By the time you spend questionanle dollars on retipping or rebuilding a DL103R (arguably the best would be Soundsmith for a complete makeover with a Boron cant and line contact stylus), you would be better off with an AT OC9XML. The 103R is older than my children and isn’t up to the level of what the OC9 can deliver.
If the price of the OC9XML is above your budget, the OC9XEL will still beat a 103R but with a slightly sweeter treble than the OC9XML or 103R and much more details and musicality than the 103R.
The Soundsmith ruby cantilever with a line contact stylus is a significant improvement over a stock 103R. That said, you’re stuck with a 103R at the same price as a superior AT OC9XEL that has zero hours on the suspension.
If the price of the OC9XML is above your budget, the OC9XEL will still beat a 103R but with a slightly sweeter treble than the OC9XML or 103R and much more details and musicality than the 103R.
The Soundsmith ruby cantilever with a line contact stylus is a significant improvement over a stock 103R. That said, you’re stuck with a 103R at the same price as a superior AT OC9XEL that has zero hours on the suspension.