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Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Denon DL-S1 Phono Cartridge by foomh@simedarby.com

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REVIEW: Denon DL-S1 Phono Cartridge

210.195.58.170


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Model: DL-S1
Category: Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price: $940
Description: LOMC
Manufacturer URL: Denon

Review by foomh@simedarby.com on April 30, 2012 at 01:53:54
IP Address: 210.195.58.170
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for the DL-S1


Its been a long time since I added a review in this forum, but my recent acquisition of the Denon DL-S1 has prompted me to share my experience with this top of the Denon line cartridge. Previously I had reviewed the DL-304 here and its been 3 years since, all the while enjoying all that the 304 offered. Now 3 years older and wanting to have the best that Denon can produce I took the plunge and ordered from 2Juki, a Hong Kong based seller who I would commnend for the speedy service.
Firstly I would share that in the 3 years intervening period I had added the Denon top of the line step up transformer the AU-S1 to my set up. The transformer feeds into my EAR 834p mm input and then to another set of transformer based TVCs from Promitheus. The DL-S1 and the Au-S1 are built for each other,so readers here will not find me discussing impedence matching and all the related issues of different sounds. I also have the Technics SL1000 with the famous EPA100 arm which has variable compliance settings for almost any cartridge so again no issues about with arm matching. I also bought a Yamamoto ebony headshell to mate with the DL-S1. So all in all, my attempt to maximise the SQ of my TT set up.
This review is also a direct comparison to my well run in 304 so potential buyers will also get a feel of which is best for their budget. Well here goes:
Within the first few sides, the S1 never exhibited the shrillness of the 304 when it was run in, instead it was pretty calm sounding. Already a good sign. After a few more hours, it was very clear why the price is a 2 fold over the 304, voices were more textured and revealed the specific articulations that each singer was trying to achieve through their voicing. Linda Ronstadt's Simple Dreams album came alive with the bass drums and guitars sounding like the band came to my house. Linda's voice never sound as livelike as when played with the S1! The vocal pyrotechnics of the Manhattan Transfer are now played with each singer sounding quite distinct and yet harmonically together. This is clearly the album to differentiate the S1 from the 304. Thru the 304, the Manhattan Transfer can sound slightly shouty and at times slightly over bearing, with the S1, all was beautiful. On a live track, the audience clapping now took on much more natural livelike tones as opposed to the slightly cardboardy sound from the 304.
Speed was very good but the 304 was equal in this respect. But in terms of dynamics there is no comparison, the S1 is in another dimension and jazz instrumentals was particularly enjoyable. Coupled with the better textures mentioned earlier reflected in voices, the sax from Sonny Rollins and Coltrane were definitely brassier, and very much more tuneful!
Denon certainly has a great cartridge in the S1, and one that I believe justify its asking price compared to the 304. I cannot comment on other cartridges and their value for money proposition, no doubt many in this forum will propose others but I am very happy with the Denon sound and having tried Ortofon and Benz Micro previously, will stay with Denon till my end of days.
For those who may not wish to spend the USD1000 price of the S1, the 304 is 80% of the performance for about 50% of the price of the S1. If you have a top notch TT and matching phonostage/SUT, I think the DL-S1 is the way to go. Of course I have read of people who are completely happy to use the S1 in the Technics SL1200( a very good TT but not the ultimate Technics) and got good results.
Overall then I am delighted with both the 304 and the S1, my problem is what to do with my 103r which now sound rather ragged and lacking detail in comparison.


Product Weakness: Lowish output of 0.15mv
Product Strengths: Excellent details and natural voicing


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Mcintosh MC402
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Promitheus Signature TVC
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Technics SL1000, Marantz SA11S1
Speakers: Magneplanar 3.6
Cables/Interconnects: Acoustic Zen silver reference, Satori
Music Used (Genre/Selections): jazz, vocals
Room Size (LxWxH): 35 x 20 x 12
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Powerware regenerator
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Denon DL-S1 Phono Cartridge - foomh@simedarby.com 01:53:54 04/30/12 ( 9)