Posted 18 October 2009 - 10:16 PM
So crazy story. Remember a year(s) back when my DL-103 went out? Well to refresh your memory the left channel just went dead and all sorts of craziness started coming out of the right channel. So after testing a few different records and getting the same result, I unscrewed the headshell, put on the stylus guard, and put it in a drawer.
Well last week I was about to order a new DL-103, finally, but on a weird hunch I grabbed the old one and hooked it up. Of course the alignment was still spot on because detachable headshells are the shit, and any sonic degradation they may cause is totally worth it for their utility. And the cartridge works fine! And it absolutely ROCKS with the Quad 99 Pre's phono. I mean, really really sounds great. Previously in my Bugle I had it loaded at 100 ohms. Well the 99's MC stage loads at 10 ohms, and has adjustable sensitivity, which I loaded at 300uF to match up with the DL-103. Bam! I mean its just perfect. I don't even notice what I came to accept as the DL-103's inherent slightly hot upper midrange coloration. The highs are bright but smooth, midrange is present but not accentuated, and the bass is thumping and awesome.
The sound is also noticeably better with the record stabilizing ring and center record weight in place. So its been a fun week for me, rediscovering all my records.
It's Monday / slither down the greasy pipe / so far, so good, no one saw you / hobble over any freeway / you will be like your dreams tonight
I'll just lurk.
