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Thread: In praise of the Denon 103...

  1. #51
    Join Date: Sep 2016

    Location: Brussels, Belgium

    Posts: 132
    I'm Tim.

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    Quote Originally Posted by paulf-2007 View Post
    i just happen to have a1:2 step up I had made by klaus Hurler in Germany, he sells on eBay. I had it made to work with an SAE 1000, if necessary it could have resistors changed to match a 102
    OK, yes it's exactly one of his I am looking at/considering. Am already been in touch with him on the matter. I'm trying to fund this purchase in the first place.

    Can I ask; did you find some sound quality improvement in comparison before and after the SUT addition in your chain ? And if so how, what and where...
    - Cart Denon DL-102 in bakelite Ortofon SPU 'G' type headshell
    - TA SME 3009 'Improved' converted in heavy mass with detachable headshell
    - TT Thorens TD160 'E' totally tweaked driven by an 'Eagle & RoadRunner' PSU & tachometer combo
    - Matts top to bottom: leather, cork, felt & 12" vinyl
    - Pre-amp 'Modulis' Isem
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  2. #52
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Gravesend and France

    Posts: 1,498
    I'm paul.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tlscapital View Post
    OK, yes it's exactly one of his I am looking at/considering. Am already been in touch with him on the matter. I'm trying to fund this purchase in the first place.

    Can I ask; did you find some sound quality improvement in comparison before and after the SUT addition in your chain ? And if so how, what and where...
    It's been a good while since I used it so I couldn't describe the differences but was definitely much better all round. If you wanted to save a substantial amount of money I could do you a deal on the one I have, it's in as new condition. Message me if interested.
    Bakoon 13r Denon DP80 Stax UA-70 Shure Ultra 500 in a Martin Bastin body with jico stylus, project ds2 digital Rullit aero 8 field coils in tqwt speakers

    Office system, DIY CSS fullrange speakers with aurum cantus G2 ribbons yulong dac Sony STR6055 receiver Jvc QL-A51 direct drive turntable, Leema sub. JVC Z4S cart is in the house

    Garage system another Sony receiver, cassette deck


    System components are subject to change without warning and at the discretion of the owner.

  3. #53
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

    Posts: 31,850
    I'm openingabottleofwine.

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    Quote Originally Posted by paulf-2007 View Post
    I just happen to have a 1:2 step up I had made by klaus Hurler in Germany, he sells on eBay. I had it made to work with an SAE 1000, if necessary it could have resistors changed to match a 102


    Hello Paul

    Can you provide a link to this ebay site please? I would be interested in a 1:3 SUT.

    Thanks
    Barry
    Barry

  4. #54
    Join Date: Aug 2012

    Location: North East

    Posts: 3,670
    I'm Steve.

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    It's an ok cartridge, though as discussed adnauseum above it has It's issues. To simplify my experience of the 103, It's champion on vintage turntables with more compatibility issues on modern day units. The Denon sounded mediocre in my VPI though absolutely cracking in my Sony PS 6750.

  5. #55
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Floyddroid View Post
    The Denon sounded mediocre in my VPI though absolutely cracking in my Sony PS 6750.
    Did you use the same arm on both T/Ts, Steve? Bet you didn't!

    Plus, what you've said simply reinforces the point I've made about the 103 performing best on direct-drive (and also idler) T/Ts....

    Marco.

    P.S Some good recent posts here chaps, which I'll get to later
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

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    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

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  6. #56
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: West Yorkshire

    Posts: 1,796
    I'm Stephen.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
    ..... but *most importantly* is a correct match, sonically/tonally, in order to release its true potential. I've never heard a DL-103 sound right through a standalone MC phono stage. Marco.


    My experience of 103's various bears this out. They were always close but no cigar until I bought a Rothwell Headspace which enables variable loading and gain. The 103R needs totally different loading to the 103.

    I suspect the reason why many folk are disappointed is that the 103 is "sold" as a budget entry level cartridge that punches above it's weight. The problem is unless you fork out for a suitable SUT/headamp (another plug for the headspace) then it won't dance, and after you do fork out it's no longer a budget cartridge.

    However, once this is understood and the correct partnership is made then the results can be spectacular.

    Just saying.

    Steve
    Always a little further

  7. #57
    Join Date: Aug 2012

    Location: North East

    Posts: 3,670
    I'm Steve.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
    Did you use the same arm on both T/Ts, Steve? Bet you didn't!

    Plus, what you've said simply reinforces the point I've made about the 103 performing best on direct-drive (and also idler) T/Ts....

    Marco.

    P.S Some good recent posts here chaps, which I'll get to later
    No I didn't. I do agree with your notion about the 103 sounds good on dd and id turntables. I am selling a Lenco on here fore a friend of mine with a 103 on board and it does sound superb. I acquired my first one free in the late 70's when I bought a large Denon integrated amp from Gilson Audio (now gone the way of the dodo) in Middlesbrough. I had it on board a Rotel RP1500 which I still have fond memories of. I replaced it with an AKG P7E and later a P8E, which to my ears at the time was a more detailed sound than the Denon.

  8. #58
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,562
    I'm Kevin.

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    I love my 103, but it is modified with a brass body and boron cantilever and Shibata stylus.
    It sounds fantastic, probably due to the extra weight that is needed with my arm. I tried a lovely C1 that I bought from Marco, and sold it because I was not getting the best out of it in my set up. They really do something right, that is just so engaging to listen to.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  9. #59
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 207
    I'm Bikram.

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    Can i ask you guys, from where you refurbish Denon 103 with a new cantilever and stylus and how much it costs? thanks

  10. #60
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    There's a list of some on the forum: https://theartofsound.net/forum/show...ppliers-A-list!

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