Lots of comments and comparisons. Just do a search.
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- 11 posts total
There is some interesting info on 103/103R cartridges (and other Denons) in this Vinyl Asylum post/thread from a long time user: http://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=vinyl&n=888743&highlight=213cobra&search_url=%2Fcgi%2Fsearch.mpl%3Fforum%3Dtubes%26searchtext%3Daric%2Baudio |
Don't know about stone, weight might be an issue. The 103 in an aluminium body will weigh around 14g already, wood around 11-12g (the stock cartridge is 8.5g). FWIW, I found the aluminium Midas body to sound 'faster', cleaner and more neutral than either ebony or Panzerholtz wood bodies. But some will/do prefer the wood. I feel obliged to add that, while I'm a big fan of the Soundsmith retipped 103R in the Al body, it falls short of more expensive MC carts in several areas. For example, in comparison to my Ortofon Jubilee - It doesn't have the finesse and delicacy nor will it reproduce soundspace and ambiance with the same resolve. The Jubilee has more punch and weight at the low end. The Jubilee has more ease in climaxes (a real strength of the Ortofon) and a greater dynamic range overall. I should also note that when I had the Ortofon A90 in my system it handily outclassed the Jubilee - especially in clarity and transparency. That said, the SS 103R does enough to be mostly satisfying in the objective sense and has a knack of letting me concentrate on the music and and how its played - a great attribute - it gets something very right in this respect. I also think the SS 103R's highs are a bit more truthful than the Jubilee - not perhaps as refined, but without the 'silky' coloration of the Jubilee (the A90 didn't have this). |
- 11 posts total