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Denon Dl-103r is it for real?

I removed my Dynavector XV-1s (long story about the outcome of the sale) to sell to make $$$ for an amp upgrade and bought a new Denon 103r. I'm very surprised at the level of quality sound this low cost cart. lays out in my system. I almost forget how good the Dynavector was!
Anyone else experiance this in their system. Maybe it's my equipment and room but it is just damm good for the money!
gandme

Showing 2 responses by tobes

tobes's avatar
tobes
436 posts
 
The 103R is a very good cartridge, I've listened to it after some highly praised cartridges and it always surprises. However, if you do the back and forth comparisons it sounds somewhat colored and has limitations in focus, fine detail, resolution of space etc which can lead to dissatisfaction.
Things get interesting though if you exchange the plastic body for wood or aluminium and have the stock Al/conical tip replaced with the Soundsmith ruby/line contact. Suddenly the 103R becomes very competitive in the above areas and retains its rightness of tone, solidity and musical engagement/expression.
It still won't have the ultimate finesse but it sure brings the music into the room.
tobes's avatar
tobes
436 posts
 
04-21-12: Gandme
I searched for the Audio technica AT 33-EV and it is priced $200 more than the Denon 103R. how does that make it a direct competitor to the Denon?

Yes, and further to this, I listened to up-market line contact version of the AT33 - the PTG/II - and compared it to the SoundSmith retipped 103R (mounted on seperate wands with my Phantom tonearm). I much prefered the modded Denon. Of course the Denon in a modded body and with the Soundsmith retip is more costly that the AT33 PTG/II, so I guess this doesn't prove much.....except that at this level there is a scaling of performance for $ spent.
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