Denon DL-103 retipped with micro ridge stylus on boron cantilever & denuded body
As a card-carrying Denon DL-103 fan, I keep returning to this classic LOMC cartridge. After trying different cartridges, no other cart was capable of giving me that unique fiery sound as the good old DL-103.
However, my friend Robert (owner of the https://www.thebrokenrecord.net/ site) recommended I get one of my DL-103 retipped with a more modern stylus. I was very skeptical, because I've tried in the past to purchase retipped DL-103 cartridge (the original conical stylus replaced with the nude elliptical), and it only made the cart sound much worse.
But because I trust Robert's advice, I decided to take the plunge and following Robert's suggestion, I contacted Andy Kim of the needle clinic (http://www.phonocartridgeretipping.com/).
Andy was very prompt, kind, and approachable. He offered me some options and I went with the top of the line mod: micro ridge stylus on boron cantilever & denuded body.
Turnaround time was swift, and pretty soon I had the rejuvenated, retipped and denuded DL-103 in my hands. Couldn't wait to install it and do the listening tests.
The first thing I've noticed upon spinning the first record using the micro ridge stylus was that the mods to the cart did not in any way affect the familiar tonal characteristics of the trusty old DL-103 (previous mods with the nude elliptical did affect the overall character of sound).
Secondly, the sound quality notably improved! There are now so many new details, and the delivery seems more effortless. Any traces of sibilance (which are present with my standard DL-103 carts) have disappeared.
I'm not sure if the dramatic improvements are due to a better stylus, or to a better cantilever, or to the denuded body, or to all three factors combined, but I'd say this mod had propelled my lowly DL-103 into the stratosphere. Such small overall investment for such spectacular improvements!
Andy's retipping services are highly recommended.
Your discussion is perfect timing for me. I just bought a new to me turntable for my Garage/Shop system. Thus an opportunity to get a Denon DL-103, and have it juiced up by VAS. I would go Boron, and either Microline, Shibata, or SAS tip. I’ll call Steve at VAS for advice. I would then move my existing Shure V15Vxmr body/Jico SAS/Boron to the Garage/Shop system .....................................
Where to get a good DL-103 body? Concerns? what experiences here, especially what to avoid! thanks, Elliott |
+1 for a mod'd DL103 👍 I had a standard DL 103 on my Audiomods Classic arm, which uses a rega arm tube, so it was not really compatible. MOD #1 - I epoxied the cartridge to a brass plate, which had a similar impact as adding the alumunum shell to a nuded DL 103 - but for only $12.50
MOD #2 - I purchased a DL103 from Soundsmith which had their ruby camtilever with a Optimized Contour Mico-line stylus. I then applied the same brass plate mod from above to this cartridge also
One thing to add
Seems you are either in the DL103 camp OR NOT !
Regards - Steve
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Steve, you do realize I am sure that by adding a brass plate to a DL103 you are surely increasing its weight by at least several grams, although we are not told the physical dimensions of the plate. Since that mass is added right over the stylus tip, it adds in a linear fashion to effective mass. Therefore, it is possible that at least a large fraction of the improvements that you hear is due to the increased effective mass, which might mate well with the inherent low compliance of the DL103. So your experience corroborates that of others who find the DL103 sounds best in very high mass tonearms. I think there are many ways in which one can improve the performance of many other mediocre cartridges, like the DL103. However, a sort of cult following has developed around this particular unit. I have no doubt that these exotic retips and rebodying of the cartridge do have a positive effect. |
