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
I'll third the suspected arm mis-match. I used my 103R on both a Graham 2.2 and Basis Vector and the bass response was excellant. We're talking rattle the windows bass response even a low volumes. I also played around with loading and while I preffered a load below 500 ohms it never sounded as off as Vinyllace describes. While DougDeacon's suggestion to add weight may improve things I'm not sure it will solve all issues with this combination. One good way to find out if the resonant frequency is the problem is to get a copy of the HiFi News Test LP and play the frequency tests. At $45 it would make a great Holiday gift.
Thanks alot fellas. As you can sumise the Mrs. has officially taken over my one true love in life and has now begun my education to top things off. On a serious note I really appreciate your input and knowledge I'm sure their are others like me who do not fully understand the ins and outs of our hobby . Maybe we should all get our wives involved and let them ask the questions we dare not ask for fear of sounding ignorant.
Flyfisher, you should really count your blessings! I would love for my wife to get involved in this vinyl lunacy. She tolerates it and occasionally stops and says, "That sound pretty good." That is as much as I can hope for.

Good luck and have fun!

Dan