The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

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12-10-2020, 21:23
Mikeandvan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Lol... Which speakers are you referring to, the monster Lockwoods or the small, but perfectly formed Ditton 15s?:D

Ok, in terms of cartridges, yes I think that *in some areas* an MP200 would outperform the Shure. However, in the areas you mention, 60s rock and stuff, defo not. That's where the Shure excels!

As I said, if you're interested in trying one with a NOS stylus, pop me a PM:cool:

Marco.

Yep defo interested, the Lockwoods look amazing.
12-10-2020, 21:44
Marco

Now, at long last, released from its captivity in customs....!!

Ok folks, remember this from WAY back on 2nd September...? I'd nearly forgotten what it looked like!:doh:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Ok, I mentioned earlier that I was hopeful of imminently landing some vintage gems, and the deed has been done! These lovely things will be winging their way from Japan to chez moi...

NOS Denon DL-103GL (Gold Limited) - introduced in 1990, in a very limited run of 2000 pieces. It is, IMO, one of the finest 103s ever made, alongside the 'M' and 'SA', the latter which the GL is near-identical to:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/nXwm1Q.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/jD9iiv.jpg

And a lovely mint example of a 1976-vintage Denon AU-310 SUT:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/Nhv1C0.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/nKyugb.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/dCNoE4.jpg

$1300 for both, shipped (insured and trackable) to the UK!:)

It's been a while since I played around with SUTs, as I've mainly been using MC head amps, such as the Paul Hynes and Lentek. However, I wanted to revisit using this little device, as it's something I first encountered in 1982, when I bought my first DL-103, and used it with that to great effect!

The sound I remember from then was so warm and musical (but not in a euphonically coloured way), rather richly toned and lifelike, with an addictive rhythmic alacrity to the bass, so I wanted to try and recreate that, used in conjunction not just with the GL, but also my NOS, stock (Nippon Columbia-vintage) DL-103.

The GL is something I've *always* wanted, but genuine NOS ones rarely come up for sale. One of my biggest regrets (and fortunately I haven't had too many in audio) was selling my DL-103SA and buying an SPU, not because I didn't enjoy the SPU, but because I should've kept the SA!:doh:

Quite simply, it was one of the best cartridges I'd ever heard, fundamentally addressing the shortfalls of the stock 103 (introducing carbon-fibre reinforced resin casing, wound with 4N gold coils), and the music it made was simply magical!

So... Now I have the GL, which is built near-identically, and am really looking forward to hearing what it does, in conjunction with the AU-310, and also the Lentek!

Happy days:cool:

Marco.

Well, after a VERY long wait [don't ask] - bearing in mind that the freakin' thing landed in the UK on 15th September!! It's finally sitting in my local sorting office:yay::carrot::carrot:

So... Once I pay the charges due tomorrow (£230-odd:rolleyes: BOO-HOO, but worth it), I should have both items delivered on Wednesday! Full report and review on this combo to follow!:cool:

Marco.
13-10-2020, 00:52
Marco

Certainly sounding mighty fine in this YouTube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgo0...tSHo&index=410

:cool:

Marco.
13-10-2020, 10:40
Marco

Well, the charges have been paid and the delivery is scheduled for tomorrow, so I can barely contain my excitement!:carrot::carrot:

Meanwhile, here are some loving close-ups of my vintage Koss headphones....

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/wUPZrR.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/jvzvtX.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/HitX7P.jpg

And the equally superb sounding 'Lehmann' Chinese-made valve headphone amp, both of which compliment each other really well:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/cWrOEj.jpg

You can see the similarities: https://www.lehmannaudio.com/headphone-amplifiers.html

Main difference though is the respective price tags!!:D

:cool:

Marco.
13-10-2020, 11:33
The Black Adder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Well, the charges have been paid and the delivery is scheduled for tomorrow, so I can barely contain my excitement!:carrot::carrot:

Marco.

Great news... wow, that's an expensive import charge.

I think you will be really surprised with the quality of the AU-310. I'm loving it with the DL103-C1

It's a different flavour to the Lentek. It has a smoother presentation. Slightly more focussed too.

:)
13-10-2020, 11:43
Marco

£229.31, matey, to be precise, but hey how much would a cartridge cost today that would compete with or outperform the GL...£3k? I kid you not. Imagine getting another 20% of musical goodness from your C1 - that's what we're talking about!

It's all in the gold coils....:)

So, it was still well worth it, although I'm not happy with how I was pissed about by customs, freaking ridiculous, and will be making a complaint in due course!

Yes, it'll be interesting comparing the SUT with the Lentek, and also my £1500 Paul Hynes head amp and PSU:D

Marco.
13-10-2020, 12:24
The Black Adder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

£229.31, matey, but hey, how much would a cartridge cost today that would compete with or outperform the GL...£3k? I kid you not. Imagine getting another 20% of musical goodness from your C1 - that's what we're talking about!

It's all in the gold coils....:)

So, it was still well worth it, although I'm not happy with how I was pissed about by customs, freaking ridiculous, and will be making a complaint in due course!

Yes, it'll be interesting comparing the SUT with the Lentek, and also my £1500 Paul Hynes head amp and PSU:D

Marco.

Cool.

Maybe one day I'll get the SA or maybe even the GL. At the moment, I'm more than happy with the C1. :)

One of the best sound carts I've heard. :)
13-10-2020, 12:41
Jac Hawk

Just saw the listing on ebay mate, if it's the same place you got yours i can't believe they charge delivery as well :eek::eek:
13-10-2020, 13:06
Marco

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Adder

Cool.

Maybe one day I'll get the SA or maybe even the GL. At the moment, I'm more than happy with the C1. :)

One of the best sound carts I've heard. :)

Oh yeah, defo... The C1 is excellent. The GL or SA just things that bit further:)

Marco.
13-10-2020, 13:06
Marco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jac Hawk

Just saw the listing on ebay mate, if it's the same place you got yours i can't believe they charge delivery as well :eek::eek:

Which item and seller are you referring to, mate?

Marco.

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