MC cartridge upgrade for a Schiit Sol (Denon dl-103r) help!

Hi erivera1990,

I’m responding a little late to your post, but I purchased a DENON DL-103R recently and use it with my Schiit Mani (at a gain of 59dB).

Interestingly, although it has a recommended load impedance of 100 ohms or higher for this low-output moving coil cartridge, the data sheet that came with my DL-103R shows a load impedance of 47K ohms - highlighting a 0dB flat line curve from 1K to 20K Hz (see attached).

https://imgbb.com/gJYDRXC

It also shows the left channel output at 0.31mV and the right channel output at 0.30mV, so apparently each cartridge has its own nuances, although the general/average output is deemed to be 0.25mV.

I called DENON just to confirm if that information was correct, and was told it is. Just to make sure, I experimented with load resistive plugs at 100 ohms and 200 ohms verses the 47K ohms that was tested on the data sheet provided with my cartridge. And, sure enough, the cartridge sounded much better, much more "alive" (it had a wider dynamic range and sound stage) at 47K ohms.

To make the soundstage even better, I purchased a Sbooster BOTW AC16VAC Power Supply.

By the way, Mike Moffat, from Schiit Audio, also says he uses the DL 103R (and the DL 110) with his Schiit Mani for daily spinnin’: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-mani.737555/page-4 (Post #58 of 143, page 4)

So the DENON DL-103R should work fine with your Schiit Mani PROVIDED that your tonearm has a mid to high effective mass (mine is 20.61 with a 9.75-gram headshell).

Another interesting thing is that I recently saw a YouTube video comparison between the DL-103R and the almost $200 more AT33SA, via a blind test. To my surprise, the DL-103R had a more dynamic soundstage, even though by all measures/specs "on paper" (including having a better stylus), the AT33SA should have been the clear winner.

That goes to show that just because a cartridge has a better stylus doesn't mean it will be a "better sounding" cartridge. Obviously, a lot more factors come into play such as its construction and materials used.   

Kind Regards,

Shaun

@smb1978 I don’t know why but I just noticed your notification, thank you so much for your explanation, right now I’m putting together a second stereo system, and I was looking into schiit mani 2 with a MC cartridge.

Hi @erivera1990,

I have since upgraded to the Schiit Mani 2. It is much better than the Mani 1. I re-recorded a few records with the same cartridge and headshell that I used with the Mani 1—just to see if there was any difference. There was a definite improvement in the quality of sound, particularly the soundstage (much wider) and noise level (way quieter) as the music played. Additional improvements with this model include increased gain settings, better S/N ratio and THD specs, more impedance and capacitance loading options, and low-pass filter switches.

I currently have the ART9XA on a Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable I recently bought, and it sounds great with the Mani 2. Pioneer actually made a few improvements on the PLX-1000 (as of 2022). This includes a heavier turntable weight (from 28.9lbs to 32lbs), better wow flutter (from 0.1% to 0.01% or less), and a thicker rubber turntable sheet/mat. The effective tonearm mass is 12g. I plan on making some additional improvements by damping the tonearm. But, overall, I’m pleased with what I hear out of this setup.

Regards,

Shaun

@smb1978 I bet it sounds beautiful! Specifically with such a cartridge! I putting together a technics mk2 (one of those deals I couldn’t let pass) and as it right now I’m debating between the mani 2 or Moon 110lp V2 preamp, more expensive compared to mani 2 but also it seems that has more options. Do you have a YouTube channel that I could appreciate your setup?

For the level of gear  you have,  consider spending $400 for a Soundsmith  Otello moving iron cart.

It will be compatible with your existing phonostage and give you a taste of what nicer cartridges can do- MM or MC.

I wouldn't spend much on a cart  until  you drop considerably more money on a phonostage and everything else in your setup.

https://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/fixed-coil/otello

I keep one as a backup  for my $2K LOMC. 

Hi @erivera1990,

The Moon 110lp V2 preamp has some pretty impressive specs.  I wonder how it compares to the Mani 2 in listening tests.  No I don't have a YouTube channel to share my vinyl.  I was tempted to create one but see that YouTube uploads - particularly the sound quality of audio - get seriously degraded via its compression.  All the effort I would put into creating a video upload with my vinyl would, to me, be wasted by the less-than-optimum audio quality that comes out of it.  I know that Tidal has the best audio quality, but I believe that's only for artists (or creators of songs) to upload - not so much for end-user consumers who want to share their vinyl.  I might be wrong on that, but that's my understanding of that platform.  But if you want to hear a sample, here is a link to an uncompressed .wav file to one of the songs I recorded: https://we.tl/t-eDzMsOdKHn 

@smb1978 

It sounds amazing!!! I bought the Mani 2, most likely I will be selling my Schiit Sol turntable. I'm planning to upgrade... Meanwhile I have a Technics MK2 and I will test it with a Denon 103. I will let you know how it sounds! 

Cheers!

Edwin Rivera 

@erivera1990

Thanks. I think you’re going to love the Mani 2, especially with your Technics MK2. Denon 103s are great cartridges. I had the Denon 103R, but the cantilever broke off when I was dusting a previous turntable it was on. I didn’t have the protector over the cartridge, because I was about to play a few albums. Big mistake. I still have it here and will be getting it retipped soon by Joseph Long after the holidays. The Christmas holiday always puts a hole in one’s pocket the size of Grand Canyon, lol (especially with having 30+ nieces/nephews, great nieces/great nephews).

Keep me updated on how everything turns out and how it sounds.

Take care, and happy holidays to you and your loved ones.

Shaun