There is a brisk trade in modified versions of the much adored 103. i would seek out an example w a more refined stylus shape w moderate hours… no bent cantilevers…. have fun
Tale of two turntables
I have two turntables.
One is a Rega P3 with every conceivable groove tracer upgrade. The other is a Lenco L70, also upgraded with an audio creative bearing, idler wheel and sitting in a massive DIY plinth. I’m using an Audio Technica 1009 arm with it.
On the Rega I have an Apheta 2 cart
On the Lenco I have a Denon 103R
These are two VERY different philosophies on how to go about building a turntable and they sound quite different. To my ear, the Rega with the Apheta is very detailed with great realistic timbre and lots of air around the instruments. The Denon with the Lenco is super energetic and emotional with great PRAT and a big soundstage but not nearly as detailed and instruments are not as finely rendered. The Rega sounds like a miniature super fine and detailed painting, while the Denon sounds like a huge canvas with broader and bolder colors. I like both, but if I had to choose it would be the realism of the Rega.
Here’s my question: Would a retip of the Denon and or changing/nuding the body bring it closer to the Apheta? I’m loving the excitement and emotionality of the Denon but I’m craving more detail and air. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Would I be better served looking at a different cart for the AT1009 arm? I know that the Apheta retails for way more than the Denon, so it’s better performance shouldn’t come as a surprise but I’m wondering what the benefits of modding the Denon would be?
I know I could just move the Apheta over to the Lenco, but I kind of want a nice cart on both turntables so I can hear them both at their best side to side.
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Adam, Koetsu's love high mass tonearms, is the first brand that comes to mind. I run my Urushi in a Fidelity Research FR64S with an Ortofon LH9000 headshell, which alone weighs 18g. Although I have had the Urushi in technically superior tonearms that had lower effective mass, it never sounded nearly as good as it does in the FR64S/LH9000. At the least, I would recommend that particular headshell. Also consider Miyajima and maybe Ikeda cartridges. |
thanks guys. I think I'm gonna take the plunge and try modding my denon. There's a lot to like and I can only imagine it will get better. @lewm thanks for the recommendation of the headshell, I think I'll try it! |
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