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Back-Up Low Output MC For My Arkiv B?

Any suggestions on a back-up, low output MC cartridge to replace my Arkiv B when it goes in for a rebuild? It would go on an LP12/Ekos. Phono pre is a Pass XONO, so looking for an output of no more than the Arkiv's (0.4), since this is almost too much for the Xono in MC configuration with all the attenuation jumpers installed....Budget would be $ 500 or less (ideally less). For that price point, I guess a Denon 103/104, several Ortofons, and several Dynavectors might fit the bill, but I have no experience with anythin other than Linn carts (Klyde, Arkiv)
128x128alexc
alexc's avatar
alexc OP
265 posts
 
Thank, Viriridan. The questionnow is..which one? There are several for sale on Audiogon ranging from the 103R to the 103S to the 103QC1...plus of ocurse the ones available direclty from Denon USA....Any specific recommendation outof all of these? Thanks!
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c123666
871 posts
 
I spoke with Denon USA a few days ago and found that the DL103 and the DL103D are available and that is it for the 103 line; ie, no "R" or limited editions through Denon USA. That's the bad news; the good news is the DL103 is $ 150.00 plus 5 bux shipping...such a deal! The DL103D is 348.00 so quite a bit pricier. I ordered a DL103 as I could not pass it up at that price; that is what people are trying to sell them for used.

Carl
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twl
3,251 posts
 
Marty, the regular 103 for $150 is the conical, although I have heard some refer to it as spherical. Either way, it is a very small contact section. This stylus shape is much more forgiving regarding alignments, than elliptical or especially line contact types. I tend to prefer the simple stylus shapes. My current Shelter 501 is elliptical. That is about as long as I would like to go.

The 103D and the 103S have the elliptical styli, and are more expensive. They are also the medium compliance family, compared to the 103 and 103R, which are very low compliance.
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