Initial Impressions: Part 1 of a Long Term Review of the Denon DL-103R

We've been experimenting with cartridges on our turntable, to see if we can get an improvement in our analog sound.  Given we have a Jelco 750E tonearm, it can handle a large number of cartridges. Once you get in the rarefied air of the so-called super-carts (usually in the more-than-a-kilobuck variety), it may require a better arm to get acceptable performance (high fuss/high reward).

Amongst a few candidates we have considered, we found a real standout, that is showing to be such a real value that we want to share right away:  The Denon DL-103R.  MSRP is $379, but the street price is closer to $250.  Link: Denon USA's DL-103R

It was originally developed in 1963 for use in radio, TV and recording studios - so it was made to be rather robust and easy to align (you can do so by eyeballing it).  It has been in continuous production in one form or another for the last 50 years, and has been very popular, possibly the best selling moving coil cartridge of all time.

Arrival and mounting

Given we wanted to have a realistic user experience, we decided to mount it following the directions that came in the box with the cartridge.  The Denon directions are clear, and easy to read - the only tool we used was a ruler to make sure we achieved the overhang the Arm requires.  The rest of the procedure involves eyeballing the straightness of the cart in the headshell, and minding the pinout that the Denon seemed to want.  We will go back and attempt to optimize the alignment with our tools, but we thought the first experience ought to be the way a regular user might do.

Once we got the cart mounted and eyeballed, we played a few tracks to see how well it did after only a few hours of break-in (we will have to revisit them as the cart settles in). Of course all of us, once we mount a cart, want to start playing records.  We've found that sometimes things sound horrid right out of the box, and take some time to "break in."  The Denon sounded constricted at first, and after a couple of album sides as a warmup, noticeably opened up.  We also found ourselves turning the volume down over the course of the evening - the cart seemed to be getting louder as it played, and more dynamic.  Again, we know we'll have to re-listen, but if you pick one of these things up, you will have a picture of what to expect as the cart runs in. 

Ella and Louis

It was clear at the needle drop that vocal Jazz lost a touch of the magic brought forward by the Grado in the male voices.  Female voices gained a little in the transaction.  Overall, it took a half step back from the best we've heard, and we'd have to admit that the Grado carried the day here.  Nevertheless, the playback was excellent, with better bass and detail than our trusty Grado, but an ever so slight reduced presence with "Isn't It a Lovely Day."  We felt that we were in a private performance, but the holographic presence was less distinct (but still there).  In such a good recording and record, it is clear that the Denon won't extract every last scintilla of detail, but will deliver a great deal of enjoyment.  Of course, we reserve the right to change our opinions once the cart breaks in all the way, and once we do a precision alignment.  What was surprising was how well it did given that it cost less than half the Grado's price, and that it was more or less just 'plopped in' to the turntable and it wasn't fully broken in.

Best of Bread

We picked this up a few weeks ago, used, and it wasn't a special pressing or anything.  Wow - this played much fuller and richer and more detailed on the Denon than we heard on the Grado.  It was such a good rendition that we honestly wondered if you would ever want for more!  The music was effusive in a very good way, and there was such a flow that we were saddened when the side ended and we moved on.  (That is an understatement for my reaction. This album sounded like the quintessential vinyl experience from my youth with this cartridge. I knew songs from the album, but never quite realized they were performed by Bread. I actually stopped doing what I was doing just to sit and listen to some tracks. [that take a lot, FYI]) It was pretty clear that this sort of music does really well with this sort of cart.

Genesis Trick of the Tail

Again, this was a used record we bought a couple of years ago. ($4 very well spent, thanks!) When we played it with the Grado, it seemed a bit bright in the recording.  The Ortofon sounded bright as well and a little mechanical.  With the Denon, it sounded natural and full. (And FABULOUS!!) We left thinking that perhaps this was the cartridge the mastering was optimized for given how well the DL-103R did.  Kathy exclaimed "This is all I need out of a cartridge!" While I would have reservations to that sweeping statement, I think the existence of the DL-103R makes it very difficult to justify spending more.  And as a side note,  "Squonk" is a song that left me cold in the past, but with this cartridge, I suddenly "got it" and enjoyed the song a tremendous amount for the first time.

Conclusions so far

The Denon had an overall warm character, and threw up a giant soundstage. While this review was started with an "eyeball" alignment (per the directions Denon gave) and wasn't broken in all the way, it did so well with the "average" recordings we have in our collection, that we think that it would be hard to justify alternatives at even three times the price.  We think the Grado has a strength in the midrange, however the Denon overall brings far more to the party.  When you consider the price, the value starts becoming quite clear.

Why the heck did we review an initial impression?

We wanted to start where the average person would start listening - after following the directions provided with the cartridge. We also wanted to acknowledge that many people will not have the alignment tools required for a more precise alignment, and that the manufacturer's directions only require a ruler and a good eye.  As we do a precision alignment, and as the sound changes as the cartridge breaks in, we hope to give a good feel for the entire ownership cycle.