Vinyl Asylum

Sound Smith modified DL 103 with various cantilevers?

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dean man jim

A

I'm wondering about experiences folks have had with their DL103 using the SoundSmith aluminum cantilever with an elliptical or contact line stylus, as compared to use with the ruby cantilever / contact line combinations.

Differences, preferences?

I've logged much pleasurable listening with a SoundSmith modified DL 103, and am now approaching my eight-year anniversary with it. Time flies! Anyway the cartridge is currently on its second ruby cantilever/contact line assembly and in the coming weeks I plan to send it back to Peter for another retip. But which one :)

Thanks in advance,

Jim

"Never look at the trombones...it only encourages them." Richard Wagner

Follow Ups:

The question to ask yourself... - EdAInWestOC 10:31:19 10/21/14 (0)
Is how neutral is your system?

Replacing the cantilever and stylus on a DL-103/103x cartridge does nothing but make the cartridge better. People who differ with that opinion are most likely to be those that create a system by balancing components with this weakness vs that weakness.

I do not subscribe to that prescription. IMO, if you start by hiding weaknesses you will eventually have to deal with them or avoid improvements that would reveal that your system is too bright to begin with (for instance).

Replacing the DL-103/103x cantilever and stylus does nothing but produce a cartridge that reproduces much more detail, especially at the top end of the frequency range. I have lived with one for some years now and I sincerely wish I took the plunge long ago. I too feared what the change would do to the sound. My fears were so wrong and misplaced I cannot describe the mistake adequately.

If the change is not good for your system, then I respectfully submit there is something wrong or you are hiding some weakness in your system. The DL-103/103x is a very neutral transducer that is capable of much better reproduction and is held back by the limits of its stock stylus/cantilever.

If you don't agree with me, that's OK. I'm just stating what I have found after supporting the same mistaken notion, for far too long.

Ed

We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Similar dilemma here. - Opus 33 1/3 04:30:15 10/21/14 (0)
My Uwe Ebony body DL-103 with buggered cantilever (It was the cleaning lady, honest!) has been boxed up ready to send to Peter for months. I'm leaning toward the aluminum cantilever/elliptical stylus option, but have not made a final decision . . . yet.

Opus 33 1/3
RE: Sound Smith modified DL 103 with various cantilevers? - Dman 06:00:37 10/20/14 (0)
I'm sure you can look up my high praise for Peter's "Level Two" upgrade (ruby cantilever/line contact stylus).

I found it to be a massive improvement on an already great cart to begin with (Ortofon Kontrapunkt A)- the sound I hear is more music and less "record"; that is, less surface noise (pops and ticks, unless the record is REALLY trashed) and tracking issues replaced by more music that floats free of the speakers. I tend to forget I'm listening to a record and am just enjoying a performance or studio playback...

If you love what you already have had done, stick with it. If you want to try a higher level, maybe take another loved cart and have it done.

I fully intend to try the Level Two again; this time on both my Kontra A AND an MC 15 Super MK II.

Cheers,
Dman
Analog Junkie
my experience - ringwear 19:36:30 10/19/14 (0)
The ruby/FL is great on detail and speed but seemed removed from the original sound.
I tried the aluminum/E and it was like the original sound but with increased detail.
I prefer the aluminum because I like the original not so speedy sound, etc.
Nothing wrong with the ruby - sometimes I go back to it. Not for long, though.
If you are satisfied with the current configuration, have it redone that way. You may or may not like ... - J. S. Bach 16:34:39 10/19/14 (1)
...a different one. Not to mention that what sounds good to me (or others) may not sound good to you. System differences and all that. Just a thought.

Later Gator,
Dave
- RE: If you are satisfied with the current configuration, have it redone that way. You may or may not like ... - AudioSoul 17:07:09 10/19/14 (0)
  Wise advice plus one on that one.......

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