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stock denon 103 vs. zu for my vintage rig

I'm just getting into vinyl and pondering how far to take my cartridge choice.

I've got a Pioneer SA-9800 integrated (top of the line, circa 1979) running through a pair of Magnepan IIC's (1986, I think). The sound from this set-up, at least through my Kyocera cd player, is sublime, but they vinyl coming through my Pioneer PL-50, leaves much to be desired.

This lovely table has what looks to be a vintage Pickering V15 with a newer replacement D625 stylus.

The resolution is poor to fuzzy. It could be my newbie attempt at cartridge set-up, but I do believe as well that my system would be best served by a cartridge upgrade.

Seeing as my amp is equipped with an MC phono stage, I was thinking about the classic Denon 103.

My tonearm is the original Pioneer, which I understand is on the heavyish side, so the low-compliance Denon should be a good fit.

The question is whether or not to spend the extra scratch on a Zu-modified version.

The $499 zu's are all sold out, leaving only the pricier, lower-tolerance variants. With that in mind Audio Feil's discounted Prime cartridge at $699 seems the best choice of the available zu options.

So the question is, is it worth it for me to spend about 3 times the price for the zu vs. the standard 103?

From reading around, it seems there is a definite upgrade, but a few have complained that some of the 103 "magic" has gone by the wayside.

Or is my gear not up to the challenge of delivering the best the Zu can offer?
narkleptic
narkleptic OP
8 posts
 
thanks for the responses. I did talk to Bill, and he was very helpful, but I also wanted to tap into the collective knowledge base of A'gon.

I think that, given my turntable and budget, I'll either stick with the stock 103, or investigate some of the options Raul suggested.

(and yeah--the 9800 is awesome. now I'm on a quest to find some wood cases for it and my matching tx-9800)
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rauliruegas
12,898 posts
 
Dear Narkleptic: In those time my Sa-9800 was accopany by the PL-630 TT with an Audio Technica AT-20SS MM cartridge and the HPM-900 speakers, all by Pioneer. Good stuff.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
johnbrown
195 posts
 
Narkleptic-I-and many, many others-believe the DL-103 has plenty of 'magic'. I'd start with the base model, look at some mods, such as here http://home.comcast.net/~omaille/audio/home.html, and when it's time have it retipped for a really nice cart. For the price, I've heard nothing better.

Raul's opinions are as good as anyone's, but he's definitely in the minority with his aversion to DL-103s and it's variants. Try the archives at VA for lots of info.
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rauliruegas
12,898 posts
 
Dear Johnbrown: I don't have an aversion on the 103 that was my first MC cartridge and that I own along other 103 variants.

I agree with you that my opinion is an additional one, no doubt about.

+++++ " For the price, I've heard nothing better. " +++++

IMHO because maybe you never have the opportunity to do it but I an tell you for sure that a MM can convince you if you have the right set-up on it.

The subject is not who wins: you or me, NO the subject is according with the Narkleptic system whch could be a better alternative and for you can help in the best way you have to know his Pioneer SA-9800 that I owned and that I know exactly how to take out its best and certainly is not through MC.

Regards and ejoy the music,
Raul.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
The Denon 103's longevity is testimony to its' value and QPR despite the "opinions" of some posters.

It is clearly superior to many MM available today despite what you might read here.

IMO

Dealer disclaimer: I sell both MM and MC cartridges.
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