SL-1200MK2 Cart: Denon 110 or Denon 103?

[Twinhit]

Opinions please:

I am eyeballing the Denon DL-110 for my bone stock Technics SL-1200 MK2PK table.
I think it would work with the 1200 and my preamp.

Also a Denon DL-103 "may" be a consideration but am unsure about it's compatiblility with the 1200 arm and what step-up transformers are avail.


Denon DL-110

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/denon/dl-110.shtml


Description

To enable more people to enjoy the excellent sound quality of moving coil (MC type) cartridges, the DL-110 has been developed by using Denon's state of the art MC cartridge manufacturing know-how.

It is a high output MC cartridge which can be used with the ease of MM type cartridge.

The cartridge has excellent characteristics such as its tracing ability, comparable to higher priced models and the flat frequency response and excellent sound quality.

The DL-110 is a high output type MC which can be connected directly to the MM position of the amplifier without step-up transformers or head amplifiers.



Specifications

Generating method: moving coil

Output voltage: 1.6mV

L/R sensitivity: within 1dB

L/R separation: more than 25dB

Electrical impedance: 160 ohms

Stylus tip: 0.1 x 0.2mm special elliptical diamond

Stylus force: 1.8g (+-0.3g)

Frequency range: 20Hz to 45kHz

Weight: 4.8g

Load resistance: more than 47kOhms


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my Pre-amp
BBE FJB-200X - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... rc=3WDTWXX

It appears to be an exact clone of the Rolls VP29, below, but painted and
marketed under the BBE brand lable




Rolls VP29 Phono Preamp




SPECIFICATIONS

I/ O Connectors: RCA, 1/8" TRS Stereo

Input Sensitivity: 35 dBV gain @

1kHz, 47k Ohms Input Z

Input Capacitance: 5pf + cable capacitance

Input Impedance: 50k Ohms

Output Impedance: 1 K Ohms

Max Output Level: >10dB @ 1kHz at at 1% dist.

Frequency Response: + / - 1.5dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz

(Conforms to RIAA

Equalization Curve)

THD .02% @ 1 kHz

S/N Ratio: >80 dB unweighted

PWR: 12 - 18 VDC

Size: 3.25 x 2 x 1.5

Weight: 1 lb

http://www.rolls.com/pdf/M_VP29.pdf

[Alec124c41]

You can't go wrong with a DL-110.
Check Comet Supply. They seem to have more stock now.

Cheers,
Alec

[Trackside]

The DL-110 is a better choice - it will work without having to purchase extra ancillaries like a heavier headshell and SUT which will be needed for the DL-103 to work properly.

[Sandbah 92]

I use the DL110 on my totally stock 1200mkII. Sounds great in every respect!

[Twinhit]

You can't go wrong with a DL-110.
Check Comet Supply. They seem to have more stock now.

Cheers,
Alec

Thank you, Alec.

[Twinhit]

The DL-110 is a better choice - it will work without having to purchase extra ancillaries like a heavier headshell and SUT which will be needed for the DL-103 to work properly.

Thank you, Trackside.
I am feeling pretty good about the 110 now that have read some reviews
and personal opinions provided here on VE and I think it will be my next
purchase.

As for the DL-103, (and possibly the DL-103R) For Future Referance:
What step up transformers would be more than adequate yet economical for these models and other pricier moving coils up to around $600 max? (or perhaps how to choose step-up transformers for x brand/model MC cart)

Would the weighted Technics Headshell and counterweight be sufficient?

thanks again.

[Twinhit]

I use the DL110 on my totally stock 1200mkII. Sounds great in every respect!

Awesome. I'm really liking the reviews that have been given the cart but wasn't
sure so far as the 1200 application was concerned.
Thank you, Sandbah.

[Twinhit]

Alec, Track, Sand.
Guys, thanks for each your input.
I've shared this link along with my findings with a friend
who has a SL-3200 and he was impressed by what he was reading, too.
So, fellas, thanks. Hats off to each of you.

[bauzace50]

HI,
saw this thread rather late,but here's a vote for the DL-110. Great cartridge which is also inexpensive.

