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Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

RE: Whatever the problem, it isn't the 103, if aligned properly and correct VTF.

No, let's diagnose my equipment. That keeps coming as a possible factor here, so I suggest we put that to rest. You tell me: What's forward sounding and harsh about rebuilt Quad 57s, Cardas Quadlink 5C, and a 6V6 based tube rectified integrated amp? The answer is "nothing". It's the cartridge. I've experimented with VTA and VTF to no avail. Just got through with a pair of Telefunken 12AX7s replacing the Raytheon black plates I was using and the sound changed a little, but did not cure the stridency of the Denon. The reason I listed what I was using in my first post was that I thought it might shed some light on the loading characteristics, something that I don't quite understand, and that could explain the issue. But the repeated suggestions that it's the rest of the system or that it's my preamp tubes are not logical. My cd player doesn't sound like this. Neither do my other cartridges, yet the Denon is the one that's supposed to be "warm and romantic" with forgiving highs. It's not. It has a lovely, refined midrange combined with an excessive, fatiguing metallic quality and unbearable upper mid sheen. Cymbals, the edges of vocal transients, guitars, etc are just awful. What. Is. The. Deal?

See, because again...I think this cartridge just sounds this way. I've tried it on three different arms and three different tables. I think that it has a bombastic quality that is initially alluring and then you people are convincing yourself that it sounds better than it actually does.

So....

1)Please tell me, specifically, what is wrong with my setup. I've revealed everything in the chain.

2)Take out a few pieces of vinyl from your collection wherein you also have the comparably mastered cd version of the same title. Play both and tell me which is smoother or more neutral. The Denon is brighter, isn't it?

3) If your Denon sounds warm, laid back, and smooth, then please tell me exactly how you're using it (table, preamp, tubes, arm, etc).




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