REVIEW: Soundsmith Denon DL103


The decision to purchase this cartridge took a considerable time to evaluate...
- exactly how much better was it over the stock DL103?
- although more revealing, it would probably reveal more issues with some of my older pressings?
- what about setup? - is it as easy as a spherical stylus?

Well - it is SO MUCH better than the stock DL103 - no comparison! But it still retained the very nice balanced performance the stock DL103 has always delivered - it just had more of everything!

More revealing in so many ways - the worst of which effects albums that are not in premium condition - now I know which albums are in serious need of replacing.

Setup has taken on a whole new level of precision. The more precision you apply in cartridge setup - the more magnificent this cartridge sounds.

The hi-end details are superbly clean and crisp, with a smoothness that has me believing it is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.

Low-end control is tight, with textures I had never heard before.

Mids are full bodied, warm and extremely textured.

Imaging is considerably deeper than the stock DL 103 and the venue acoustics had me believing I was in the performance.

Orchestral pieces convey an enhanced spacial awareness in depth and width across the entire orchestra - just as in a live performance

Now, I didn't have Soundsmith mod an existing cartridge, but I would assume the improvements the Ruby cantilever makes would apply to them also.

Not really anything new here - most other reviews report similar findings - but my comments apply to the venerable Denon DL 103!

I have an Audiomods Arm which uses a Rega Arm Tube, so I did need to augment the effective mass with a brass head-shell spacer/weight - but what an improvement!

I think Soundsmith's advantage lies in their Ruby Cantilever, which conveys extremely fine details in a very controlled manner.

If you are undecided about a Soundsmith mod - come on in - the details are incredible.

One of the best value upgrades I can think of

Regards...
williewonka
What differences have you noticed between this Denon and cartrdiges that you have knowledge of in the same price range.
Stringreen - my knowledge of cartridges is very limited.

I really didn't "get into" vinyl until a couple of years ago when I rebuilt and upgraded my turn table. At that point I opted for a Denon because of it's stellar reviews and very attractive pricing.

The Denon is very good but not without it's warts - as mentioned it needs an arm with higher effective mass than most.

To accommodate that aspect I applied my own tweak to both the stock and the Soundsmith mod'd cartridge, in that I epoxy the cartridge to a brass mounting plate - a leaf out of the Zu version of the DL103

Now, not really a fair comparison, but a friend has a Van den Hul Colibri mounted on an Audiomods Series Five arm - the next model up from my own. Considering the difference in price - $600 vs $6000 - I would have to say the Soundsmith is turning in an incredibly respectable performance by comparison.

With the Zu version, you don't get the Ruby cantilever, which is Soundsmith's advantage.

The Soundsmith DL103 displays incredible control, without loosing any of the attributes the stock Denon is reknown for.

My only suggestion would be to look at cartridges that have the ruby cantilever - it will give you an indication what company it is in keeping with.

Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance, but I'm still learning myself

Regards
Thanks Ph - took me a while, but since "dipping my toe" I find "the water is incredibly fine"

A nice investment that has definitely paid off :-)
Btw ~ soundsmith has at least 5 or 6 103 versions. Which is yours? Line contact, wood body, ?

I have a wood body with ruby line contact it was on par with vanden hul MC 10. I have another being modded by Thomas schick with a boron cantilever and mirco line stylus. Will post a review in the spring.