Best cheapo Cartridge

Hello @rauliruegas ,
My Denon DL 103 M arrived back from Needle Clinic with boron cantilever and micro ridge stylus.  Very smooth without being being too sweet.  Nice extension on the top and bottom.  Lots of heft in lower midrange/upper bass.  I'm very pleased with it.  I'd say it competes with MC cartridges in the $2000 + range.  My total investment $650.  Don't know if this qualifies as "cheapo" but in my experience you would have to spend at about three times that to find a MC its equal.

Dear @vpi  : Good and for what you said Needle Clinic made a good job.

In the other side 650.00 for that kind of quality levels is really good and almost a bargain.

Enjoy it !

R.

Denon DL 103 M arrived back from Needle Clinic with boron cantilever and micro ridge stylus.  I'm very pleased with it. I'd say it competes with MC cartridges in the $2000 + range. My total investment $650.  

At this price (or very close) there are many decent original MC cartridges available with Boron Cantilever and MicroRidge diamond. What's the point to invest in Denon 103 refurbishing? I just don't understand it, sorry.   

I spoke to an excellent cartridge re-tipper and he explained that the DL103 is very good for two main reasons:

1. consistently well made
2. economies of scale production

You will find that each one comes with a readout - and you will find the left and right channel exceptionally well balanced - better than many more expensive cartridges.

the only thing holding it back is apparently a rubbish stylus.

That said, apparently, the market for a replacement body is a waste of time. 

Dear @parrotbee  : You are rigth. From some years now exist several truly expensive LOMC cartridges ( over 5K-6K prices. ) that use the DL 103 cartridge motor with different build materials in the body, cantilever build materials, stylus shapes and kind of wire in the coils but the " motor " is the one by Denon.

As I said I still have the venerable 103 and between other of its brothers the 103D that's good performer and competitive with today higher price cartridges.

@vpi  move with the 103M was and is really worth to do it and he knows by the rewardings he is achieving in quality level performance.

I own and owned several Denon audio items: TT, tonearms, cartridges, electronics, etc, etc, and never found out any Denon audio item where I can say: that is a bad item, never.

Now, I have more than " curiosity " about the 103M.

R.