Analog Gear News

Especially as you can transfer it to the next 103, which might occur quicker than with other cartridges due to the spherical stylus.

...years ago. I've pretty much moved on to the metal bodies for the DL-103, (Zu Audio, Paradox Pulse). Might need to try one of these.

Does anyone know if you can use the stock stylus guard with this? It normally clips over the body, but this looks like it might impede it. The new version of the Paradox body has an indentation that accommodates the guard.

but hate those "open-edge bolt channels". Aside from the apparent flimsiness, it's such a PITA to work with. I almost knee-jerk ordered one of these just now but will await your impressions, Sir Fremer.

I was very lucky to get one of these carts for a song about 5 years ago as one place was blowing out their stock. I got it because I own a near mint Denon DP47f table and this is the cart that used to ship with them! Someone mounted an old Sumiko Blue on my DP47f that was a total mis-match. (I am currently running an Ortofon 2M Bronze on it, I know that is a moving magnet and not moving coil like the DL103).
I'm not sure if I will ever mount the DL103 actually, but if I do, I plan on taking the masochist path of mounting it straight as is. While I am sure these aluminum caps may be a good solution to the mounting headaches of the DL103 and other carts with the same design, I personally can't justify spending $100+ on this solution. (That said though if I ever learn that the DL103 is a super cartridge of some type and I really have trouble mounting it, I will likely end up bellying up to the bar for this solution).

Oh hey Mikey, as for impressions, I like all of the above. Actually, you are a very good impressionist! I've heard you do most of them live too.

There are loads of articles, comments, etc., about the Denon 103 but I never see one for the 103D, which is the same thing with an elliptical stylus. Always wondered why — there are very few instances where an elliptical tip is not superior to conical, right, maybe even if ever? Perhaps because they are rare?

I had a 103D, new, when “The Wall” came out and the first time I listened to it, the clarity — especially in the more congested passages — blew me away. I had to reinstall whatever else I had at the time (ADC? Microacoustics 2002e?) to convince myself that the difference was truly night and day.

That cartridge somehow disappeared somewhere between college, graduate school, first job...who knows? Only recently I found another, barely used 103D and I find my impressions of back then are repeated.

Upon going to denonaluminumbody.com I discovered that the recommended VTF is 3.5g which is considerably higher than Zu Audio's 2.5g recommended tracking force for my Zu103 SerII Grade2 and also higher than Denon's recommended VTF of 2.5g +/-.03g. your's seems pretty high! Reasons?

I'm not seeing the real advantage here over the other aftermarket bodies, other than not having to nude the generator from the plastic body and affix it to the new body. The other designs are typically snug-fitting for the Denon motor, and/or potted with epoxy. I can testify that this route makes for a more cohesive, punchier, and more detailed Denon 103 over the plastic-bodied original, or the simply nuded generator (I have listened to all 3 on my system).

The 103D isn't a straight apples to apples comparison to the 103 or 103R. It's a higher compliance generator with wider frequency ranges and, of course, a reduced tracking pressure. It's a great cartridge; I wish Denon would manufacture it again.

I own a 103D I purchased NOS from Japan approx 12 years ago or so. Due to it's relative rarity I've been hesitant to "rebody" the cart. This does give me an option to rebody and still leave the OEM body intact.

I only wish they had also found a way to attach the cap to the body in such a way that tapped mounting holes could have been utilized - I realize that with this design that's not possible. But still it one could hope.

I wonder if applying some non-permanent adhesive to the cap to help facilitate a better connection between the two would be a plus or not?

How about this development?

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/apparently-high-definition-vinyl-comi...

Is the issue that once you try and tighten the bolts, they slip out sideways?

I will investigate for my 103D, rebuilt by Sound Smith. FYI- the "D" is very different from the basic 103, and 103r. Finer gauge copper coils, lower output, higher compliance, lighter body weight, a fine line elliptical stylus, and much more extended frequency response. Lighter weight and higher compliance make this cartridge more suitable for lighter to med mass arms rather than the high mass arms recommended for other variants of the 103. Some feel the DL304 is an updated version of the 103D.

Hi Michael - any advance on your proposal to test one of these out ? I have the cartridge but am hanging fire on purchasing this mount block until it gets the ok from your good self. Cheers, Ian