Denon DL103 v DL103R

[AlfaGTV]

2juki in HK is the address to buy kosher. i both 2 103 there (not for me though), both excellent (within limits of the design)...

+1
Bought several from him and they've been all good, original carts.

[Yomanze]

I have also used 2juki.

I would rather use a modified DL103, in a wood body or mounted to a plate 'nude' than use a stock DL103 or DL103R.

[Floyddroid]

Yes i see where you are coming from, though i am a little nervous about performing such delicate procedures these days especially nude tee hee). As for mounting one on a plate, How does one do that?

I have also used 2juki.

I would rather use a modified DL103, in a wood body or mounted to a plate 'nude' than use a stock DL103 or DL103R.

[Yomanze]

Looks like this:

Adds a lot more focus and resolution.

There will be plates online for sale, I mounted mine using some Araldite epoxy resin.

[thankyoumisterman]

FWIW, I've ordered from innovee without issues. Whether or not a trans-Atlantic transaction would be hassle-free, I don't know.

Removing the Denon from its plastic body and putting it into an aluminum or wood case isn't brain surgery. Taking your time and performing the swap under plenty of good lighting is the key. I'm sure you've seen the Youtube video showing how to cut the glued areas on the plastic housing and remove the guts.

The Soundsmith-modified Denon is actually a 103 or 103R housed in a wooden case and affixed to a brass or aluminum plate.

[Floyddroid]

Hi Jim. Yer not too bad. How things wichu? Thanks for the link. Very helpful.

Hi Steve,

how you doing? Will we see you at NEBO this year?

I started a post with exactly the same question - you might want to take alook at some of the comments?

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...ht=denon+DL103


cheers Jim

[fordy]

The 103R sounds a bit more polished and polite than the stock 103r and loses the sheer verve, bite and energy that attracts many to the 103 in the first place. Its not necessarily better although I personally preferred the 103r of the pair. When left stock they have a favourable price/performance ratio.

Just don't get sucked into all the internet hype and mod them with ali or wood bodies and ruby cantilevers and the like. Don't build your analogue front end around them with special SUTs and heavy tonearms. It costs alot of money to do all this and despite what the internet would have you believe, they are NOT Koetsu beaters. Lol. Been there, done all that!

Rather than get sucked into the 103 crowd, if you want a better sound than a 103, buy a better MC in the first place, the results are far superior (something like a Benz Glider, Lyra Delos or Shelter 501.2 in my experience) to any Denon 103 variation and you won't have to do anything special with the tonearm and phono stage you already have (probably :-) ).

My top steer, and I see the forum has been talking about these recently, is a Nagaoka MP500 which not only avoids the need for an MC stage or SUT, it's right up there with the £1Kish MC's.

[NRG]

The problem with absolutes is they often get smashed apart by others experiences . Whilst I agree going for a ruby cantilever on a 103 is very OTT rebodying them is very worth while. Why not build your vinyl front end around one? It is a very engaging cartridge and if you accept its limitations in areas like detail retrieval it will still reward you with a musical, emotional and encompassing presentation in spades.... you just have to put the effort in...

[thankyoumisterman]

I'm not doctrinaire about these things - I love the sonic-value-per-cost of the Denon line - but there are so many ways to arrive at the goal of enjoyable listening. I don't know what the cost in the UK is of the Cartridge Man line, but that's a nice way to enjoy a high-quality moving iron cartridge without the cost of a head amp or step-up transformer.

The Denon 103 line, like the EMT TSD, is just a simple, damned high quality generator design that can be exploited to make an even more high-performing transducer. Some people who value the 103's basic sonic signature don't like the farting around that adding new casings or upgraded cantilever/stylus assemblies, and I respect that viewpoint for sure.

[Floyddroid]

I seen this little tinker (Denon DL103 with metal case) for £150 so i jumped on it. To my annoyance i have had mount it further back in the headshell to get the correct over hang so as you can see in the picture it just doesn't look right. Sounds pretty good though.