Help Please , pretty please....

[ourdogmax]

Hi all, I am using a DL-103 in a aluminium body.
And today I received a pair of Sowter Type 9580 sut's.
I need to know the correct loading to match the phono stage Yaqin MS-12B @ 47k.
It seems to sound OK but I really want to optimise the sound to get the best from what I've got.

Thanks in advance. :cheers:

[Barry]

Hello Darrell,

The Sowther 9580 transformer has a step up ratio of 12.5:1. As a result, the 47KOhm input impedance of your phono input will be transformed down to 47000/(12.5^2) = 301 Ohm.

The Denon 103 likes to "see" something like 100 Ohm, so you will need to place a 24kOhm resistor across the secondary winding (the one that feeds into the phono input). This will cause the input impedance, as seen by the cartridge, to be reduced to approximately 102 Ohms. I say approximately, as I know neither the primary nor the secondary coil winding resistance for the 9580.

Regards

[ourdogmax]

Cheers Barry I'll give that a try. :cool:

[ourdogmax]

OK, first impressions are better. :eyebrows: I will run it like this for a few days and see how we go.
Thanks again Barry

[The Grand Wazoo]

Darrell,
You might find something of use from reading my experiences of using loading resistors on my step-up transformers. Different cartridge, amp & transformers, but the principles are the same.

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2907

Cheers

[Barry]

You're welcome Darrell. :)

[ourdogmax]

Cheers Chris for pointing that link out.
Very informative.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Glad to help!
And welcome to AoS, by the way.
Cheers

[ourdogmax]

Sorry to be a pest but.....

I have this cart married to a Mayware formula 4 arm, purely because I read somewhere that the 103 was OK with unipivots. Now I'm not sure if I've done the right thing.
The Mayware replaced a rega rb250 well modded, but I heard it was going to be no good with a 103.

What are your arm recommendations without breaking the bank.
Or can I make the Mayware sing.

Once again thank you in advance.

[Barry]

I'm not familiar with the Mayware arm - my experience with uni-pivot arms is limited to the Audio & Design design (later known as the Keith Monks arm). I see no a priori reason why either a uni-pivot is necessary, or if chosen, should not work with the Denon 103. I take if you are damping the pivot of the Mayware arm?

I can't speak for the Rega arm, but it is well regarded. I have used the Denon 103 in an SME arm, but I do use the SME FD200 fluid damping dashpot fitted near the pivots.

Regards

[ourdogmax]

Yes Barry, the pivot is damped with 75000 cps silicone.

It's the one with sliding vtf along the arm wand, in theory the closer it gets to the headshell the higher the arm mass.

with well recorded discs it sounds awesome, but doesn't tolerate bad recordings well and seems to slightly mistrack.

I'm in the process of playing all my vinyl to see what I'm keeping and what is going to the charidy shop.

I was a DJ for a very long time and have amassed a lot of records, some very road worn.

Also a lot of carboot vinyl of varying quality.

[Barry]

Yes Barry, the pivot is damped with 75000 cps silicone.

It's the one with sliding vtf along the arm wand, in theory the closer it gets to the headshell the higher the arm mass.

With well recorded discs it sounds awesome, but doesn't tolerate bad recordings well and seems to slightly mistrack.

I'm in the process of playing all my vinyl to see what I'm keeping and what is going to the charidy shop.

I was a DJ for a very long time and have amassed a lot of records, some very road worn.

Also a lot of car boot vinyl of varying quality.

75,000 cps is quite sufficient. When you talk of "bad recordings", do you mean those that are poorly recorded, mixed and pressed - or do you mean those LPs that are worn out? I can't think of any system that is especially benign to worn recordings. What tracking force are you using? 2.5g is not uncommon for the DL103 (It's what I use).

If you are content with what you have, why worry? Having said that, the Rega arm is probably a more versatile arm, should you wish to try out other cartridges. However you will have to spend quite a bit to do better than your already excellent Denon 103.

Regards

[ourdogmax]

I think that's the point Barry, I really want to make the best of the denon.

I love the denon sound, having had a dl304 and dl160 (I still have this) and have just replaced it with the 103 which has a certain magic that I can't put my finger on.

I am under the impression it should sound even better though.:scratch:

Is it me :mental:

[ourdogmax]

by the way I mean poor pressings, mainly 80's talk talk, tears for fears etc.
they sound quite thrashy and not full and easy to listen too.

Also I do track @ 2.5g.

[Barry]

Think I'll have to hand you over to a "child of the '80s and a Denon 103 lover". He knows who he is, and will no doubt be along to help you out!

Regards

[ourdogmax]

I don't just listen to 80's music, my main fare is rock, prog :fingers: rock and funk.

throw in some T Rex a sprinkling of disco boogie and punk, Oh and don't forget the easy listening, Frank Sinatra, Perry Combover..................

Just kidding about the last one, or am I :dance:

[Barry]

Don't knock Perry Como - the man had soul. But then each to their own - I wouldn't touch T-Rex with a barge pole!

Regards

[ourdogmax]

Fair enough, actually a guilty pleasure is Matt Monroe, even seen cliff and tom Jones.
But don't tell anyone:eyebrows: