Denon DL-103R Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

Always loved the sound of vinyl, now even more so!

I've used a few different carts, Grado Black, Grado Green, Ortofon OM10 Ortofon OM20, Ortofon OM30.

I thought I had reached the best with the Ortofon OM30, but deep down always knew my sound could be improved but for much more money!

So earlier this year I see a Sony PSX70 turntable advertised in near mint condition for $350. Out of curiosity I google the model. I read nothing but raves all over the net as being one of the best direct drive turntables ever made.

So I went for it!

I had also read that this Denon 103r cart is one of the best bargains in hi fi!

Cart not meant for all turntables though.

Though my PSX70 turntable was claimed to be THE perfect match for the Denon 103R!

So I am now tempted tp pull the trigger. I love my current MM phono preamp the Music Fidelity X-LP, but realize I will need a step up transformer or head amp to boost the Denon 103R's output since it is a MC cart.

I ordered the Lounge Audio Copla Head Amp to go through my phono pre's mm input.

Flash forward have everything all hooked up, put on my first record, sounds a little uneven and kind of harsh like the speakers wires are reveresed, but read the Denon 103R needs to be broken in for 20+ or so hours.

Fortunately the Sony PSX70 turntable has a side auto repeat function, so I turn the repeat function on leave the house to go to the store, return home about 4 hours later a walla, I am hearing music like never before! Broke in quicker than whats been recommended (milage may vary on other carts)

So open spacious, and warm! I always thought warm was a ridiculous statement for the vinyl sound but with the Denon 103R I now understand the term! The mid mass attacks, and low bass growls just right! Midrange is just smoooooth! Highs are are slightly rolled off to my ears, but I prefer rolled off highs! Everything just sounds right!

Another pleasant surprise on a few older used records I have, crackles and pops were quieter! I emphasize though, quieter, they will not completely go away.

About a month or so later I decide to fire up my prior turntable the Harman Kardon T45 with Ortofon OM30 cartridge which I am holding onto as a backup table. Loved the HK T45 and Ortofon OM30 prior, but after living with the Sony PSX70 with Denon 103R cart, it now sounds too bright and much less dynamic! The difference is night and day! (though the HK T45 and Ortofon OM30 still beat CD sound LOL)

I've also heard the Denon 103R can be upgraded to a new body, and even a superior stylus form companys like Soundsmith.

For about the first time with any audio component though, I have no desire to upgrade the Denon 103R at all to change its sound. I am so in love with its sound, I do not want to alter anything!

I see the price is a bit higher now. Even at the $400-$450 price range this is an all out bargain!

I know to many that sounds like a lot of money for a phono cartridge, but once you hear the Denon 103R on a well matched tonearm/turntable it will all be worth it!

Niko-laus Arn-old

January 19, 2020

HIGH FIDELITY CRACKLE & POP

Installation was very finnicky, if you drop one of the microscopic nuts it clearly wants to bounce off a surface and dissapear.....ok, deep breath and try again. After cartridge is fully adjusted and the needle 'drops' for the first time....very cool!

I am going to mount a second tonearm for some tweaking fun, but my combination of the handsome FFYX turntable from Lance with Kerces phono amp seems to love the DENON DL103R.

It's pretty inexpensive, too (at least for audiophile standards). So much fun to spin vinyl, beats streaming and CD imho.

DENON DL-103R plus NAD PP2E plus Technics SL-1210GR plus Yamaha A-S801 EQUALS WOW

It has been a LONGGG time since I have enjoyed the precious black vinyl. I did the bazillion tedious steps in setting up my brand new Technics SL-1210GR and brand new Denon DL-103R cartridge - plugged turntable into NAD preamp - from there ran 35' 18AWG RCAs to my new Yamaha A-S801 - connected ground ONLY from turntable to NAD - prayed - and then there it was.....WOWEEE...emanating from my vintage 1985 Phase Technology PC-65 fronts was sheer and utter bliss. Very First Album Played: brand new gift from son: Sufjan Stevens Come on feel the Illionoise (awesome album btw) all components were working as engineered and the end result was crystal clear beautiful analog sound. I LOVE NAD. NAD and I were introduced in 1985 and I have loved NAD equipment from then on - extreme engineering and so elegant and pure first class - and I can say also for Yamaha and the Technics - the NUMBER ONE priority of all of these makers is QUALITY of SOUND. The Yamaha is VERY QUIET - the Denon cartridge sounds so FREAKING GOOD - crystal - I AM NOT a turntable / cartridge FREAK like you read so much from Billy Bob and Freddy - yes, setting up a brand new turntable takes time and meticulous attention to detail..BUT it's not rocket science - I am EXTREMELY pleased with the NAD preamp - very quiet and all natural sound reproduction/amplification - RECOMMEND NAD HIGHLY, AS HIGH AS THE STARS ALLOW. LOVE NAD. Now if they would only upgrade the T787 to the T987 and do 13.2 with Atmos - the world awaits.. ;o)