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I recently upgraded my system to include a SS rebuilt (Ruby Line Contact) Denon 103D, Cinemag 3440 SUT and ARC SP10. (LP12-ITTOK LVII combo).
My problems are correct loading and gain.
The SUT was configured for selection between 1:10 and 1:20, I have it set for 1:20. The ARC has 2 gain choices; High, used for MC cartridges straight in, and Low, used for MM cartridges. I have gain set to Low due to use of an SUT.
Volume control is set to about "10:00" which provides an acceptable level without tube noise or hum.
ARC loading choices are 47K-10K-100-30-10 ohms. I initially used 100 ohms and found gain to be very low. I switched to 10k and now have an acceptable gain level. However the cartridge sounds noticeably brighter- not brittle, but does not sound flat. HF detail is enhanced but I have not noticed any sibilance. Brass and cymbals are more prominent, but not overly so. I may have heard some ringing for a brief moment, but I can not rule out setup/arm/cartridge interaction, and will recheck mass and alignment.
I have read where some have loaded the 103D between 6-9k with good results. But at 10k I have a feeling that something is not quite right.
Any suggestions ?
Thanks,
Ross
Follow Ups:
47K it is !
Best, Ross
Do a little more searching here on VA regarding transformers' effect on impedance. Briefly, the voltage output of the MC cart is increased by the turns-ratio and the preamp input resistance (impedance) is stepped down by the SQUARE of the turns ratio.
As a long-term DL103D user, I've found that cart is happiest with a net 100-ohm loading. Considering the output level of the Denon I'd guess it might be happiest at the 20:1 setting. That implies that the preamp load should be set to 100 x 20^^2 = 100 x 400 = 40k ohms [as close as possible] to result in 100-ohm cartridge load. [With your ARC set to 100-ohms you were almost shorting out the Denon through the trafo and the sound must have been wacky and very low-level, as you note.]
This is a personal taste issue, but I found the combination of SUT and the DL103D never resulted in its highest level of performance. I tried several SUT's culminating in a very expensive Quicksilver and always went back to a solid-state headamp. Surprisingly, I got some of the best results with relatively inexpensive, solid-state, battery powered Marcoff PPA-1, then later with the MC stage inside my Pass Forte 2. I believe that's why Denon themselves built a headamp as their high-end option for the DL103-series back in the Golden Age. That may have been the 'DC-to-light' era but you gotta' admit, Denon had an ear! There's a Marcoff for sale now on AA [of which I have no affiliation whatsoever!] and you might like it, might not.
In any case, I found the performance of the DL103D is SLIGHTLY enhanced by soldering tiny, low-noise, 100-ohm loading resistors in the headshell and using the highest load setting in the (solid state) headamp. It seems to improve the electromechanical damping of the cartridge, it tracks perfectly, and tightens up the lows to low-mids; the effect is subtle but discernible. Search VA fie E-Z instructions, I've been repeating that same story for 10 years... Think about it- the cartridge is a tiny little electric motor/generator and a low-impedance load dampens the electromechnical resonance [talking about damping at or near resonance, only].
I think my comments do apply to the Denon, because I found almost the opposite prevails with my current Dynavector XX cart. It loves transformers and is somewhat insensitive to loading, but that's inextricably woven with performance issues of my whole system and aging ears, as are all cartridge matter -- matters of taste [only digital promises 'perfect sound forever' (...hahahah)]. Good luck.
With a 1:20 SUT the load that the 103D will see is 117.5 ohms. Thats close but the ideal load for the 103D is around 300 ohms. If you set the SUT for 1:10 the 103D will see a 470ohm load.Try both SUT settings and see which you prefer.
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
Edits: 02/23/17 02/23/17
Ed's a Denon go-to guy- thanks! I did find with the DL103D (original Denon factory-issue circa 1984) that 100 ohms was a good load but the difference between 100 and 300 he recommends is probably nil, in the real world... I suspect the OP needs the 20:1 for the ARC.
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