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Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Uwe's Wood Body/Denon 103/103R Ebony Wood Body Phono Cartridge by blake

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REVIEW: Uwe's Wood Body/Denon 103/103R Ebony Wood Body Phono Cartridge

74.15.78.182


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Model: Ebony Wood Body
Category: Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price: $Contact Inmate Uwe
Description: Custom Wood Body for Denon 103/103R
Manufacturer URL: Not Available

Review by blake on October 12, 2007 at 19:08:11
IP Address: 74.15.78.182
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for the Ebony Wood Body


There has been some interest in Uwe's wood bodies from various inmates without a formal review for a while, so I figured I'd take a run at it. I've been using the Ebony version with my 103R for 3-4 weeks now on a Michell Gyro/Premier FT-3 combo through an Aqvox phono stage-the rest of my equipment is listed in inmate's systems for those that are interested.

After contacting Uwe and looking at the weight of the bodies offered by him, I determined that the Ebony would probably be the best match, particularly in light of the fact that I'd probably be getting a little extra mass/weight by going with new stainless mounting screws (which are required with Uwe's bodies) as opposed to the lighter aluminum hardware supplied with the Denon cartridges. The Panzer, I felt, might possibly be just a bit too much for my tonearm, which has the optional heavier counterweight on it to allow cartridges up to 14 grams to be mounted.

First of all, let me state that Uwe's bodies are no schlocky, cheesy, look like DIY affairs. They are precision made and beautifully finished (at least mine is) and your Denon plunked into one will look very nice. On top of that, they are drilled for very easy mounting-no nuts required, but you will have to locate two 2.5 mm (thread size) screws between 10 and 14 mm in length depending on your headshell. I went with 10 mm and it worked like a charm. The squarish, similar nature of Uwe's bodies to the standard Denon bodies allows for easy alignment (unlike a roundish body which I saw on E-Bay-a true alignment nightmare). Be aware, though, that a Uwe'd Denon will not allow use of the plastic stylus protector that comes with the Denons as his wood bodies are just a touch wider.

On the sound. Thomas Schick has described Uwe's bodies as "transforming" the sound of the 103/103R and although this may sound like hyperbole, I would, at least in my system, have to agree. I have purposely not stated the price in the review here. These are Uwe's items to sell and the price he charged me and other inmates at this stage for these bodies I would put in the bargain category, at least in terms of what it does to the cartridge. He could raise the price considerably, and I would still consider it to be a bargain. There are, apparently 3 man hours required per body, as well as the necessary equipment and skill. As I pointed out to Uwe when I thanked him for his work, it was clear to me that this was a labor of love and not a commercial endeavor for him.

Quite simply, everything the Denons do well in the plastic body, they do much better in the Ebony body that I'm using. There is a dramatically increased (I really would not have thought it possible) sense of, for lack of a better word, solidity in the overall presentation. This simply goes from top to bottom. Better defined bass, a more fleshed out and articulate midrange (with better detail and transparency) and a cleaner top end. It's kind of like the cartridge has been put on steroids, but not in any artificial way. This is a very "musical" upgrade. If it makes any sense, I would say that the wood body makes huge gains in what I would describe as the cartridge being in much more control of the groove and the info in the groove. The plastic bodied Denon 103R, when compared to one slotted into the Ebony body, just seems to be more "thrown around" by the groove/groove info relative to one in Uwe's wood body. There is a pretty big increase in the sense that the wood bodied cartridge is in control and giving you much more info with much less distortion. It was surprising to me and certainly not subtle. I'd put it in the league of a very rewarding component upgrade as opposed to a tweak, at least in my system. Of course, YMMV, but at the price Uwe charged me, you don't have much to lose.

Apart from Uwe (who along with me now cannot be considered to be objective!!), others using the wood bodies have said that they have vaulted the Denon into Shelter 901, Koetsu Rosewood and Myabi territory. I can't really comment on that as I have no experience with those cartridges, but for someone currently having a 103/103R, if Uwe is still providing these, it is, in my opinion a real no brainer. Thanks Uwe!!!!!

The one weakness and criticism (sorry Uwe!): for night time cueing the lack of a stylus line painted onto the front of the body (particularly with the ultra black ebony body) makes for a bit of a nerve wracking experience for 48 year old geezers like me trying to cue into the lead in grooves. I just cue a little further in to be safe rather than sorry! In reality, though, it's a small price to pay for a very big increase in performance.


Product Weakness: As above
Product Strengths: As above


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: See inmates systems
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): See inmates systems
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Michell Gyro/FT-3/Aqvox Phono Pre.
Speakers: See inmates systems
Cables/Interconnects: See inmates systems
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Various Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Uwe's Wood Body/Denon 103/103R Ebony Wood Body Phono Cartridge - blake 19:08:11 10/12/07 ( 9)