The best results of moded 103's are with the Audio Musikraft shells. It has consistently been making the Stereophile Class A component list. I have a VAS moded 103R with MR stylus that I use with the Musikraft shell. The shells are ~ 17 gm (bronze) and with the 103R comes to a total of ~ 21 gm. It is my preferred cartridge given the output voltage of the 103 is ideal. It sounds fantastic with my Kuzma 4P 11.
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
- 58 posts total