The Great Denon DL103 Debate...

[chris@panteg]

Is there a similarity with the Decca London super gold, you see i have not heard a 103 but i once heard the Decca at Doug Dunlop's house many years ago, and it had a very distinctive sound which Dougie loved' but not sure if i could live with it .

[jandl100]

Yup, those Deccas certainly seem to be a love it or hate it thing. Personally, I'd love to try one.

Nice to hear about Doug Dunlop, too - I used to have one of his "Concordant Exquisite" pre-amps - nice & musical, but a bit coloured, imo.

[DSJR]

Decca's working right (they do, sometimes) in an arm they like and won't destroy and with a more solid mounting block (mine has a Bastin one similar to the GB of old) can sound closer to master tape than most other cartridges (I compared once). Whether you like this direct, forceful quality from your records and whether your preamp can take the transients from surface ticks etc. is another matter. I loved mine, most other turntable systems sounding like stodge by comparison.

One of the best vinyl sounds I've heard recently is the NAS Dias, 12" AceSpace arm and ZYX R100. Low surface noise, clean, uncloloured and clear and into a Tron phono stage, plenty of drama. It should be good, bearing in mind the price of deck/arm/cart/phono stage is about £7K!

[Togil]

err ... you what?

Not in my book, it isn't! the 103 has a wonderful rich tonality that does classical very nicely, thanks!

You really have to remember that you can buy these for £90 delivered in the UK! Sure you can get better carts and/or easier ones to get the best out of - but for £90 I cannot think of another cart I would rather use on classical.

I only quoted a pdf on the Clearaudio website just like you , (at least until recently,Jerry) I'm " all digital "

As for Clearaudio equipment, I'm sure it's very popular with German dentists.

[jandl100]

Well, some people like the 'Bling Look' (is that what you were referring to re: German dentists? Or because German dentists are rich and the Clearaudio stuff is said to be poor vfm? - sorry, I'm a bit slow today, these subtleties are passing way over head height!) ).

I've no idea personally what any of the Clearaudio kit sounds like, though, I've never heard any - but they sure get some good reviews!

Actually, that's not quite true - I have owned their little "Clever Clamp" LP puck thing in a previous vinyl revival.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clearaudio-Cle...2em118Q2el1247
Cheap, effective and cute! Not sure if German dentists would like it, though.

[muffinman]

Well, some people like the 'Bling Look' (is that what you were referring to re: German dentists? Or because German dentists are rich and the Clearaudio stuff is said to be poor vfm? - sorry, I'm a bit slow today, these subtleties are passing way over head height!) ).

Hi Jerry,
i don't think vfm was a consideration when the blanket statement was made. some people have strong opinions
personally i think if something is inexpensive yet sounds good - it's just good and good vfm
if something is expensive and sounds bad or cannot justify its cost - then not only is it bad, it's a rip off
even in a world were aesthetics play too important a role in an audible arena,
i think if clearaudio decks were overpriced and underperforming pieces of tat we'd have heard about it by now.
judging by the fact that this isn't really the case, i'm guessing they're not too bad.

just my 2p

[Beechwoods]

I believe the thinking was that German dentists like expensive kit for the audio playback in their waiting rooms. I've not heard the equipment in question so couldn't really comment...

[The Grand Wazoo]

Yup, those Deccas certainly seem to be a love it or hate it thing. Personally, I'd love to try one.

I never had a Decca, but the best sound I ever heard was at a demo with a Decca Gold (or Super Gold or something similar) on a Rock into (I'm pretty sure) the Beveridge speakers (that Howard has mentioned elsewhere here). Max Townsend was in attendance, & at one point I was in the next room talking to someone, when I had to stop - Both I and the guy I was talking to could have sworn that Frank Sinatra was in that other room - a neat trick 'cos he was dead. I've never been more convinced of the worth of a good system. I never got one that sounded like that, but then nor do I expect to (it'd be nice though!)

..........I've also heard Deccas sounding dreadful - they can mistrack like a bastard!

[anthonyTD]

I never had a Decca, but the best sound I ever heard was at a demo with a Decca Gold (or Super Gold or something similar) on a Rock into (I'm pretty sure) the Beveridge speakers (that Howard has mentioned elsewhere here). Max Townsend was in attendance, & at one point I was in the next room talking to someone, when I had to stop - Both I and the guy I was talking to could have sworn that Frank Sinatra was in that other room - a neat trick 'cos he was dead. I've never been more convinced of the worth of a good system. I never got one that sounded like that, but then nor do I expect to (it'd be nice though!)

..........I've also heard Deccas sounding dreadful - they can mistrack like a bastard!

i still use a cranfield rock turntable!!!

[niklasthedolphin]

I believe the thinking was that German dentists like expensive kit for the audio playback in their waiting rooms. I've not heard the equipment in question so couldn't really comment...

Now, I was the first one to mention any dentists waiting room in this thread and that was certainly not the meaning I put into it.............which is also clear if you go back and read what I wrote.

"dolph"