Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Denon 103R Phono Cartridge by Paul Tobin

Model:	103R
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$249
Description:	0.25mV moving coil, Conical Stylus
Manufacturer URL:	Denon
Model Picture:	View

Review by Paul Tobin ( A ) on December 20, 2005 at 22:12:40
IP Address: 202.164.204.60

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for the 103R

This is a followup of my original review.
Afer 6 weeks of listening solely to the 103R, I reinserted my old VdH retipped Crown Jewel for some comparisons. Before installing the CJ I gave the motor area/cantilever/stylus a thorough clean. My Graham arm now has slightly less damping fluid - adjusted during 103R listening - and this setup seems to benefit the CJ as well.
I've since swapped both cartridges in and out about 6 times to get a fix on the differences. My enthusiasum for the 103R remains, but this is tempered somewhat by the things that it can't do.
The CJ has a different balance, somewhat lighter (though tighter) bass response and more treble energy. The CJ's midrange is quite full bodied - though not as full as the 103R. The CJ has the more pure, detailed sound. It also sounds more tonally neutral and lower in coloration than the 103R. High frequency sounds - cymbals, bells etc - are much more vivid and present with the CJ. The details are still there with the 103R, but less emphatic and obvious.
There are considerable differences in imaging and staging. The CJ produces slightly smaller more focussed images with more sense of space and perhaps a touch more absolute depth - though depth perception is good with the 103R. The CJ is much better at 'floating' dimensional images in space.
I would guess that most people would be more attracted to the CJ's more vivid, focussed and explicit presentation on first listening....and I certainly really like it. Yet somehow I still think the 103R is more purely fun to listen to. The 103R sounds infectuously rythmic and together. Rock/pop/jazz stuff particularly benefits from this, though it sounds excellent on classical material too. The 103R is more forgiving of poor recordings - I find it sounds great on just about any record, giving full access to my collection. The CJ can sound a bit thin and exposed on early, less well recorded material. OTOH, duller recordings (seventies rock stuff eg Stevie Wonder's Innervisions etc) can sound a tad dull and closed down with the 103R. The CJ sounds much better on this material. Makes me wish I had a second wand for the Graham, so I could change cartridges for different recordings.
So anyway, there is just a bit more perspective on the 103R's sound. It won't do everything and won't be to everyone's taste. It remains an extremely enjoyable and musical cartridge at a bargain price. Though I'm more aware of it's shortcomings I still love it.

Product Weakness: Can be readily bettered in detail/imaging/focus/low colouration etc. Cymbals, chimes, bell sounds etc lack the presence and vividness of more expensive cartridges. Guitar plucks and piano hammer strikes etc can sound a bit soft.
Product Strengths: Balance/coherence. Robust and full tonally. Quite dynamic. Makes listening to records thoroughly enjoyable. Faults (mostly)not bothersome (to me) when listening to music.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Plinius 8200Mk2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Plinius CDLAD Mk2
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	VPI TNT, Graham 1.5T
Speakers:	Harbeth Compact 7es2
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY, Goertz
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, folk, classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	6m x 4.3m x 2.7m
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY acoustic panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	API power wedge
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Can be readily bettered in detail/imaging/focus/low colouration etc. Cymbals, chimes, bell sounds etc lack the presence and vividness of more expensive cartridges. Guitar plucks and piano hammer strikes etc can sound a bit soft.
Product Strengths:	Balance/coherence. Robust and full tonally. Quite dynamic. Makes listening to records thoroughly enjoyable. Faults (mostly)not bothersome (to me) when listening to music.