Denon 103r and the SpinStage transimpedance phono preamp

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 

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

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.

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.

I too tried the 103R with the Piccolo Zero current gain stage, and it worked quite well, contrary to expectations.