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Upgrade Denon 103 R to Shelter 501 II?

I own a Denon DL 103R on a Spacedeck with Space-arm. I have read much conflicting data on this cartridge. My question to those who have tried this cartridge and also either a Sumiko Blackbird and Shelter 501 II, is: Will either of these be a significant upgrade? (System: EE Mini-max phono-preamp, Jadis DA 88 Signature int amp, Merlin TSM-Mx speakers)
springbok10
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
no significant sonic inprovement with either.
patrickamory
193 posts
 
I "downgraded" from a Shelter 901 (and a Benz L2, and an Ortofon SPU GTE and SPU GM Classic) to a Denon 103R. I couldn't be happier, and have ordered a few extra 103Rs in case Denon ever stops making them.

Patrick
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
The 501 is no upgrade. There are a handful of cartridges at that price that offer much more. Ditto the 901. Actually, IMO, the entire Shelter line is overpriced considering the available alternatives from Sumiko, Zyx, and Dynavector.
peter_s
1,336 posts
 
Wow - makes me wonder if something was wrong with my Denon! I was never that impressed with the 103r I had in my rig, despite all the high recommendations.
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,942 posts
 
Wow - makes me wonder if something was wrong with my Denon!
If the Denon is really that good, why do't they raise the price to an appropriate level? Do ya think that Denon has no one with ears that can hear its superior quality, or marketers to sell it? I'm skeptical. Yeah there are giant killers out there. Maybe the 103 is one. But giant killers have limits. This one seems limitless according to all the hype. I'm sorry, but I just don't buy it. I was going to, but it has been oversold to the point where I'm now too skeptical.
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