Budget MC Suggestions?

The AT-OC9/II weighs 8 grams (don't know the value when expressing to tenths of a gram) and has a compliance rating of 9 cu.

I don't know if this cartridge sounds better than the Denon DL-103R but I seem to recall seeing several people post on Audio Asylum that they liked the AT more than the Denon.

I'm pretty sure the AT will put much less wear on your LPs than the DL-103R. The AT-OC9/II uses a microline stylus and recommends 1.25 -1.75 grams of tracking force. The DL-103R uses a conical stylus and requires 2.3 - 2.7 grams tracking force. A conical stylus has a smaller surface area contact with records than elliptical, Shibata, and Fineline styli. Thus, the higher tracking force coupled with smaller surface contact are means the DL-103R is likely to put more wear on your records. I love Denon cartridges but will never try these high tracking force, conical stylus versions because of the potential for excessive record wear.

One counter argument to keep in mind is this: The conical stylus will ride higher in the groove. If wear is more excessive, when it is time to replace the DL-103R, you can then change to an elliptical/fineline/Shibata design which will ride deeper in the groove and probably will bypass some of the wear.

Mr. Kidknow

I figure the Denon 103 would have a cartridge resonance of about 13Hz on your arm Winegasman,and this is just about perfect anyway and would be a good match.With resonance you have to get it away from the danger zone of below 8Hz really.To raise it to 13Hz is quite good and a figure I would be really happy with.This would not interfere with low level music signals coming in at say 15Hz(Church Organ)and is well away from the mechanical resonances of the table.Years ago Paol Ladegaard recommended 15-18Hz as the ideal.You are in no danger.

Thanks Stefani. If you're sure on the numbers then I guess I'm at these choices: (1) DL-103 or AT-OC9ML/II, and (2) a decent, inexpensive step-up transformer to mate with my Gram Amp 2SE. Thanks again, Rich

Now the compliance is either 5 or 6cu.These are my calculations-based on Total Weight-12.5gms for the arm plus fixtures(nuts and bolts)1gm,plus cartridge weight,8.5gms=22gms.Then you multiply this by the compliance(5cu vertical for the DL-103)Find the square root of this figure and divide it into 159.155(The magic formula)giving a cartridge resonance of 15Hz.Which is still fine as the Denon only goes down to 20Hz.I checked the Denon Japan site and they gave the compliance as 5cu although I had calculated for 6cu which I thought the cartridge was-my info is old or wrong? But either way you are O.K.It is low resonance which is the major problem.

Stefanl,

Denon measures their compliance value at 100 Hz. Several people have posted over on Audio Asylum that Denon Cartridges (at least the 103 series) typically have compliance values around double the advertized value when measuring in the 10 Hz range. For example, the DL-103 and DL-103R are advertized as having 5 cu but people have been finding it's more like ~ 9 cu. Using your weights and the 9 cu value, I get 11.3 Hz resonance.

I don't own any of the DL-103 series cartridges so I can't speak from direct experience on this issue.

Mr. Kidknow