Analog Gear News

The longevity of Denon's 103 cartridge series, first introduced in the 1960's and still in production speaks to the design's enduring popularity. The design's weak point is its flimsy mounting system. As my colleague Art Dudley put it in the December 2007 issue of Stereophile: "The most common complaint about the DL-103 is also the truest: Its good motor is compromised by a too-flimsy mounting arrangement, with open-edge bolt channels that prevent the cartridge from being rigidly fastened to a head shell."

This weak link has led to a number of modifications, most of which require "major surgery", which requires you to buy your modified 103 from an outside vendor. Now comes "The Cap" from denonaluminumbody.com, a small Canadian manufacturer whose name is the same as the company's mission statement (the company being an individual who decided to produce a single, but very practical product).

"The Cap" is a clamp-type aluminum device that, unlike other "mods" doesn't require removing the stock plastic body, nor is the "nude" motor then friction fitted into an outer aluminum body that results in no mechanical connection to the head shell.

Instead, "The Cap", machined from hard anodized 6061 aluminum, securely bolts through the stock cartridge body to the head shell, which provides a firm mechanical connection. What's more, it's removable so you can use it on your next 103.

For more information click on the above hyperlink. Right now on the site the regular $120 price has been knocked down to $95. The designer is sending a stock 103 and a "Capped" one for review. Files from each will be posted under the review so you can judge the sonic benefits.