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Zu Audio Modded Denon 103's

I bought a Zu Audio DL 103 Mk II cartridge - Grade 2 Prime cartridge for $1099 as a spare as my other cartridge was being repaired/inspected. At the time (September 2020), the cartridge sounded pretty good - this was my first modded DL 103. However, just as the cartridge was breaking in (~ 35 hours), I accidently hit my tonearm and sent it towards the platter and unfortunately snapped the cantilever right off. After a few cuss words, I realized there wasn't much I could do except send it in for a retip. So the next day, I sent it to VAS Audio to get it retipped. When Steve examined the cartridge, he told me that the right terminal of the cartridge was damaged internally and that due to the make of the cartridge (epoxy filled) that repairing it would be an issue. I then reached out to Zu Audio who confirmed that repair was not possible (after I sent the cartridge back to them) and the best they could do was offer me 20% off on a new cartridge. I definitely wasn't going to go down that route again - I tried to get the 20% discount on other Zu products, but was told that the offer was only good for cartridges. So, worst $1100 ever spent. I know accidents like this are isolated incidents, but it does happen. So those of you that are looking into the Zu modded Denon's - keep this in mind.


Since I didn't have another spare cartridge, Steve did send me one of his modded Denon's with a wooden body and elliptical stylus. The VAS cartridge sounded warmer and better than the Zu cartridge and at half the price. To those that are in the market for modded 103's there are tons of options out there - I would recommend giving VAS audio a try before pursuing the more expensive Zu Audio or other cartridges that use epoxy as fillers to add mass. This way if something goes wrong, at least there is the option to repair the cartridge.

128x128rdk777
billwojo
397 posts
 
I've seen those Zu cartridges and never could figure out why they were so much more than other DL-103 carts.
The only advantage that I ever saw was they supposedly buy batches of the DL-103 and select the best ones after testing to modify.
The fact that they can't repair a stupid expensive DL-103 that they modified is nuts. Why buy from them at all if they can't stand behind what they do.
For half the price you can have Steve at VAS build you a super DL-103 that he can service in the future. For the asking price of the Zu cart, there are a lot of better alternatives.
I just went to the Zu website to see what mods they actually do. They select a carefully matched (channel balanced) cart and stick it in a $100 machined aluminum body, fill it with epoxy so it's irreparable and charge you a small fortune! Stock cantilever and stylus! All this for $1100 bucks!
BillWojo
big_greg
6,646 posts
 
I've seen those Zu cartridges and never could figure out why they were so much more than other DL-103 carts.
I wouldn't buy one. The only reason I have one is because it came with a turntable I bought. I have to say though after Andy Kim worked his magic on it it's pretty sweet.

rdk777's avatar
rdk777 OP
572 posts
 

Zu does modify the Denon 103 and brands their name them for a premium (~ 367% in this case). Well I guess that clears them of any maintenance type issues that one may encounter. While that seems to be okay with most people, I (along with @billwojo) have a hard time accepting that – but it is what it is. Again, my point is that this is a design flaw that has to do with the epoxy potting used in the Zu modded cartridges. My cartridge probably winded up in a landfill – I never got it back and never asked. 

I have indicated that my experience is an isolated incident, but it can happen. Had I known about the issues with epoxy potted cartridges, I may have gone down a different path or just settled for the standard grade. It’s quite a zinger to lose $1100 just like that. I’ve learned and have a microridge retipped 103R (by VAS) with excellent results. I will likely not have to throw away the cartridge should one of the channels go bad. There are better choices out there for 103’s and other cartridges in the ~$1k range.


dover
2,247 posts
 
Cartridges are a disposable item, you should only spend what you can afford to throw away.

Secondly, a lot of these modified Denons are a joke. All they do is put a new body over the top, but at the end of the day the cartridge is still connected to the tonearm via the flimsy plastic base under that shiny flashy new body shell. I mean you could just as easily glue some flooby dust to the standard cartridge.

Or you could nude the cartridge yourself - just cut an aluminium/spz/magnesium/titanium plate, whatever your poison, drill 2 holes to match the headshell, pull the body off the cartridge and epoxy or superglue the guts to the plate

Cant make silk out of a pigs ear though.
big_greg
6,646 posts
 
Zu does modify the Denon 103 and brands their name them for a premium (~ 367% in this case). Well I guess that clears them of any maintenance type issues that one may encounter. While that seems to be okay with most people...
Even companies that actually make cartridges don't always re-tip them.  Why would you expect a company that doesn't make cartridges to have the skill set or the parts to be able to re-tip a cartridge?  Why didn't you contact Zu first if you thought they would re-tip it?  You sent it to VAS because you already knew that.  You realize that modifying other manufacturer's products usually voids a warranty?  Not that you breaking the cantilever would be a warranty issue.

It sucks that you're out a thousand bucks because of your carelessness, but why are you all mad at Zu about your mistake?  It's not that I'm "OK" with Zu not being able to do "maintenance" on the cartridge, it's more like why not be mad at the person that broke the cartridge?

Personally I wouldn't buy a Zu Denon because of many of the issues brought up in this thread - the cost, the epoxy in the body, and the fact that they don't actually make it.  They do have a lot of fans and I really like mine after it was re-tipped by Andy Kim, but you're taking a risk the moment you buy something that is "modified".



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