@sdrsdrsdr
No, never again. Same about Ortofon SPU with conical tip (never again).
When i was reading reviews and many comments in the internet about Denon and SPU "musicality" i was hooked, just like many people who read such comments. And my system was quite good too, just different tube amp with those best military NOS Telefunken tubes, same high efficient Zu Audio Druid speakers, very nice phono stage with built-in SUTs (still my favorite in low register, nothing can beat it).
The "problem" is that i had a truly high-end cartridge to compare those old school monsters to. Maybe not everyone who prise Denon and SPU so much have truly high-end cartridge to compare one to another. It was long time ago, my reference cartridge was ZYX Premium 4D SBII with copper coil. Any Ortofon SPU (conical), various Denon (conical) cartridges and many other cartridges were just garbage compared to ZYX Premium 4D SBII. It was so dead and rolled-off on both ends that for me it was simply impossible to accept it. And ZYX is not my favorite cartridge, but at that time it was obvious that my preferences in sound is not what i can get from old school Denon and SPU cartridges designed for broadcast use on radiostations back in the days.
Even on my dedicated tonearm made especially for Denon 103 and Ortofon SPU it was definitely NOT involving at all in comparison to the ZYX Premium 4D SBII on Technics EPA-100 tonearm. Even my Axel’s refurbished Technics EPC-100c mk3 cartridge on the same Schick tonearm (with lighter counterweight) was much better than any Denon and SPU i have tried in the same system on the same turntable.
The one and only SPU that i liked was Royal G mk2 with Replicant-100 tip, i think you have Royan N - right ?
@billwojo My criticism for Denon and SPU based on my own experience, not by the other folks comments online. I always trying to explain why i don’t like it, if you will read first paragraph you will understand what i mean, maybe.
I will recall some cartridges that are far superior to Denon 103 and Ortofon SPU. I want to tell you that i had them all at the same time in my system about 5-7 years ago. Now i have much better cartridges, but even those cartridges are superior to brand new SPU and Denon.
-This one is $600 LOMC Audio-Technica ART-2000 Limited Edition
-My Argent MC500HS (High Output MC) with Sapphire cantilever and Hyper Elliptical tip was better than all those Denon and SPU on the same Schick "12 inch toneam.
-My belowed Technics 205c mk4 (on the right) was my favorite MM at that time and with all combination of styli from the Original Lowrider or Axel’s refurbished, and Jico SAS Boron this cartridge was better than all those LOMC.
-Glanz MFG-61 is rare Moving Flux (MM) type, hard to say how much it is, but absolutely amazing cartridge, here is a close up image.
-This Axel’s refurbished Technics EPC100c mk3 (MM) was great, even Axel replaced the cantilever, he used the Boron cantilever from Nagaoka with Elliptical tip. And even this refurbished sample was much better than burned-in NEW Ortofon SPU and Denon cartridges.
I hope it’s enough to say that i owned many cartridges and all of them easily outperform brand new Denon and SPU LOMC with conical tip.
I would not call those Denon and SPU "the most musical cartridges" like some other people do. I see no reason for that. And for me it was a waste of money and time, but still a good experience to make my own conclusion.
Don;t believe the hype and try a better cartridges, there are plenty of them on the market for very reasonable prices and all of them are better than Denon and SPU with conical diamonds.
In this post i gave you and others an examples of 2 LOMC, 1 HOMC, and 3 MM cartridges. The most expensive is ZYX Premium 4D SBII which is a $4k cartridge, but the rest are much cheaper. All of them are superior to Denon and SPU low compliance monsters.
Over the years i discovered many more cartridges, probably over 30 different vintage cartridges, mostly MM. They are all absolutely fantastic, but reviewers will not tell you about them, too bad.
Regarding the LOMC low compliance cartridges nothing can beat Fidelity-Research FR-7f and this is probably "best buy". PMC-3 is much cheaper and also good.
Miyabi Standard is another amazing low compliance cartridge, but for higher price.
And speaking about NEW cartridges the Miyajima Kansui is the one to look for, save on expensive Denon upgrades re-tippers are offering and just buy a much better original cartridge - this is my advice!
What i have learned so far:
Do not buy cartridges with Conical diamonds if you’re looking for high fidelity. Do not expect that LOMC is always better than MM or MI. Do not trust re-tippers and never try to refurbish any cartridge, always buy fully original cartridges and if you don’t like it try to find another cartridge from another manufacturer. Do not trust reviewers too much. Don’t believe the hype! Some of the best cartridges are less popular and less known that some overrated and highly promoted modern mediocre cartridges. Trust your own ears! Very simple.
@chakster
Do you still have your denon? Did you try it in your ikeda arm. I never thought it was all that great until i tried it in my ikeda arm and it is quite musical. And does have a very appealing sound. In other arms I found it to sound less refined and less smooth. It needs a heavy arm. Fr64s probably a good match too.
No, never again. Same about Ortofon SPU with conical tip (never again).
