Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Denon Denon DL103R with Van Den Hull retip Phono Cartridge by SirAnthony

Model:	Denon DL103R with Van Den Hull retip
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$249 + aprox $300 for retip
Description:	A retipped 103R
Manufacturer URL:	Denon
Manufacturer URL:	Denon

Review by SirAnthony ( A ) on August 02, 2006 at 14:06:16
IP Address: 67.161.178.202

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for the Denon DL103R with Van Den Hull retip

This review will be short. I don't like to banter on about how the guns of navarone sound etc. Like that really means anything the the reader. I wanted to try the 103R because so many people hold it in high regard.

What I thought of the 103R in stock form: Very relaxed sounding with nice midrage and good bass. Sorely lacking in detail due to the conical stylus. It has it's charms but I couldn't live with this cart for long. It just wasn't doing it for me. So I sent it off to Van Den Hull for retip.

What I think about the 103R after retip: The retip took over a month and a half. Something to remember if you decide to send yours in. It takes awhile. When I first recieved the retiped 103R I was floored at the difference. The main difference being the level of detail. There is no comparison to the conical. I think the level of detail is up there with far more expensive carts. I don't think the cart loses it's character either. It pretty much sounds the same but with alot more detail and refinement. You hear everything in the groove. There is a gain in treble retreival but it's not too bright as some have suggested. There is some loss in bass. You lose some boom but gain more definition. I atribute this to having less VTF with fine line stylus. Listening to Mark Knopler Shangri-la, his vocals have a wonderful texture. The overall sound is really good. If your a 103R fan I don't think you can go wrong with this upgrade. It is well worth it. I don't see how you could get this sound any other way.

Now I will mention the down side to the 103R. These things aren't the fault of the retip in any way. After living with this cart for over a month I can now say what I really like and dislike about it. The strength of the 103R is it's vocal presentation and a very wide sound stage. Some people might say "it's very tube like". I think thats misrepresentaion of tubes. Tubes can sound that way. They can also sound very detailed and dynamic. The drawback to the 103R is it's lack of dynamics. It has a very wide sound stage but also a very flat one. It almost sounds compressed. There is a lack of excitement to the sound. If you like a very relaxed but detailed sound this is the cart you want. I really like this cart for sober critical listening. But when I want to really get into the music and enjoy it for several hours, the 10x5 is much better suited to the task. The 10x5 has a focus to is that reaches into your ears and pulls you into the music. Some people my not like this. They may think it's too anylitilcle. But once you get used to the 10x5 nothing else will do. My next step is a more detailed version of the 10x5. Any reccomendations are welcome.

Product Weakness: Lacks dynamics and focus
Product Strengths: Vocal presentation and a wide detailed soundstage

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Modified ARC D76A
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Modified AI Modulus 2D
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	MMF7 with headshell weight etc
Speakers:	Axiom M80's
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY silver and copper
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Pop, Jazz
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Lacks dynamics and focus
Product Strengths:	Vocal presentation and a wide detailed soundstage