02-07-11: PodolawWhy not avail yourself of Japan's economy of scale in close-tolerance manufacturing?
What would your recommendation at $750-1k ?
Audio Technica OC9 iii, $549
Audio Technica AT33EV $499
Denon DL-S1, $949
Denon DL-304, $599
I have heard really good things about the Denon DL-S1.
Another alternative: see if Zu Audio still has their nuded, aluminum-encased Z-103 versions of the Denon DL-103. They vary in price depending on how well they spec out, but all are (were?) in your price range. The heavier metal casing adds enough mass to the cartridge to make it a good compliance match for most arms. Between eliminating the stock cartridge's plastic body resonances and improving mass matching with a heavier and extremely rigid housing, it should be a significant improvement over your stock DL-103 that you are replacing.