When i was reading reviews and many comments in the internet about Denon and SPU "musicality" i was hooked, just like many people who read such comments. And my system was quite good too, just different tube amp with those best military NOS Telefunken tubes, same high efficient Zu Audio Druid speakers, very nice phono stage with built-in SUTs (still my favorite in low register, nothing can beat it).
The "problem" is that i had a truly high-end cartridge to compare those old school monsters to. Maybe not everyone who prise Denon and SPU so much have truly high-end cartridge to compare one to another. It was long time ago, my reference cartridge was ZYX Premium 4D SBII with copper coil. Any Ortofon SPU (conical), various Denon (conical) cartridges and many other cartridges were just garbage compared to ZYX Premium 4D SBII. It was so dead and rolled-off on both ends that for me it was simply impossible to accept it. And ZYX is not my favorite cartridge, but at that time it was obvious that my preferences in sound is not what i can get from old school Denon and SPU cartridges designed for broadcast use on radiostations back in the days.
Even on my dedicated tonearm made especially for Denon 103 and Ortofon SPU it was definitely NOT involving at all in comparison to the ZYX Premium 4D SBII on Technics EPA-100 tonearm. Even my Axel’s refurbished Technics EPC-100c mk3 cartridge on the same Schick tonearm (with lighter counterweight) was much better than any Denon and SPU i have tried in the same system on the same turntable.
The one and only SPU that i liked was Royal G mk2 with Replicant-100 tip, i think you have Royan N - right ?
Chakster is a Denon hater, every chance he gets he puts the DL-103 and it’s variants down. If you go on the internet and check around there is a whole lotta love for it from many folks out there. My favorite reports are from the folks that started with a DL-103 and moved up the chain to carts costing several thousand dollars. When the mega cart goes in for service and they put that old DL-103 back in service to tide them over they are very surprised.To a T they all say that the old Denon, while not the last word on detail is so more musical and how they missed that.
@billwojo My criticism for Denon and SPU based on my own experience, not by the other folks comments online. I always trying to explain why i don’t like it, if you will read first paragraph you will understand what i mean, maybe.
I will recall some cartridges that are far superior to Denon 103 and Ortofon SPU. I want to tell you that i had them all at the same time in my system about 5-7 years ago. Now i have much better cartridges, but even those cartridges are superior to brand new SPU and Denon.
-This one is $600 LOMC Audio-Technica ART-2000 Limited Edition
-My Argent MC500HS (High Output MC) with Sapphire cantilever and Hyper Elliptical tip was better than all those Denon and SPU on the same Schick "12 inch toneam.
-My belowed Technics 205c mk4 (on the right) was my favorite MM at that time and with all combination of styli from the Original Lowrider or Axel’s refurbished, and Jico SAS Boron this cartridge was better than all those LOMC.
-Glanz MFG-61 is rare Moving Flux (MM) type, hard to say how much it is, but absolutely amazing cartridge, here is a close up image.
-This Axel’s refurbished Technics EPC100c mk3 (MM) was great, even Axel replaced the cantilever, he used the Boron cantilever from Nagaoka with Elliptical tip. And even this refurbished sample was much better than burned-in NEW Ortofon SPU and Denon cartridges.
I hope it’s enough to say that i owned many cartridges and all of them easily outperform brand new Denon and SPU LOMC with conical tip.
I would not call those Denon and SPU "the most musical cartridges" like some other people do. I see no reason for that. And for me it was a waste of money and time, but still a good experience to make my own conclusion.
Don;t believe the hype and try a better cartridges, there are plenty of them on the market for very reasonable prices and all of them are better than Denon and SPU with conical diamonds.
In this post i gave you and others an examples of 2 LOMC, 1 HOMC, and 3 MM cartridges. The most expensive is ZYX Premium 4D SBII which is a $4k cartridge, but the rest are much cheaper. All of them are superior to Denon and SPU low compliance monsters.
Over the years i discovered many more cartridges, probably over 30 different vintage cartridges, mostly MM. They are all absolutely fantastic, but reviewers will not tell you about them, too bad.
Regarding the LOMC low compliance cartridges nothing can beat Fidelity-Research FR-7f and this is probably "best buy". PMC-3 is much cheaper and also good.
Miyabi Standard is another amazing low compliance cartridge, but for higher price.
And speaking about NEW cartridges the Miyajima Kansui is the one to look for, save on expensive Denon upgrades re-tippers are offering and just buy a much better original cartridge - this is my advice!
What i have learned so far:
Do not buy cartridges with Conical diamonds if you’re looking for high fidelity. Do not expect that LOMC is always better than MM or MI. Do not trust re-tippers and never try to refurbish any cartridge, always buy fully original cartridges and if you don’t like it try to find another cartridge from another manufacturer. Do not trust reviewers too much. Don’t believe the hype! Some of the best cartridges are less popular and less known that some overrated and highly promoted modern mediocre cartridges. Trust your own ears! Very simple.