Denon 103 and Varients

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Stemcor1990
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Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by Stemcor1990 »

I’m currently using a PL71 and Denon 103. Its a hugely enjoyable combo and with NVA amps and speakers has revitalised my record collection.

There are many version of the 103 out there so are any of them significantly better than the “basic” 103 ? I appreciate that this is a very subjective discussion but I know that the HFS community will give me honest replies.

Let’s have the 103 shoot-out !

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Dr Bunsen Honeydew
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

In have had two standard ones, I look at the prices of the others and laugh, so never been tempted. It seems just some slurpers jumping on the bandwagon that the 103 created all on its own.

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jayman67
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by jayman67 »

i use a denon 103sa.im very pleased with it. playing records at last and just enjoying them.
Yamaha NS1000M speakers,Pioneer PLC-590 turntable,,Alphason HR-100S-MCS/Zeta tonearms,Denon 103sa cartridge ,Sony 700ES Amp,Sony X555ES CD Player, Nakamichi ca5 pre amp.

Lurcher300b
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by Lurcher300b »

I think the 103r is more than worth the difference in price. I am currently using a 103r rebuilt by Van Den Hull, I think they are also more than worth the extra cost of the rebuild.

ArloFlynn
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by ArloFlynn »

I have had on standard DL103 which I liked very much, it was fitted to a (Jonny7 rewired) Rega RB250. Apparently a big no-no in hi-fi land. It sounded very good to me however.

About 3 years ago I sent it off to the Van de hul company to get it re-worked. On return it was fitted back to the Rega and it sounded very good, not really much different to its original sound to be honest. Maybe a tad tighter all round (I say maybe).

Moving the other way if I went back to an original Dl103 I might hear a vast change? In fact I believe that is how hi-fi should work, you should buy the most expensive gear and downsize to the cheapest and see if you notice a difference.

The DL103 is now on a Jelco 750D and I don’t think it sounds as good as the Rega (hi-fi hari kari)
However at the time dosh was available to splosh and I was able to satisfy a curiosity.

If you’re tempted to do similar, I would advise not, but if you have the spare, then why not.

Kevin.
Kevin.

No Valves - Technics SL1210/Jelco/DL103 (vdh) - Phono2 - P50SA - A70's - Cubettes
Valves - Cambridge CD - World Designs Pre3 - WAD 6550 - Troels Gravesen CA18rnx speakers.

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Dr Bunsen Honeydew
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

Well Jelco became a Marco shill (amateur, not money or favour based, just ego based). I was wary of it as it seemed to be built to impress, not for music. It is BIG with high mass machined block around the bearing. Other arms like this (Kuzma?) seem to follow the same line of thought. I am afraid I am a hater of all the British made Rega arms, though his original bought in from Japan arm was very good for the money, better IMO to what became the RB series arms. I have explained why many times, it is in the archive and to do with tools that extrude and how they are not accurate and they wear.

It is the bearing that is important, and you cannot judge that by looking with eyes, only with ears. Look how simple my Neat G36 is but musically I have heard no better, look at the arm on the PL71 - simple but excellent bearing so it sounds musically very good - bad bearings smear information, bad arm tube (Rega RB) mess up musical timing, and are inconsistent, the badness varies, how many bubbles in the extrusion ??

Best arm bargain at the moment the old Japanese design Rega R200 bought at ebay (lots come up) and then sent to J7 for refurb.

ArloFlynn
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by ArloFlynn »

I shall trawl the archives for your advice and if I see a R200 maybe take a punt. Bear in mind, now you have said that prices may soar.
Many thanks.
Kevin.
Kevin.

No Valves - Technics SL1210/Jelco/DL103 (vdh) - Phono2 - P50SA - A70's - Cubettes
Valves - Cambridge CD - World Designs Pre3 - WAD 6550 - Troels Gravesen CA18rnx speakers.

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Dr Bunsen Honeydew
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by Dr Bunsen Honeydew »

There is one at ebay that needs a new counterweight for under £50 at the moment.

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jayman67
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by jayman67 »

they like mass too.
Yamaha NS1000M speakers,Pioneer PLC-590 turntable,,Alphason HR-100S-MCS/Zeta tonearms,Denon 103sa cartridge ,Sony 700ES Amp,Sony X555ES CD Player, Nakamichi ca5 pre amp.

Stemcor1990
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Re: Denon 103 and Varients

Unread post by Stemcor1990 »

Many thanks to everybody for their comments. With the standard 103 being so good, it’s tempting to investigate the other options. I certainly can’t see myself paying mega pounds now for a cartridge as the PL71/103 combo works so well.

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