Imo, the Hana el is the new 103...its been mentioned in that light a few times. $449 seems a reasonable price for a very good LOMC. It generally has the same needs as the 103, as it too has a decently high internal impedance of about 30 ohms. It works well with 1/10 SUT, and has an elliptacal stylus profile rather than conical.
Question on Denon DL-103 retipping options and preferences
I have been looking at getting a Denon DL-103 retipped and I have narrowed it down to getting it done by Steve at VAS or by Andy at Needle Clinic.
Both companies approach to the DL-103 is very different and I am curious if anyone has heard cartridges from each or what you think that may be better for amazing sounding rock.
Steve recommends a wood housing and then will do a Boron/MR retipping, where Andy will modify the plastic housing on the DL-103 to convert it's enclosed outer body to a half nude body, lightening it up which he says will make it track better. His conversion will be a micro ridge nude stylus (sapphire/boron cantilever)
So as stated very different approaches, same cost for the most part, I have ruled Soundsmith out just based on time, I know Andy turns around in a day, but have read a lot about both so I figured I would ask the question to see where people lean more often. I do already have an ebony housing, just want to get a cartridge that punches way above its weight.
If there is something I should look at outside the DL-103 I would be open to hear about it.
Just for the record this cartridge will be going on a SOTA Sapphire VI with an Audiomods series 6 tonearm and I have a McIntosh MP100 going to a tube rolled Schiit Freya+ driving by two Odyssey Kismet monoblocks and Martin Logan speakers.
Both companies approach to the DL-103 is very different and I am curious if anyone has heard cartridges from each or what you think that may be better for amazing sounding rock.
Steve recommends a wood housing and then will do a Boron/MR retipping, where Andy will modify the plastic housing on the DL-103 to convert it's enclosed outer body to a half nude body, lightening it up which he says will make it track better. His conversion will be a micro ridge nude stylus (sapphire/boron cantilever)
So as stated very different approaches, same cost for the most part, I have ruled Soundsmith out just based on time, I know Andy turns around in a day, but have read a lot about both so I figured I would ask the question to see where people lean more often. I do already have an ebony housing, just want to get a cartridge that punches way above its weight.
If there is something I should look at outside the DL-103 I would be open to hear about it.
Just for the record this cartridge will be going on a SOTA Sapphire VI with an Audiomods series 6 tonearm and I have a McIntosh MP100 going to a tube rolled Schiit Freya+ driving by two Odyssey Kismet monoblocks and Martin Logan speakers.
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- 58 posts total
I had Andy do a cantilever / stylus replacement on a DL-103D in the past 6 months. He used the Namiki Boron Micro Ridge & he modified the cartridge body to reduce resonance. I've had this cartridge for 15 years from original. It that time I've had it rebuilt twice once by Sound Smiths & now by Andy Kim. The original rebuild by SS used there Ruby LC option which was a marked improvement upon the original cantilever. But the Andy Kim option has turned this cartridge into a true keeper, it really is a step up in SQ compared to the SS option. Regarding the body modification Andy does IMO it works but is a bit unsightly, so I denuded the cartridge myself and used a Stanley Engineering biscuit which when swapped out only adds an additional 0.5grams compared to original. Regarding Andy's service I found him honest & remarkably quick to respond to and the turnaround time was within 2 days of receiving the cartridge. Great service Andy. NEW - Wooden Body NAKED STYLE for DENON DL103 DL103R Cartridge MAHOGANI WOOD | eBay Cheers Johno |
Instead of constant rebuild of one cheap cartridge, designed for radio broadcast in the ’60s, it’s better to buy 3 more different cartridges made in the '80s that already have high-end cantilever and advanced stylus profile. User replaceable stylus is huge benefit, this is what we call usability, you don't need a re-tipper to buy JICO SAS stylus replacement, they made those super advanced stylus for many vintage MM and the stylus available from their shop. For GRACE owners new styli availabe from SoundSmith here. He's got many options from $200 to $500. Basically all you need is a cartridge body. His F9 compatible with F12 and F14 too. I prefer genuine styli, they are hard to find, here is mine (NOS). I really don't know why people believe that MC cartridge is better than MM (especially equally priced MM vs. MC) ? |
"Instead of constant rebuild of one cheap cartridge, designed for radio broadcast in the '60s, it's better to buy 3 more different cartridges that already have high-end cantilever and advanced stylus profile." Let's see: at $560 divided by 3 that's $185 a piece for cartridges with a boron cantilever and microridge stylus. I'll have three of those too! We'll call it the new math/new cartridge/audiophile combo. |
- 58 posts total