magiccarpetride
28-02-2019, 03:13
Last year I realized that my Denon DL-103, fitted on the Rega RB300 tonearm, is not giving me the sound I was after. So I decided to upgrade my tonearm to Jelco SA-750E. The vendor who fitted Jelco on my turntable recommended I try Ortofon OM20, which I agreed to do (out of curiosity). Immediately after I made that change (replaced RB300/DL-103 combo with Jelco/OM20 combo), I noticed an improvement in resolution.
After spending some time with the new configuration, I decided to try using the damping silicone oil that came with Jelco tonearm. I poured the entire content from the silicone oil container into the chamber on the Jelco arm. The damping really made a difference, as the sound became more precise, with finer details emerging. Quite impressive, I must say.
Fast forward to February 2019. On a whim decided to try and hear DL-103 on Jelco (never heard that combination before). After fitting Denon DL-103 on Jelco, was immediately struck with much improved presentation. This definitely was not my crusty old DL-103 that was suffering on Rega RB300. This was a real powerhouse cart, with loads of fine details, stunning realistic textures and timbres, and mouth-gaping enormity of a soundstage!
OK, so the question: while silicone damping oil definitely made a big positive impact on Ortofon OM20, does DL-103 also benefit from damping, or should I try emptying the Jelco chamber and allowing it to vibrate more lively?
After spending some time with the new configuration, I decided to try using the damping silicone oil that came with Jelco tonearm. I poured the entire content from the silicone oil container into the chamber on the Jelco arm. The damping really made a difference, as the sound became more precise, with finer details emerging. Quite impressive, I must say.
Fast forward to February 2019. On a whim decided to try and hear DL-103 on Jelco (never heard that combination before). After fitting Denon DL-103 on Jelco, was immediately struck with much improved presentation. This definitely was not my crusty old DL-103 that was suffering on Rega RB300. This was a real powerhouse cart, with loads of fine details, stunning realistic textures and timbres, and mouth-gaping enormity of a soundstage!
OK, so the question: while silicone damping oil definitely made a big positive impact on Ortofon OM20, does DL-103 also benefit from damping, or should I try emptying the Jelco chamber and allowing it to vibrate more lively?