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Denon 103r and the SpinStage transimpedance phono preamp

I have a stable of cartridges all mounted up and ready to go for when I feel like changing up the sound a little. Most of them are more modest than my regular cartridge. My "daily-driver" is a Ortofon Synergy G SPU cartridge, which I run through a Zesto Andros ll phono preamp.  I like the combo a lot. But tonight I mounted up the Denon 103r, and hooked it up to a $250 SpinStage phono preamp. 

 

I was really surprised to find how thoroughly engaging the sound was. It was descriptive and rich at the same time. I would have no problem with this combo being in daily use. I wondered if it was the Denon's good match for the transimpedance-style phono preamp that was making me so happy. 

 

I am well aware that the amount of money spent, in almost all endeavors,  does not guaranty satisfaction. But this combination kind of reset my thinking about  the art of phonography. Does anyone else have inexpensive cartridge/phono preamp combos that light them up?

 

David

dtorc
theophile's avatar
theophile
410 posts
 

Why wonder? Use the Spinstage with the SPU and tell us your findings.

dtorc OP
112 posts
 

Thank you, @lewn. It is weird that I had such a positive response to a combination that theoretically should not work well together. I tried it again this morning, and found the same thing. I have used it with the SPU - I got it as a substitute when I had to send the Zesto back for maintenance. And while it served me well, I was pleased to have the Zesto back. The SPU/Spinstage was a little gray, and lifeless in comparison to the SPU/Zesto.

 

The Denon/Spinstage combination did something else - it was lively and engaging, and it surprised me. I enjoyed it more than I do the Denon/Zesto combination. Maybe it's just a quirk of my ear/brain. Anyway, I wondered if others had other combos that surprised them.

 

David 

lewm
14,701 posts
 

A lot depends upon what is the actual input impedance of the phono; it’s not zero.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,866 posts
 

The Denon 103 cartridges have been formidable contenders for "best sound" for around fifty years when American audiophiles discovered then. My local audio store was using the 103’s as their "go to" cartridges in 1976. Mounted on TOTL Denon DD turntables. Step up device was a clone of the John Curl Levinson JC-1 head amp. Wish I had one of those now! The clone - not the JC-1.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,866 posts
 

I was surprised at the sound quality of the 103 considering it has a spherical stylus with supposed limited tracing ability. List price in 1976 was $160. I have several 103’s, including the rare gold-body 50th Anniversary and the tan-body 103D with an elliptical stylus. On the Pioneer PLX 1000 I have the 103R into the Bellari SUT.

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