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RE: Denon DL-S1 vs DL-103SA

> > Do you have any experience with re-tipped 103/103R's, specifically with something like Soundsmith's LC styli or Expert Stylus' paratracer, and, if so, how would they compare to something like the DL-S1 in say a medium mass arm and also a much higher mass arm (which should in theory benefit the 103/103R-your comments are welcome on that as well), specifically with an improved body on the 103/103R (either wood or aluminum). < <

I don't have experience with modern re-tipped 103 in my own turntables but I've heard VdH and Soundsmith re-tips in other systems. And in the 70s you could get Shibata re-tips of the 103, which I did hear in gear I was using 30 years ago. Certainly a line-contact or other ultra-tracing diamond configuration has its merits and it does change the character of a 103. The motor still imposes its characteristic tone-dense presentation but in general I think these stylus shapes over-resolve recordings, particularly anything close-mic'd and hotted up by the engineers. I suppose if all you listened to were 50s 2 and 3 point orchestral recordings into vacuum tube consoles this kind of re-tip would be unconditionally advantageous, but against a broad range of modern recordings, they are a mixed blessing. I mean, why not just buy a Benz, Lyra or Clearaudio? My main regret is that Denon doesn't make the 103D (elliptical stylus). That's the perfect blend of tone and just-enough tracing intricacy. The best cartridges in terms of musical realism and emotional engagement prioritize big-T TONE over ultimate resolution.

The thing about Denon's moving coil cartridges is, as someone else noted, they come from a seriously engineering-driven organization with comparatively vast resources for the current state of hifi. Their cartridges are / were holistically conceived and while they aren't as blatantly "voiced" as perhaps a Koetsu, they are a take on what phonographic reproduction should sound like. Dissecting that, cherry-picking the elements, intrudes on that synergistic combination that Denon's engineers chose. I recall that about 1975 when the 103S was current, people generally thought "S" indicated a Shibata stylus. Not so -- it was elliptical. When I noticed that in the specs I asked a Denon rep about it when I was working part time in high-end hifi during college. He said, "Oh no, certainly not....they try everything and the Shibata would sound too clinical." Put another way: What's the point of making a Denon moving coil sound more like a Dynavector? Ugh....

But if you strongly like the tonal character of the 103 motor and crave an nth degree of definition, by all means get a Soundsmith LC re-tip. It will move the cartridge in that direction, but it will also make set-up less forgiving. Very few people have the patience or experience or the tools to perfect a line-contact set-up.

The DL-S1's rated compliance is 14 @ 100 Hz. General rule of thumb is that the proper 10 Hz rating is reached by multiplying the 100 Hz rating 1.8X. If so, a truer compliance rating of ~25 puts it in high-compliance territory. A medium mass arm has lots of compatibility latitude. And of course opinions about exactly what is the range of acceptable arm/cartridge system resonance vary considerabily. At some point the arm is too light and at another it's too heavy. But where? Show me a hard line and I'll show you someone successfully using a cartridge/tonearm combination who is violating your rule. For the DL-S1, medium mass is safe. It works well in a Rega RB1000, as does a DL 305. But I've seen DL-S1s in Infinity Black Widows, too, with no trouble, too.

Will it sound better in the heavier arm? Well, it will sound different. Same is true for a 103 in a medium mass arm like a Rega vs. say a Fidelity Research or Ortofon. I have a Denon DA302 tonearm. This is Denon's first broadcast tonearm from about 1965. It has a headshell that can only take a 103. Its effective mass isn't published but I can tell you from contextual experience it isn't particularly heavy. It's an extended length arm, but not a full 12". Also not as short as a 10". It's its own thing. But it is Denon's definitive view of what a 103 was supposed to sound like in 1965, which is supremely musical. It isn't the dreadnought arm the resonance religionists pound lecterns about today.

The heavier arms do bring out the 103's signature euphonic colorations to a blooming density of presence that is highly seductive, but it's a distinctly less objective, truthful sound than the lighter but still quite robust presentation of same in a medium mass arm. Also, the 103D I still listen to so much was higher compliance than the current 103 and 103r. But the actual dynamic behavior of the newer cartridges doeasn't seem observably different.

Wood vs. aluminum bodies? Again, that motor enclosed in anything is materially affected. The stock body is intentionally lossy, and frankly there's nothing wrong with it. It's part of the holistic voicing. The body alternatives take a supremely musical motor and season its sonic performance in different ways. On the UWE site, he mentions audible but subtle differences between the various woods he offers. He's right. I've heard wood body 103s, stone body, nude, aluminum and even once a DIY ceramic. The wood bodies are satisfying and romantic. Aluminum nudges the cartridge to a clean, more neutral sound with punchy dynamics. In Zu's case, the guys were pre-disposed to metal for the precision of machining. I'd like to try more metals. I think copper could be quite right. Overall, the body materials are just another means of voicing. Perhaps I'd go for ebony, but the Zu103 in aluminum so far seems the best pure body mod, and it's the right mass for the ubiquitous medium mass tonearms of the early 21st century.

> > Secondly, would you agree that, although the 103/103R can function and sound well in a medium mass arm that they, ultimately, sound much better in a higher mass design (say 20-25 grams effective mass) in either stock or improved (wood or aluminum) body? < <

Again, in higher mass arms, the 103 series certainly sound different against their sound in medium mass arms. My Stax UA-70 has an effective mass of 18 or 19g if I recall correctly. But cartridge body weight (the Zu103 is 14g against 7.5g stock) and the headshell options can bulk it up. How about a Koetsu 19.2g headshell?? Well, I have one. That arm with Koetsu headshell and Zu body on the cart is definitely higher mass than a stock 103 in Denon's own vintage arm that is equipped with a lossy plastic headshell. The differences are entertaining and even insightful, but it would be incorrect to say the 103 in the heaviest of my current arms sounds "better" than in the Rega RB1000. The stock Denon or the Zu (extra counterweight mass needed) in the RB1000 is the more accurate if less seductive presentation and there's no lack of drive.

The resolution of even modest modern phono sections is well up to the task of revealing these differences. Even an inexpensive Bellari or Clearaudio Nano will easily put differences on display. Any number of affordable integrated amps driving reasonably responsive and resolving speakers will let you hear, with headphones being a special aid for orienting yourself if you're experientially limited.

Last, on 103 vs. 103r. If you have enough gain for it, 103r. 103 if you're an unreformed romantic and you don't like to fuss. 103r if you like an appropriate nod to modernity in your sound and don't mind taking a little more care in set-up and ongoing tweaking. The 103r is a slightly more objective and revealing 103. You just have to wish the 103D will reach the top of Denon's to-do list. Did I get to everything?

Phil







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