Making of the Denon DL-103 cartridge

[Eppie]

Jana is back on Youtube creating more beautifully produced videos. (You may be familiar with her work from Darko.) She visited the Denon factory in Shirakawa, Japan, where they produce the Denon DL-103 moving coil cartridge. These are produced by hand and she goes into quite a bit of detail. It takes 4 days to produce a batch of cartridges and I expected them to be very expensive but a quick search revealed pricing around $350 USD ($480 Cdn) which is comparable to similar offerings. Grab a favorite beverage and get set to chill for 15 minutes...

 

[Mikado463]

The cartridge continues to be well regarded after all these years. I believe it to be the longest continuously produced audio component in our hobby ?

Thanks for posting the vid Eppie !

 

[highfigh]

The cartridge continues to be well regarded after all these years. I believe it to be the longest continuously produced audio component in our hobby ?

Thanks for posting the vid Eppie !

I watched that last night- ineresting that they make them in batches of 15 pieces.

According to Wiki, "The DL103 was designed for professional broadcast use in 1962 using the arms and turntables of the day. Production has continued uninterrupted since then. There are available different versions upgraded by other companies or individuals involved in DIY audio."

I have a 103d, which I got in a trade in about 1981- it's great, but the low output makes it a bit difficult to find a suitable MC phono preamp, at times.

 

[TLS Guy]

I watched that last night- ineresting that they make them in batches of 15 pieces.

According to Wiki, "The DL103 was designed for professional broadcast use in 1962 using the arms and turntables of the day. Production has continued uninterrupted since then. There are available different versions upgraded by other companies or individuals involved in DIY audio."

I have a 103d, which I got in a trade in about 1981- it's great, but the low output makes it a bit difficult to find a suitable MC phono preamp, at times.

In that case I would use a transformer and connect to a standard RIAA MM input. That is often, if not always the best way to go.

 

[highfigh]

In that case I would use a transformer and connect to a standard RIAA MM input. That is often, if not always the best way to go.

I'm still using a Parasound P5 and the MC gain is close, but not quite enough- I don't listen too loudly, so it's just about enough for most LPs. I called the company and spoke with Richard Schramm about it and told him about the Sony equipment that I had owned which provided enough gain and when the P6 (replacement for the P5 after the noisy volume control problem), I saw that they added 10dB of gain to that section.

Do you have any recommendations for a transformer? I watched some videos and in come cases, microphone transformers were used, but I'm skeptical of most "I fixed this and you can, too!" videos when the impedance is important to the results.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm still using a Parasound P5 and the MC gain is close, but not quite enough- I don't listen too loudly, so it's just about enough for most LPs. I called the company and spoke with Richard Schramm about it and told him about the Sony equipment that I had owned which provided enough gain and when the P6 (replacement for the P5 after the noisy volume control problem), I saw that they added 10dB of gain to that section.

Do you have any recommendations for a transformer? I watched some videos and in come cases, microphone transformers were used, but I'm skeptical of most "I fixed this and you can, too!" videos when the impedance is important to the results.

Well, I see now we are in the age or audiophoolery, these devices now cost over a grand and are placed in "fancy boxes".

Any how good mc audio transformers were made by Ortofon. My father was an mc cartridge enthusiast and always used Orofon transformers.

There is one for sale on eBay now. I'm pretty sure the sticker price is higher then it was new, but still not a bad price.
These damn audiophools really have done a lot of damage!

 

[highfigh]

Well, I see now we are in the age or audiophoolery, these devices now cost over a grand and are placed in "fancy boxes".

Any how good mc audio transformers were made by Ortofon. My father was an mc cartridge enthusiast and always used Orofon transformers.

There is one for sale on eBay now. I'm pretty sure the sticker price is higher then it was new, but still not a bad price.
These damn audiophools really have done a lot of damage!

I saw one in a YouTube video, but the name escapes me- when I checked Ebay, they were asking about $400.

I searched and found this-

https://www.jensen-transformers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/jt-34k-dx.pdf

 

[TLS Guy]

I saw one in a YouTube video, but the name escapes me- when I checked Ebay, they were asking about $400.

I searched and found this-

https://www.jensen-transformers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/jt-34k-dx.pdf

Those Ortofon transformers are very good, and just go in the turntable leads. I think the one I linked is a fair price.

 

[highfigh]

Those Ortofon transformers are very good, and just go in the turntable leads. I think the one I linked is a fair price.

But, but, but, if I buy that, I can't use stupidly expensive cables with batteries and a special box, made from Hornbeam, or whatever MapleShade likes.

I just checked their site- they're insane- these ought to get you going-

Mapleshade Copper Ribbon Biwire Jumpers

shop.mapleshadestore.com

Mapleshade Tube Crowns & Halos

shop.mapleshadestore.com

 

[Verdinut]

But, but, but, if I buy that, I can't use stupidly expensive cables with batteries and a special box, made from Hornbeam, or whatever MapleShade likes.

I just checked their site- they're insane- these ought to get you going-

Mapleshade Copper Ribbon Biwire Jumpers

shop.mapleshadestore.com

Mapleshade Tube Crowns & Halos

shop.mapleshadestore.com

It's really insane what people can come up with to make money and also legally.

 

[highfigh]

It's really insane what people can come up with to make money and also legally.

I'm sure their lawyers were consulted and when they read the advertising claims, grabbed the marketing director by the collar and slapped their face, like in the cartoons, saying "YOU CAN'T WRITE THAT- THEY'LL SUE US TO OBLIVION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!".