100 ohms is a fine place to start the loading on the phono stage for a Denon 103R.
You might do some experimenting with + or- about 20% from there, to see how you like it.
It sounds to me like the phono gain is a little bit low, based on your description of lacking dynamics. The 103R has an output of about 0.27mv, so it needs plenty of gain in the front end. Unless your linestage has about 25db of gain, then I think the available 58db setting on the Levinson is a bit too low for best performance with that cartridge. |
The higher gain is the MC board, and the lower gain is the MM board. The 38db or 58db relates to phono section gain only, and the linestage also has a gain figure(typically between 10db-20db). The phono gain and the linestage gain are added together to get total gain in the front end.
If you add in the step-up transformer, it will also be added into the front end gain. I've found that the total front end gain with the DL103R is good at about 80db total front end gain. My system has a Cotter step-up(20db), 46db phono gain, and 20db linestage gain, for a total front end gain of 86db. This worked out very well for me when I was using the DL103R in my system.
Remember, that when you use a step up transformer, you load the cartridge AT THE TRANSFORMER at half the normal amount(40-50 ohms) instead of the 100 ohms. You then use the normal 47k loading at the phono section input. The Cotter is difficult to adjust loading on(soldering jumpers), so I hope that the one you have is the "Type S" version of the Cotter Mk2 tranny. |
It may be noted that the early Levinson phono stages were designed by John Curl, and are still sought after by audiophiles, even after 20 years have gone by since they were made. I haven't listened to any of the late model Levinson phono stages, so I can't comment on them.
The DL103R is an excellent cartridge for the money, as long as it is on the right arm(of sufficient mass, rigidity, bearing quality). In the view of many people, this cartridge is superior to many cartridges that cost much more. I've personally heard it embarrass many cartridges that cost over $1k, but this should not be construed to assume that it is a contender for the world's best cartridge, because it is not, and at $250 it's not intended to be. But, it is a great sound for the money, and is well worth the cost. There is a certain "completeness" and "wholeness" to the sound of the 103R that is very compelling. It has a character of sound that IMO is very reminiscent of the Shelter and Koetsu cartridges. I've heard it referred to as a "baby Koetsu" and that is not far off the mark. |
If your MM board has 38db gain, even the addition of your Cotter probably will not get you quite enough gain for the DL103R. But it might be close to enough, if your linestage section has 20db or more gain.
Regarding the phono cartridge re-think, that would probably be more practical, but we'd have to know what arm and table you are using, and your budget, to make any recommendations.
A Music Maker works well in a lower mass tonearm, such as a Hadcock. It may not do quite as well in a heavier arm. |
Fernando, when using a step-up transformer, the output of the transformer is designed to be plugged into the active phono section with a 47k ohm loading(the Levinson phono input should be loaded at 47k ohms).
The actual cartridge loading then is to be set at the transformer inputs, by way of a switch, or plugging in resistors, or whatever method your unit uses for loading.
Loading a cartridge at the transformer requires you to use about 1/2 the normal specified loading impedance, due to the ratio of the transformer windings.
When used with a transformer, the DL103R likes a load between 30 ohms and 40 ohms, but you can try some loadings a bit outside that range if you want, to suit personal taste. I use 40 ohms on my Cotter transformer with a DL103R.
The characteristics of using a transformer as a step-up device define how the input and output loading is done, so you must use a load of 47k ohm on the Levinson phono input, and between 30 ohms and 40 ohms(approximately) on the transformer input loading. If you deviate much from this formula, you will be affecting the sonic performance of the cartridge, and the way it should be loaded for best sound and internal damping characteristics of the cartridge motor.
While I understand Raul's point about transformers, I also have used many myself, and find that good ones can sound excellent as part of the analog chain. If you already have this unit and can put it to good use, it will serve to save you some money and give additional flexibility to which cartridges you can choose for your system. |
Johnnantais, I'm happy that you have had the opportunity to try out the DL103 cartridge, and that you liked it.
I also liked it, but when I tried the DL103R, it sounded much better(to my ears, in my system). I think it is well worth the extra money spent.
I bet it sounds great on your various Lenco projects!
One day, I promise you that I will try a Grado woody on a Hadcock, just because you recommended it. |
Jean, when using that DL103 on the Rega tonearm, you simply must try my DIY HiFi mod with the 7/16 ounce bullet shaped fishing weights on the ends of the bearing axle nuts. You can just Blu-Tack them on for testing purposes, if you want.
You'll really love the difference in dynamics and impact that it makes, when the lateral effective mass of the Rega arm gets up into the preferred mass range for the DL103. I originally designed the HiFi mod when using a DL103 and DL103R, and believe me it makes a helluva difference for the better. I think you'll flip at how much improvement a couple of well-placed weights can make.
I've had mine on my arm for over 2 years now, and at least 50 others with OL or Rega arms are using this mod, and I have NEVER had a single complaint about it. However, I have gotten many emails with over-the-top raves about how they never believed that it would make so much difference.
I strongly suggest trying it, because you are not really hearing what that cartridge can do yet. It only costs pennies to do, and is done in 2 minutes.
This is a "for real" improvement of pretty large magnitude. If you use the Blu-Tack, you can easily remove the weights if you want to use a high compliance cartridge on the arm. The lateral effective mass with the HiFi mod installed is too much for high compliance cartridges and causes mismatch, but with low compliance cartridges like a DL103, it is a match made in heaven.
See the photo of my analog rig here, with the HiFi mod installed on my OL Silver tonearm. The HiFi mod is the pair of bullet-shaped things sticking out on each side of the bearing housing.
[url]http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1039227977.jpg[/url]
Notice the DL103 mounted on the tonearm.
Let me know how you like it. |
Fernando, I'm glad I was able to help you out.
I'd really love to share that bottle of Mezcal with you!
The best Mezcal I ever had was at a beach near Puerta Vallarta called Las Animus(not sure of the spelling), where the local people were selling home-made Mezcal bottled in old Coke bottles and corked! Truly spectacular, but the border agents took the ones from me that I tried to bring back.
Regarding the HiFi mod, I don't sell them anymore, but you can make one from the instructions that I provided in the original thread on this subject here:http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1032024188&read&keyw&zzstrange=tonearm=tweak
It is simple and quick to do, and works very well with low compliance cartridges when using them on a Rega tonearm.
Basically, you take a pair of bullet shaped fishing weights which weigh about 12 grams each, and drill a small depth into the big end, so that they fit over the bearing axle nuts. Then you can Blu-Tack them(or other temporary fixing) to the bearing axle nuts, and you are done and ready to play. A hot-link to the photo of a completed installation is in my previous post. Cost is about one dollar.
If you have specific questions, you can email me. |
