounting.
So whats it sound like? The original DL-103 is a classic, easy to set up and it really soaks the music from that stereo groove. Its easy on the ears, has super cartrtidge status in the meat of the music range, with real stereophonic magicness. While the original has life, compared to modern pickups it is not all that resolving in the bass; lacks detail as a whole (no more)
the *T.A.F DL-103 cleans it all up, expanding all the good traits, adds incisiveness and full bandwidth dynamic slam and delicacy all without making it sound like a soulless modern cartridge.
Making a good cartridge Great !!!!
There's another on auction on eBay for another one ... I hope it goes for more than I paid! :eyebrows: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Analogue-Factory-Denon-103_W0QQitemZ200427435075QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Aud ioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables?hash=item 2eaa67f443