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Help with cartridge

With the world turned off, I finally got my Michell Gyrodec SE going. It has some model of a Rega arm, and a cartridge I cannot identify. Not sure how to post photos here?
Due to several cross country moves, the stylus is bent. I do know it is a low output moving coil. I need to either replace the cartridge or fix the stylus if possible. It is tan with a red line going from the head to the slight V down by the stylus.  Any suggestions would help as I feel I have a jigsaw puzzle without the lid right now.

The rest of the system is all tubes including the Wright phono stage, with a step up unit.

safarisound

Showing 5 responses by billwojo

billwojo
397 posts
 
Could also be a DL-103S as the DL-103D looks the same. You will need to remove the cart and look at the model number on top.
Not sure where you are located but I would check with VAS in Cliffwood, NJ for a price on getting it repaired. I just had two DL-103 carts upgraded by him and it was about 50% of a replacement cartridge cost.
Chakster, why all the hatred for the Denon DL-103 series of carts? They have a huge following and for good reason. I don't know of any other cartridge that dates back to 1962 and is still popular. They have a really good generator and with modest cost can be turned into a cartridge that can satisfy even the most discriminating user. Maybe the warm musical sound is not for you and you like the clinical sound of other cartridges but that is not my or a lot of other users cup of tea.

BillWojo
billwojo
397 posts
 
I just had my DL-103S serviced by VAS, he installed a new fine elliptical stylus on the original cantilever.
I wonder why the DL-103S was so costly compared to the base line DL-103. I have seen Denon describe the DL-103S as having a "special elliptical" diamond. Could it have been some sort of line contact I wonder? It may have been a way to get around some patent as they were monitored closely back than.
Billwojo
billwojo
397 posts
 
Soundsmith may be great but has a very long turn around time. VAS turned around two carts for me in two weeks. He also has a very good reputation as well and is recommended in many threads.

https://vasnyinc.com/repair-service/
Billwojo


billwojo
397 posts
 
Glad it's working out for you and you have it on a cool deck as well. Actually your whole vinyl setup is pretty nice. Hope you still have all your records as well.
BillWojo
billwojo
397 posts
 
Chakster is a Denon hater, every chance he gets he puts the DL-103 and it's variants down.
If you go on the internet and check around there is a whole lotta love for it from many folks out there.
My favorite reports are from the folks that started with a DL-103 and moved up the chain to carts costing several thousand dollars. When the mega cart goes in for service and they put that old DL-103 back in service to tide them over they are very surprised.To a T they all say that the old Denon, while not the last word on detail is so more musical and how they missed that.
I've seen a few very expensive systems that the owner could have anything he wanted running DL-103 carts.
The nice thing is that they are cheap and broken ones very cheap. You can pick one up and for far less that an expensive cart would cost have a very fine cart. Plenty of mods from different body's, cantilever material and stylus shapes to play with. And you don't have to spend a big wad of cash to do it all in one shot, makes it budget friendly.
Add a nice SUT (they like a SUT) with your MM phono stage and your set.

BillWojo
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