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

Hi there!

I’m being in the market over a month for a new cartridge (AT95EN) for my Schiit Sol. I know there’s a ton of options out there like Nagaoka, Ortofon, Sumiko, just to name a few, I knew that MC are more expensive than MM cartridges (I know there’s exceptions) but I found Denon 103R with great reviews and a "affordable" price ($300 more or less) and that’s when I started doing my research about MC cartridges, some people were talking about you "need to make sure your tonearm is compatible with the MC cartridge that you want" they talk about tonearm mass and bunch of other stuff. My question is, How do I know my tonearm is compatible with Denon dl-103r cartridge?! I checked schiit sol manual and does not have any technical information about tonearm weight/mass. I will be using schiit mani preamp.

Thank you ahead for your time!
Edwin
erivera1990
erivera1990 OP
52 posts
 

@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?

tablejockey
3,892 posts
 

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. 

 

 

smb1978
12 posts
 

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 

erivera1990 OP
52 posts
 

@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 

smb1978
12 posts
 

@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

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