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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
 
T-Bone,
As it happens, the PL-50 designation was re-used by Pioneer. The one I have is the "first" model, from the early '70s. It features a lovely and massive wood plinth, belt drive, and S-tonearm.

It looks very similar to the PL-41, except for its semi-automatic operation. From what I understand, this is a solid unit, which, properly set-up, can sound quite good, though it's by no means a true audiophile table.

Thank you all for the detailed responses! This has been a most helpful discussion.
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Narkleptic, thanks for letting me know. I didn't know of that PL-50 model. I am
familiar with the PL-41.
jdgjr
3 posts
 
I have a stock DL103 on my Thorens TD160. I am using it with a Denon AU300LC step up transformer and I'm very very happy with it. I use a Pro-ject Tube Box II phono stage on MM setting, along with the Denon transformer. When I take the Denon transformer out of the chain and switch the Pro-ject to MC setting, it is still good but not quite the same. I love the full, up-front sound of the DL103. I would try it before spending more.
mikeyc8
174 posts
 
Viridian, just wanted to clarify and confirm what you said because this is newer for me. The lighter stock 103 is better for heavier arms and the heavier Zu is better for medium mass arms, is that correct?
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