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DL103R- I’m sure it’s been said before…

… but before you move on from your 103/R, if you like the sound signature of it, treat yourself to the best SUT you can afford. I have been doing a lot of comparisons lately and after the Lyra Argo and Ortofon Cadenza black just didn’t suit my taste, and I got tired of the quirks of the Decca Super Gold I was frustrated. I loved the tonal qualities of the DL103R with a microridge stylus (I have two, one from AnaMighty and one from Andy @Needle Clinic) but I was really unhappy with the dynamics. I just didn’t believe that the internal SUTs in my Lamm LP2 weren’t good enough but in the end they weren’t. I ended up with a Sculpture A SUT from AnaMighty matched for the DL103R and it’s awesome. Couldn’t be happier. Not as dynamic as a Decca but nothing is. But it’s dynamic enough to enjoy and the tonality is exactly what I like. Finally off the cartridge rollercoaster.
dhcod
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
dhcod, absolutely! The transformer has to be matched to the cartridge's impedance or.... 
However, there are several MM and MI cartridges that are as dynamic as the Decca. The Clearaudio Charisma is certainly one of them. The Decca is certainly a PITA having owned one for a short time. 
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
Congrats. AnaMighty / Sculpture A are really on their game these days :)
anthonya
126 posts
 
a23 sut works best with denon. but expensive 
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
The Jensen mc 2-rr was designed with the denon 103 in mind. $599 and made in USA. The input impedance is 430 ohms, so near perfect. Also, it is a 1/10 ratio with 20db gain, also perfect. Using mine with both the Hana el and the denon 103. These two cartridges have similar needs.
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