Regards,
bauzace50

[Twinhit]

HI,
saw this thread rather late,but here's a vote for the DL-110. Great cartridge which is also inexpensive.

Regards,
bauzace50

Thanks ace.

Audiogon's Ferrari's Review - http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.p ... &read&3&4&
(note: Ferrari follows up answering other member's questions which were
informative, as well.)

Kobesky Review - http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue15/denondl110.htm

Soiled's review (with audio a/b test!)- http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showth ... p?t=441897
IMHO, this is the way comparison tests should be done.

Amazon User Reviews - http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DL-110-Outp ... non+dl-110

Needle Doctor's user reviews DL-110 - http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DL-110-Cartridge

Their comments and others elswhere have all been positive, comments here
have been positive, too.
I think it's the one I am going to get. I honestly don't see the need,
at this point in time, to invest in the more esoteric equipment.

I'll be graduating from an Ortofon OM Pro DJ cart.
The OM Pro is a spherical MM or MI (I forget which) and while
it does sound pretty darned good, I am told that I should expect to
see improvement with a standard Hifi type cartridge anyway, so....
The OM Super 10,20,30,40,78 has been on my list as well.

The Audio-Technica AT440MLA is another that has been on this list
There was another one that stood out but I cannot recall the name.

The Shure M97xE has also been on my list. For my budget, the M97xE is
attractive in the way of casual listening whereas the Denon DL-110 is when
you want to really listen to the music.

The next step up the MC ladder from the DL-110 would seem to be the DL-103 or DL-103R after that, there may be couple of others and then the Dynavector 10x5, which I think would be my personal absolute extreme limit that I am probably willing to go.
One thing is for sure, I do enjoy reading about the equipment and what lengths some are willing to go to in search of vinyl nervana. I feel I can learn an aweful lot from their experiences even if I don't ever go down the road of ultra high end equipment.

I am honestly very, very content with my SL-1200.

[Trackside]

The DL-110 is a better choice - it will work without having to purchase extra ancillaries like a heavier headshell and SUT which will be needed for the DL-103 to work properly.

Thank you, Trackside.
I am feeling pretty good about the 110 now that have read some reviews
and personal opinions provided here on VE and I think it will be my next
purchase.

As for the DL-103, (and possibly the DL-103R) For Future Referance:
What step up transformers would be more than adequate yet economical for these models and other pricier moving coils up to around $600 max? (or perhaps how to choose step-up transformers for x brand/model MC cart)

Would the weighted Technics Headshell and counterweight be sufficient?

thanks again.

The DL-103 has specific SUT requirements which may not suit other carts. The Technics headshell is too short for the DL-103 to align properly - The Sumiko is both heavier and has longer slots ( and has adjustable azimuth)For the DL-103 to work properly it also needs a spacer and even more mass + extra added weight to the CW

[Alec124c41]

The DL-301 II might be a better choice than the 103. Its higher compliance makes it better suited to the arm, has a higher output, more sophisticated stylus and construction, and a lovely sound.

Cheers,
Alec

[Twinhit]

The DL-301 II might be a better choice than the 103. Its higher compliance makes it better suited to the arm, has a higher output, more sophisticated stylus and construction, and a lovely sound.

Cheers,
Alec

Thanks Alec, And Trackside....

I was beginning to suspect that the 103 was a pain in the way special equipment
that can be expensive or hard to find by comparison of it's nearest competing designs.

Thanks Alec for suggesting the 301 as an alternative choice to the 103.

Well, I bit the bullet and went with the DL-110 for now. Waay too many positive
reviews for it, not to give it a try. I am hoping that it will exceed my expectations as I am going from an Ortofon OM Pro DJ cart, which came with my table, to this.

btw, thanks for the lead to Comet Supply. A friend is also very interested in this cart since I shared it with him so, you'll probably deserve an extra kudos on this one.
Thanks

[Trackside]

The DL-301 II might be a better choice than the 103. Its higher compliance makes it better suited to the arm, has a higher output, more sophisticated stylus and construction, and a lovely sound.

Cheers,
Alec

More expensive carts are nearly always better performing and hence a better choice