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Question on Denon DL-103 retipping options and preferences

I have been looking at getting a Denon DL-103 retipped and I have narrowed it down to getting it done by Steve at VAS or by Andy at Needle Clinic. 

Both companies approach to the DL-103 is very different and I am curious if anyone has heard cartridges from each or what you think that may be better for amazing sounding rock.

Steve recommends a wood housing and then will do a Boron/MR retipping, where Andy will modify the plastic housing on the DL-103 to convert it's enclosed outer body to a half nude body, lightening it up which he says will make it track better.  His conversion will be a micro ridge nude stylus (sapphire/boron cantilever) 

So as stated very different approaches, same cost for the most part, I have ruled Soundsmith out just based on time, I know Andy turns around in a day, but have read a lot about both so I figured I would ask the question to see where people lean more often.  I do already have an ebony housing, just want to get a cartridge that punches way above its weight.

If there is something I should look at outside the DL-103 I would be open to hear about it.

Just for the record this cartridge will be going on a SOTA Sapphire VI with an Audiomods series 6 tonearm and I have a McIntosh MP100 going to a tube rolled Schiit Freya+ driving by two Odyssey Kismet monoblocks and Martin Logan speakers.  
128x128justinrphillips

Showing 2 responses by bjw54

bjw54
25 posts
 
I have had retipping done by Any Kim on 2 103R’s. One with a Sapphire cantilever and the other a Boron. Both with Micro Ridge stylus. Any is
a great guy to work with and his work is as good as it gets. The reason
I first used him was because it took Peter from Soundsmith almost a year
to return my cartridge for a retipp and repair! Andy’s turn around time was
great both times. If you are looking for a cartridge that compares to some
 mega $ brands, send it to Paradox  for a Pulse Guard mod. I have the Pulse Guard R and nothing can touch it under $2500. Andy works very closely with
Parodox—both Based in California.


bjw54
25 posts
 
hdm , As he said he has the cartridge already-so he doesn’t have to shell out
the cash for a new one. I have had  a lot of audio equipment modified over over the years. Most of it was purchased used long before the mods were done.
The way I look at It I got plenty of use out of the original equipment before the
mods-so they didn’t owe me anything. In every case the modifications elevated
the sound quality to what a new unit costing way beyond the total of the unit
and the modification cost. I believe this will be the case with the 103.
Keep in mind that I had 103r’s done and not the 103. Justin’s results my vary.


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