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New Cartridge Gone Wrong

On my last thread I asked for suggestions as to replacements for my husbands Grado Gold. I finally decide on the Kontrapunkt b. But my husband couldn't wait till Christams!!!! So he went out and bought a Denon DL-103.

OK, NOW WHAT!!

It sounds awful!!!!!

It sound like a tin can rattling music!!!

I hate it!!

There is no warmth in the vocals or the instrumentals!! I moved the speakers around in order to open the soundstage. Didn't work.

I am wondering if the phonostage is the problem? Could it be that it can't handle the Denon. We set it to moving coil and change the connections accordingly. We did not have to raise the volume level any higher to accomodate the Denon.

My husband feels that it needs to break-in and is still optomistic. He loves the detail but admits that that sound stage is not what it should be. And the base response is not yet at desired level. (HE IS IN DENIAL!!!!)

In my opionion, the lyrics and overall detail have improved. Base response is NONEXISTENT!!!! I am stil looking to purchase the Kontrapunkt b. or the Shelter 501. (One can never have to many cartridges.)

I have heard great things about the Denon but franklin, right now I am not a believer. Any suggestions, other than adding it to my fireplace for heat!!!!

Denon fans, any input???

System:
VPI Scout w/JMW-9 tonearm
Grado Gold Cartridge
X-LPS v3 Phono Stage
Pass x-1 preamp
Pass 250 amp
Legacy Focus 20/20 speakers
vinyllace
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
The Denon 103 is not a high output MC, so phono stage overload is not the problem.

Marakanetz's suggestion may help. Here's another:

The Denon 103 and JMW-9 are not a good mass/compliance match. You need to add mass to the headshell or change to a higher compliance cartridge. Personally I'd avoid lowish compliance cartridges like the 103 if I had a lightweight, unstabilized unipivot. You'll have fewer problems with mid-high compliance cartridges.
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
I just set up my own Denon 103 this AM on an older Thorens TD-125MkII and Audioquest PT-7 arm. I can tell you unequivically that its NOT the 103. I have owned many TT/arm combos from Ariston, Thorens,Rega,Sumiko,up to a my recently sold VPI Aries/JMW10/ZYX FujiS.

I agree with Marakanetz and Swampwalker that you should use 100ohms as your load on the Denon, however....

I spot your problem immediately!!!

You have a very low compliance Denon 103 at 5cu on a JMW Unipivot which ABSOLUTELY NEEDS a higher compliance cart of around 15cu to work properly.

Unipivots in general are less stable than their fixed or Gimbal bearing counterparts, and thus will not tolerate the low cu carts like the Denon, Lyra helikons of the world.

Grados are somewhat high compliance..the wood bodies go around 20cu which is perfect for the JMW.

Its not the Denon...you just have a tonearm/cart mismatch. Nothing you do will make it sound better unfortunately.

Wood body Grados, Benz Micro Wood bodies, ZYX R20( or any of the ZYX) would be recommended. Not sure on the Kontrapunct..BUT the Shelter's are also NOT a good idea on the JMW's as well..

Hope this help you!

PS...I see Doug just posted the same idea..so you have 2 in agreement on the arm/cart mismatch!
hack
185 posts
 

I had the same experience with a Denon DL-103, bought it based on recommendations here on the 'Gon. Mounted it on my arm and listened to it for about 5 hours, there's no way it was going to improve enough to make it usable. I suspect my phono stage (Primare R20) was a poor match, cuz there's lots of knowledgable 'philes who use the Denon DL-103. Return it if you can, or sell it.
gregadd
574 posts
 
when the emperor has no clothes he must be told. give him some time he'll come around.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I have two DL-103s, one on a JMW 10.5 and one on a modded Rega RB-300. They sound great on both, better than any other carts I've tried. On the other hand, I heard one of mine on a Triplanar arm and it sounded hard, bright, and grainy, but it was loaded at 1000 Ohms instead of the recommended 100. Good luck.
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