2m Black vs Denon DL-103

[Jimbo]

Has anyone compared these two cartridges?

Can you give me an opinion of which one you think sounds best and why?

I am just trying to decide if it is worth going down the Denon DL103 MC route or wether I should stick with the 2M Black?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[petrat]

Chalk and cheese.
I've had both and would say that, by the prevailing 'hifi' standards of things like detail retrieval, the 2M is better.
But, I much preferred listening to music with the 103.
If you like the 2m Black, then stick with it. It's a better match for your arm than the 103.
I can also see that having a detail-retrieving source would give the Crofts something to get their teeth into.
Nice system btw ... I wouldn't mess with it unless you are not happy.

[Jimbo]

Chalk and cheese.
I've had both and would say that, by the prevailing 'hifi' standards of things like detail retrieval, the 2M is better.
But, I much preferred listening to music with the 103.
If you like the 2m Black, then stick with it. It's a better match for your arm than the 103.
I can also see that having a detail-retrieving source would give the Crofts something to get their teeth into.
Nice system btw ... I wouldn't mess with it unless you are not happy.

Thanks for that advice Peter. I have enjoyed the 2M Black very much in my system for the last 2 years and in order to use the Denon 103 I would have to make a reasonable investment in a new cartridge, SUT and as you suggested my tonearm may not be as compatible.

I am however interested in going down this route as I have an itch to scratch and would like to try a MC cartridge without a massive outlay and the Denon was on my list as a cheap option. However if the Denon 103 is not a suitable match to my arm maybe I should save some cash and think of a more suitable MC cartridge?

I may well just replace my stylus on the 2M and continue with it although I would always be curious as to what I could be missing with a MC!

[Arkless Electronics]

The 103 in standard form has a spherical stylus so a bit iffy as regards top end detail and tracking ability.

[CageyH]

How about a HOMC such as the SAE1000LT?

[Arkless Electronics]

I heard a Sumiko blackbird HOMC and thought it very nice. Generally though L.O types are better.

[Ali Tait]

Denon DL S1.

[Jimbo]

Denon DL S1.

Agree with you on this Ali - truly superb cartridge and relatively cheap, however is it a bit light in the bass or is this rectified with suitably matched SUT?

[Ali Tait]

I thought the same, but that was using it on my Tecnoarm - I could never get it to sound right.

Using it on the Mission arm is a completely different story though, it sounds superb and there is no lack of bass at all. I think the many bass light reports on the net are people using the cart on arms that don't suit it. It's the most finicky cart I've used, it needs anal attention to detail when setting it up, but get it right and it is a great cart.

I'd suggest a head amp would be better than a SUT for this cart though, that or a valve MC stage with enough gain.

[RobbieGong]

Hi James, Just my tuppence worth but personally I’d look elsewhere in terms of an ‘improvement’. The Black in my experience is a stonking cart. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had the itch too, that’s the nature of the beast that is. However, unless you are gonna spend a good amount more then I believe you’ll get different and not necessarily better. As you know the Black isn’t flavoured it just gets about playing what is on the record retrieving oodles of the info on there. When my system has been at it’s best in terms of set up I have been astonished at the ‘honesty’ in which the Black presents the music. What I mean is no two recordings sounded the same – exactly !! each recording had its 'actual' sound not a flavour / obvious characteristic / signature sound. This was a revelation for me and addictive! Good recordings were just that, bad ones were revealed but the ‘music’ was always there. My system is currently going through a few big changes and I’ve been ampless for ages but the Black will most definitely remain. The one cart I hanker for is its bigger brother the Cadenza Black as I believe it does the same but with even better / more of the same but at a price. Obviously if you want something different then that’s fine. As I say, just my tuppence worth.