Originally Posted by
Martyn Miles
A vast soundstage and a bass end I had never experienced with the Entre.
I am running with a DL-102 since 8 years now. And have learn to play it more and more optimistically through the gradual conversion of my SME3009 'Improved' S II into a heavy and heavier effective mass tonearm to hear the DL-102 perform good to end-up with a big and deep sound stage presentation.
Mind that my DL-102 is a HOMC (103 is LOMC) and so likely even more "exotic" on it's loads, gains and impedances the the DL-103 is. But I wouldn't be surprised if the DL-103 wouldn't benefit from a preamp with adjustable settings (more than the preconfigured switch from MM to MC) like mine if ever.
Off course other or higher-end MC cartridges will prove of other standards in comparison. Such Denon's DL 'as-is' won't proved as detailed, rich and deep. But for my money and use for my vintage 45 rpm on my phono set-up, I can say that I am proud, happy and impressed with what this cartridge delivers.
The DL-102 cartridge was design and build for radio broadcast and so aim at retrieving the most of the groove to present music in the first place. Which I find they can be really good at on an appropriate phono system. Musicality and soundstage is what I need. This DL-102 of mine does give me that
- 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
- Amp 'Exampli' Etalon 2x40W
- Speakers 12" Leak 'Sandwich' first generation creatively recapped