 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
| Model: | DL-S1 |
| Category: | Phono Cartridge |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $940 |
| Description: | LOMC |
| Manufacturer URL: | Denon |
| Review by nanbil on August 21, 2011 at 08:58:02 IP Address: 68.229.230.171 | Add Your Review for the DL-S1 |
This is a fantastic cartridge. I set up the cartridge using the Rega Arc Baerwald protector found on Vinyl Engine and HiFi News' Analogue Test Record. I found that a VTF of 1.45 and a bias setting of just under 1 provided the best sound in my system. Right away the DL-S1 showed that it is a very fine cartridge. Initially it was slightly closed in, but started to open up after about 10 hours of use and continued to do so for the first 30 hours or so of use. The Denon had no trouble tracking all of HiFi News' tracking tests, including the legendary torture track number 9. The Denon DL-S1 tracks as well or better than any cartridge that I have owned. Compared to my former cartridge, an Audio Technica OC9 MLii (also a very fine tracker), there was noticeably less distortion in bands 7, 8, and 9.
Okay, how does it sound? The Denon is a very dynamic cartridge-almost as dynamic as the OC9 it replaces-but unlike the OC9, it plays with equal amounts of verve and elegance. This is an extremely sophisticated cartridge; it provides a highly nuanced and musically satisfying sound. Subtle differences in musical timbre (distinguishing between the first and second violins in a string quartet for example) are more distinct and tangible. Transparency is a word that comes to mind. The Denon simply plays what's in the groove; it does not artificially inflate or alter the recorded sound to appeal to a given HiFi constituency.
This is a very fine cartridge and will stay in my system for a very long time.
| Product Weakness: | Very low output |
| Product Strengths: | Tracking ability, facility to differentiate between subtle musical timbres, musicality and musical transparency. |
| Amplifier: | B & K M200 Mono-blocks |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Musical Fidelity A3cr |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Rega P7 |
| Speakers: | Thiel Audio 2.2 |
| Cables/Interconnects: | DH Labs T-14, DH Labs Revelation |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Progressive Rock, Jazz, Classical Orchestral Music and Opera |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 30 x 22 x 10 |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | One Month |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
I recently purchased a Musical Fidelity kW Phono Stage specifically for the DL-S1 and all I can say is WOW!!!!! The difference in sound is astounding; I can say without exaggeration that the kW phono stage has provided the greatest positive enhancement to my system than any other single other product I have used. If you are using a high quality cartridge like the DL-S1 you owe it to yourself to buy a high quality phono stage.
I seem to use my newer acquired Dynavector DV-20X2L more...
I believe the DV20 mates better with the Dyna P-75mkII than the Denon.
Frank
....
Kind of Blue
.
Edits: 02/27/18
For Denon fans viewing. I got an itch to try a ZU modified Denon 103. What does this cartridge, a 103 with no designation that I can tell, have in common with the original 103D of the seventies? What kind of stylus tip? Anyone? Thanks.
LOMC cartridge with an elliptical stylus like previously mentioned. I have owned a Denon DL-103, 103R and 103D and the 103D is a far better cartridge than the 103 and 103R.
And thats not saying that the 103 and 103R are anything to dismiss. Its just that the 103D is that much better.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
I had a 103D on loan from a dealer for awhile in the day and remember it was fabulous on jazz- some Woody Shaw releases come to mind- cause it was notably fast and exciting. I opted for a Koetsu Black, however, cause it sounded in my system like something between the Denon and a FR mkIII, a very lush sounding cartridge, which it replaced. These days, I'm itching to try that Zu modified Denon with an epiliptical stylus if I can corral one.As regards the SL1, I wonder what would happen if I put my old Marcof in the line in front of my MM/MC phono pre? Or, after? Any ideas about that? Thanks.
Edits: 08/25/11 08/25/11
But there are a lot of modified 103/103Rs around. The Zu is a relatively new example of a hotrodded 103/103R. The problem with the 103/103R is the conical stylus. Some people call this sound romantic or lush but I call it limited.
The generator in the 103/103R is quite a bit more capable than the stylus. The limiting factor is thankfully an easy fix. The same Zu bodied cartridge with a nice cantilever and stylus is a much better cartridge than the conical stylus and aluminum cantilever is capable of showing.
IMO if someone needs the conical stylus to make their system sound good, they have more serious problems than a 103 can fix. Ideally a system should be able to take the extra detail that a retipped 103 can resolve without sounding too analytical. If not its time for reexaming the components that someone is using.
At least that's my opinion,
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Perhaps it is a matter of taste. There is a lot of talk about this "sounds better than that" without the "in what way." If "sounds better" equals more detail, then that is not always a good thing.
Case in point: back in the early 80s, my friend had two turntables: an Oracle Alexandria and a Systemdek. Way more detail on the Oracle. Cut into and portrayed the notes way better. It was exciting...for about half an hour. Went back to the Systemdek and lost all kinds of minute detail, but the song sounded...well, like a song. It was a coherent whole. It was what you heard when you saw a band in a bar or a baroque orchestra in a church. In short, you were moved.
I've had cartridges that are more detailed than my current Zu-103 and my Denon 103SA, but I can't say they made me enjoy music more.
I'd say the same about conical styli too: move to something else at your peril. If you are happier with an elliptical or something more radical, fine. But don't assume that the detail you can get from another type of styli is going to be more musical than what you have already.
I had a Soundsmith Boheme and it hugged the groove very well and extracted all kinds of stuff my Zu-103 didn't. I sold the Boheme. Not slamming anything, but more isn't necessarily better.
The plain 103 (no suffix) has a conical stylus. The 103D had an elliptical stylus. Denon has done dozens of variations on the 103 since it was first introduced almost half a century ago.
conical styli. a worn out one could be sent to soundsmith OR peter sells new 103s with a variety of cantilevers and styli at believable prices.
the DLS-1 can be had with a long expected delivery time for much less than the $949 list at comet supply.
...regards...tr
Much thanks, Tomas.
nurturing from your uncle tommy!
...regards...tr
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
