Denon DL-103 DL 103 DL103 phono cartridge -  low output moving coil

Denon DL-103 DL 103 DL103 Phono Cartridge - low output moving coil

SKU: DENONDL103

  • $349.00

DENON DL-103 DL 103 DL103 PHONO CARTRIDGE

"For the first round-up, I was initially to have received the slightly upscale version of Denon's venerable DL-103 (the "R" version)—favored by none another than Dave Wilson, regardless of price, for its tonal accuracy and overall balance—but instead perhaps due to a communication mix-up, I ended up with the straight DL-103. Whichever model you consider, at $379 and $229 respectively, this true classic, which has been in production since I got into this hobby in the mid-70s, must be counted among audio's most remarkable values."
- Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, October 2010, Issue 206, p36

The Denon DL-103 phono cartridge is the only moving coil cartridge that has withstood the test of time. Developed by Denon in collaboration with the Japan Broadcasting Corporation Technical Research Laboratories as a high-performance, high-reliability phono cartridge for broadcasting purposes, the Denon DL-103 has been in continuous production since 1963.

While other "wonder" cartridges have come and gone, the Denon DL-103 continues to thrive by offering musical rightness. There is no other cartridge that comes close to its legacy. The Denon DL-103 phono cartridge has been in use for a long time in public and commercial AM and FM broadcasting stations. It was used by EMI and Decca as their reference for evaluating LP sound quality. It's been evaluated, reviewed and praised by many publications and end-users. It's been around for over 40 years. Along the way, it has captured the hearts and minds of technical experts, audiophiles and music lovers. It's a testament that greatness endures. This is what comes with your ownership of a Denon DL-103. It is a phono cartridge that you will enjoy for a very long time.

Denon DL-103 Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving coil
- Output voltage: 0.3mV
- Frequency response: 20Hz-45kHz
- Output impedance: 40 ohms
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: < 1db
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 25dB
- Stylus tip: 0.2 mm special round solid diamond
- Compliance: 5 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Recommended tracking force: 2.5 +/- 0.3g
- Color: Black
- Weight: 8.5 g
- Recommended load resistance: 100 ohms or more

Reviews
http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Denon.html

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
100%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
T
Thomas LaMantia (Carolina Beach, US)
"Classic excellence" Denon DL-103

Finally after many years of reading 5 star reviews on this classic cartridge from
Denon, I bought one from LP Tunes. The reviews always cautioned how the 103
needs a high mass tonearm to really work well and if you had a medium or low mass tonearm, you should look at other suggested cartridges. Made perfect sense
to me so I passed on the 103. Then I discovered how a resonance calculator worked, and plugged in my tonearm and cartridge numbers. My Technics SL-1600 tonearm plus the Zupreme headshell and the 103, weighed in at 28 gr. The "low compliance" DL-103 has a stated 5 cu., but is really higher, more like 9 cu. That actually calculated to 10.026 hz. resonance......dead on middle of the 8-12 hz.
recommendation for the 103. So the numbers work, and my NAD preamp could
nicely handle the low output of a MC cartridge, what does it sound like. HOLY
EXPLETIVE ! Deeper bass and mids than any of my Shures, with highs like
Audio Technica, but will never make your ears bleed. It tracks beautifully with
low surface noise. So sweet. Run your resonance numbers and just get one from LP Tunes.


JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Stay in the loop with LP Tunes sales, promotions & deals!

★ Reviews ★

Let customers speak for us

3605 reviews
94%
(3373)
6%
(203)
0%
(12)
0%
(4)
0%
(8)
s
Stylus for ADC Integra XLM III cartridge
scott rindge (Las Vegas, US)

Stylus for ADC Integra XLM III cartridge

Great Customer Service

It was a pleasure doing business with LP Tunes. I got the part I needed without any difficulty. Fast delivery. Highly recommended for my vinyl friends...

J
Dual TK14 TK24 236-242 Cartridge Carrier
John Svensson (Lititz, US)
Dual TK14 Cartridge Sled

A simple part, however having bought one off the Bay which had incorrect leads, this one actually does the job on my 2 12xx series tables.

Stylus for Mitsubishi X-10 is fantastic

I recently purchased a replacement stylus for my Mitsubishi X 10 turntable. I’ve been looking a suitable replacement for some time and found it difficult to find a good quality option.. the folks at LP tunes were very helpful in providing me suggestions as to the best option available to match the OEM performance of the original cartridge. The replacement they provided was amazing. It provided excellent audio quality and is very similar to the OEM cartridge.

C
Replacement for Pioneer PN-330 PN330 stylus
Chris Cummins (Chesapeake, US)
Customer service

Great

Very Happy!

This product is exactly what I needed. I'm happy with the price and shipping time.

Turntable Replacement Belt

The replacement belt for my Pioneer PL-590 turntable was a perfect fit. Shipping was ultra-fast with no problems. Thanks.

E
BSR ADC 1510-FG Turntable Replacement Belt
Eduard Strizhev (Toronto, CA)
Great

Good quality rubber. Great selection of sizes.