postjack

Yup, the design of the DL-103 is over 40 years old. Here is an MSNBC article from a few years ago about the cart.

any honey bunches of oats fans in the thread tonight? I like original the best, but cinnamon is also good. The vanilla kind is NOT good.

Its the most musically satisfying cart I've yet heard. Its also financially satisfying, which is a good thing on a cartridge, which by its nature has a limited lifespan and must be replaced. I'll probably be selling my Grado carts here soon, and I'm going to look into trying out a Bugle with the DL-103. According to the Bugle manual, it can indeed be set for a gain as high as 60dbs (surprisingly, this claim wasn't yet another DIYLIE ), which should be fine for the DL-103. In addition to the above carts, I've also owned: KAB/Stanton Groovemaster: dullest sound I've ever heard in my system. Sorry Kevin. KAB/Ortofon ProS30: A very fine cart. Highly recommmended for 1200 owners who don't want to mess with alignment. Neutral and fairly balanced from top to bottom, but with a slightly recessed midrange and a touch of brightness. Grado Sonata Statement: Probably a better cart then the Reference, with a little more room in the soundstage, less warm, more neutral, but still has that Grado sound. If I had to recommend either the Statement or the Reference, and the user had a phono that could handle either, I'd say go with the Statement. Another part of the appeal of the DL-103 is that its design hasn't changed I think since the 1960s. Something about old designs appeal to me in analog, as opposed to in digital where I prefer newer designs. Here's a blurb from a TNT Audio review: "You see, as opposed to 'modern' sanitised hifi components the DL-103 sounds powerful and enthusiastic. The midrange thrives on instrumental timbres that seem correct and that, simply said, are beautiful to hear. Drums are tight, dynamic, and explosive, and as such one full notch above what I'm used of more expensive cartridges like the MC25FL and the OC9. Brass, woodwinds and brass are breathy and natural. "

Sweet, sounds good. This would be good, because I'm trying to assemble a great sounding analog rig on the cheap, so I can go tell the people about it.

You dirty son of a bitch.

it is emotionally impossible for me not to.

ack, you DIY people always want others to go DIY. Just kidding, I love DIYers opinions. My only concern is the quality of the AU-300LC, reports on it are conflicting, and I'd need something to step up the signal, since isn't the Bugle MM only?

Well, I think technically the Sonata is a Moving Iron. I forgot to do prices: Grado Sonata Reference - $500 MSRP, can be had for slightly less. AT440MLa - A great deal at $95, and a cart I will continue to recommend. Denon DL-103 - An even better deal at $167 shipped from williamthakker in Germany. Well worth the upgrade if you have the cash and your phono can do MC. luvdunhill, I'll try to track down a DL-103D, but its currently out of production, and eBay appears dry. \ In the meantime I'll stock up on DL-103s when I get some extra cash. What I really want to do is try out some other phono stages with the DL-103. I'd like to try: Dynavector P-75 Jolida JD9 Denon AU-300LC -> Bugle Having said that, the PH-1 does perform admirably with all the carts I've thrown at it, but I know there is better out there.

Grado Sonata Reference VS. Audio-Technica AT440MLA VS. Denon DL-103 Its the comparison nobody asked for! Associated Equipment: Technics SL1200MK2 Grado PH-1 (on H gain for DL-103, L gain for AT440MLA and Sonata) Cambridge Audio 840A Stax SRD-7/Pro Adaptor Stax SR-007/Omega II Music used: Alan Parsons - I Robot Classic Records 200g Introduction Back when I started this hobby blah blah mikey fremer. The Rundown Highs Sonata: They're OK. Sometimes they are dull and wooly, sometimes the upper midrange must creep into the treble, because then it sounds bright, or maybe overly glarey. Could just be a tonearm mismatch. AT440MLa: The highs are this wundercarts only failing. Its just on the edge of bright. Not intolerably bright, just a little bright. DL-103: Maaaaybe a tad bright, but in a much less harsh way then the AT440MLa or the Sonata. But really the highs are quite detailed and lovely, at least to these ears. Mids Sonata: Wonderful. The Grado midrange is a unique and addictive thing. One either loves it, hates it, or thinks its ok. I think its nifty, but dare I say a bit colored, like its companion the RS-1. AT440MLa: Unoffensive but unexceptional. DL-103: Mmmmmmmmmmusical. Not quite as full as the Sonata midrange maybe, but it is more dynamic, and seems more true to the music Lows Sonata: Great bass, but not the last word in low low bass. Nice midbass impact AT440MLa: Unoffensive, pleasant enough, tight. DL-103: Reaches lower then the Sonata, is definitely fuller and has the best body. The most instantly delightful part of this cart. Tracking: Sonata: Despite Grado's reputation for poor tracking, the Sonata does just fine. However, it does do the Grado dance audibly if not visually at the start of every record, so therefore it wins Worst In Show in this category AT440MLa: Its known as the best budget tracker, period, and with good reason. In terms of tracking, the AT440MLa is pure win. DL-103: Is a spherical stylus, derp. Tracks like a champ. Soundstage: Sonata: The Sonata very much puts you in a Grado room, which is a small, intimate, warm place. I always picture the walls being pink for some reason. Pleasant enough sensation, but can feel artificial. This "wool" effect is alleviated somewhat in the LO version of the Sonata (Sonata Statement), but the Statement isn't included in this comparison. AT440MLa: Unoffensive, unexceptional. DL-103: Quite large and airy. Best of the bunch. User Friendliness: Sonata: Really quirky when it comes to VTF and alignment. A pain in the ass to setup. AT440MLa: Pretty simple to setup. DL-103: Easiest of the bunch by far due to the spherical stylus. Having said that, you really want to make sure you get it right, because you won't get as many audible cues (distortion) if it was setup wrong, which theoretically could mean damaged records. People always say this, but I swear I've run some fucked up carts across some LPs and have yet to damaged anything. Conclusion Denon DL-103 wins yay.

nah, i haven't heard either.

Fixed that for you.

Actually, I did just come up with a DIY method for getting the Duet to work with Windows, since I am DIY master. 1. Buy Duet 2. Sell Duet 3. Buy Pico 4. ... 5. Profit

nope.

point me in the direction of this lundahl unit.

Hey Stax Fans- Currently I'm using an SRD-7/Pro with a Cambridge Audio 840A to power my OII, and obviously I'm quite thrilled with the combination. I can tell, however, that at higher volumes, the OII's performance starts to level out, and I know that it could get better with more power. The only 'stat amp I could ever conceivably afford is a Headamp KGSS. Are there significant benefits with going with a dedicated KGSS as opposed to using a speaker amp with an adapter? Or is it more different shades of the same color?

i want a 4070 as well.

only one we have to remember is SR-007. Omega update: these headphones still kick ass. incredibly transparent. amazing with digital, even better with vinyl. Listened to the Classic Records 200g pressing of Alan Parsons' I Robot the past two nights before I went to bed, using the Denon DL-103 MC cart. Just a ridiculous music experience. The drums when "Don't Let It Show" kicks into high gear are insane.

leave it to HC mods to ROCK THE FUCKING HOUSE. deepak's new avatar is kick ass though.

actually it is kind of fun testing the skin density of newbies. maybe a newbie forum isn't the best idea. i see we had one this morning for about 10 minutes, then it disappeared.

nope, no competition. buy a pico.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Welcome to head-case!

Anyone heard both Quad 12L actives and the HE-1.2b? How do they compare?

Logically, just a simple sticky should be enough for new member introductions. But keep in mind these are new head-casers we are talking about. The lowest of the low, at least in regards to mental capacity. They might require a big forum title to jump out at them.