Baby Koetsus? ie, Poor Mans Koetsu

Definitely the Denon DL103R, same type of sound, but without the big price tag.

Everyone knows my love of the 103R.

My limited experience of one sample of a Shelter 501 (for a one month period) pointed me toward it liking rock and modern jazz but not having the coherence of either it's big brother (the 901) or the Denon when playing anything acoustic - be it bluegrass, chamber, or large scale symphonic music.

It's been my experience the Shelter line doesn't come into its own until you get to tht 901.

Please take this as one person's experience of a single sample of a 501 for only a month's time, and of and extensive sampling of 3 different 103R's.

As far as matching the relatively stiff 103R with a medium or low mass tonearm, I recently added about 5 grams (via a small brass shim) to the tonearm of a Dual 1228 for a visitor.

I was mightily impressed at the amount of music coming out of this rig. The turntables's owner wasn't as impressed as I was, but I am convinced that he was freaking out over my Exemplar horns. It was obvious to me that he was very disoriented, as he lives in the land of cones 'n domes.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

yes, i just mounted a denon 103 (regular) that i had.. finally got a preamp for it. dynavector p75 set at 470 ohm, 60db... sound is fantastic on a nottingham interspace with interspace arm... p.s., after having done research on this a bit... it turns out that the compliance is not as low as it would seem. denon rates it against 100hz.. people usually reference 10hz... so denon states 5, but its really more like 9 or 10 by more standard metrics. great midrange, like a slightly less lush koetsu seems, koetsu may have a touch better flow and romanticism, but i think the denons bass is probably better. good stuff

Hi,
I think Viridian hit it right on the head.
Shelter 501, Denon DL103R, Denon DL103.

The Shelter 901 doesn't have it.
I know a number of folks who have moved from a Shelter 501 to a Shelter 901, and regretted the move.
The 901 is more detailed, and more "audiophile", but you lose the "magic" of the 501 in the bargain.
I suppose it depends on what you want.
For the money, the DL103R is the best bargain on the planet, IMHO.