Oakiris, Audiocubes is the only one that I know of with the DL103R right now. It is really worth the extra money over the regular DL103. I found the regular DL103 to be a bit coarse in the top end, and didn't track as well as the DL103R. The DL103R was very smooth in the top end, tracked well, and sounded super for the money. It's a shockingly good with the OL Silver and the HiFi mod. Nobody would ever think it was an under $300 cartridge from the sound of it.
$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path
I am putting together an analog system, starting with the cartridge. I like a well-balanced sound with a slightly lush midrange and excellent extension at the frequency extremes. The cartridge should be a reasonably good tracker. Here are my choices:
1. Dynavector Karat 17D MkII
2. Shelter 501
3. Sumiko Black Bird
4. Grado Statement Master
5. Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood
Which one comes closest to my wish list? Which one would you choose?
Here are the upgrade cartridges to the above list, one of which would be purchased later:
1. Shelter 901
2. Benz Micro L2
3. Grado Statement Reference
4. Koetsu Black
Which one comes closest to my wish list? Which one would you choose?
Now, which turntable/tonearm combination (for new equipment up to $4,500) would you choose to handle a cartridge from the first group and the upgrade cartridge from the second group?
Any help you can provide is greatly welcomed. Thanks!
- ...
- 335 posts total
- 335 posts total