|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
70.54.28.163
Hi all, I don't think I've posted on the Asylum in a decade or so; it's nice to be back!
My system has been stagnant for the past 10+ years but recently my Benz MC Silver cartridge has probably aged beyond its useful lifespan and is in need of replacement; sound is lifeless, suspension seems to sag a bit. I'm looking to try out a LOMC cartridge and the most obvious starting point is the DL-103 and variants. I am not an expert in cartridge-arm matching so I'm seeking some validation here.
Things I "know" (ie. have read online) are that the Denons like high mass arms, and that the Japanese compliance measures for these carts are reported in a non-standard unit of measure which can be approximately converted to a traditional unit by multiplying by 2.5. I'm looking at variants of the DL-103 and find the following figures:
DL-103/R:
-spherical stylus
-compliance 11
-mass 8.5 g
-tracking force 2.5 g
-impedance 100 Ohm (standard), 14 Ohm (R)
DL-103S:
-elliptical stylus
-compliance 20
-mass 7.8 g
-tracking force 1.8 g
-impedance 40 Ohm
Assuming 1 g mass for mounting hardware, and using a 9.5 g effective mass for the Clearaudio Satisfy tonearm, I find the following resonance values for these two cartridges:
DL-103/R:
-11 Hz
DL-103S:
-8 Hz
I will be matching the cartridge with a Clearaudio Emotion table (version 1.0 ca. 2004) with Satisfy tonearm (aluminum wand). I have a selection of phono preampss available including, in ascending order of quality, a Rotel RQ-970BX, a Clearaudio Nano (variable loading and gain) and a Clearaudio Basic Plus (510 Ohm fixed load). Rest of the system is Myryad MP-100, MA-240, and Totem Hawks. Music is vocal and instrumental jazz, 70s-80s rock.
Looking at these carts as a relative novice to cartridge/arm matching, I suspect the 103S (if I can find one) is a better match on account of:
-lower mass, lower tracking force - can move counterweight closer to bearings
-elliptical stylus for better inner groove tracking
-ceramic body (improvement over plastic body?)
-better match of impedance/preamp load for use with Basic+ phono stage, assuming that 10x impedance is the rule of thumb for loading
-slightly better resonance frequency (8 vs 11)
Would you experts agree with my assessment that the 103S is the best 103 variant for my system?
Follow Ups:
nt
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 03/01/17
Were the DL-103D (IMO the best of the DL-103 models) and the DL-103M. The DL-103D has a stated compliance of 12 x 10-6 cm/Dyne. If you convert that by multiplying by 2.5 you end up with a high compliance cartridge...for a LOMC model.The DL-103M has slightly higher compliance (13 x 10-6 cm/dyne) but poses a problem for some phono amps. Its a very LOMC cartridge with a stated output of 0.12mv/ch. That is half the output of the 103D and the 103M has a special elliptical stylus mounted on a boron cantilever.
I own both and the 103D is a cartridge to own. If you get it retipped it borders on the giant killer category. The 103M is a strange bird but is also a great cartridge. On top of the boron cantilever and special elliptical stylus it sports a metal body.
The 103M sounds different from most the other 103 models. It is much more refined sounding and doesn't have quite the high level dynamics that the 103D has. It is not shy about rocking the house but the 103D will rock the house all the way down to the foundation. The 103M will come up just a little short in comparison.
Ed
PS. Both cartridges have been out of productions for over 10 years
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 02/27/17 02/27/17 02/27/17
My limited experience with the 103S in the 80's tell me that it should work well in a medium mass arm. My more extensive experience with a 103D tells me that the compliance match does not have to be perfect for it to sound good. It is going to be difficult finding a good 103S. They are all getting pretty old. From what people have posted here, I would expect a SoundSmith retip to work also.
Dave
I'm presently running a DL-103S that was retipped by Soundsmith, the sound is excellent with slightly deeper bass than my retipped 103...at 1.8g.
Look on Cryoparts website, there's a Soundsmith retipped 103S for sale.
I have a a 103 with a broken cantilever that I plan to send to SoundSmith.
Dave
I skipped the 103S and bought myself a 103 modified with ruby cantilever and line contact stylus today. I'd love to mount it... but my new high gain phono stage is in the mail the Rotel at hand isn't up to the task. I didn't want to risk buying some dusty old 103S just to find a seized up suspension and worn out diamond.
the s was an elliptical stylus model. the only new 103 cartridges are of conical stylus configuration. they are good sounding and popular but conical just the same.
...regards...tr
.
good luck with that. it is possible though.
...regards...tr
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: