In a recent review on our sister site Stereophile , I stated that the Clearaudio Signature turntable is "a solid machine," but then I asked myself, "How about one of the most iconic MC cartridges of all time, the..., new to design? ?" Denon DL-103R, now produced in collaboration with Devon Turnbull of OJAS as Denon DL-103o?
I further noted that "the richness, high color saturation and vibrant personality of the DL-103o were on full display thanks to the Signature [top] and Tracer [tonearm] combination, perhaps more organized than on my defunct Kuzma Stabi Stogi -Turntable." , with Clearaudio's characteristic sophistication and order clearly evident.
Apparently the Denon DL-103o moving coil cartridge (very affordable at $549) worked well with this Clearaudio Signature console ($5k) and the Clearaudio Tracer arm ($3.3k). Still, I wanted to delve deeper into this MC cart to see how it would perform with a phono preamp other than the Manley Chinook ($3,000), some SUTs, and more boards. I thought the best way to do this would be here at AP , so here we are.
History, features and specifications.
But first a little history. The Denon DL-103R is a variant of Denon's original DL-103, one of the most popular MC cartridges of all time. In the 1990s, the best way to buy a DL-103 was from a German importer who sold it on eBay. But due to growing demand and possibly the resurgence of vinyl, Denon has resumed mass production of its popular cartridge, a playback standard of radio stations and professional studios since 1964. The 103R variant features a 0.2mm thick square diamond stylus. , 2.5 g tracking force, 20 Hz to 45 kHz frequency response and 0.25 mV output voltage. It weighs 8.5g, making it a natural choice for heavier, older arms.
Differences between 103 and 103R include OFC copper windings and a lighter coil structure. The 103R has lower efficiency than the 103 and the internal impedance of the 103R is lower than that of the 103. In general, a lighter coil structure means cleaner and more detailed. and a more dynamic sound.
And now we have our test subject, the DL-103o. Denon's website states that the DL-103o cart is a "limited edition of our flagship DL-103R," [and] features high-quality 6N copper voice coils and a custom design created in collaboration was developed with high-end artist and sound engineer Devon Turnbull. Tuned by our sound master, it enhances every record player and brings out the soul of every song. Features of this MC cart include a tapered pin, low compliance design, low mass pin coil developed by Turnbull, the audio innovator. Upstart, also known as OJAS.
That's basically all the information available in this shopping cart on the company's website. However, you can read more about the 103o in our own Analog Gear News article published here on AP on June 3, 2024, but we also have the following blurb in the cart. on Denon's YouTube channel: "When audio artist Devon Turnbull (aka OJAS) collaborated with Denon to create a special edition of the [Denon DL-103R], he took a different approach. Instead of optimizing the sound, he designed the limited edition DL-103o with a transparent casing, inviting audiophiles to admire the fine craftsmanship inside. We like to think of it as the window to the soul of your Hi-Fi system.
Does a clear plastic case change the sound of an original 103R? Ultimately it has to be that way. When it comes to sound, any change can affect it. Since I didn't have an original DL-103R at home, I tried evaluating the DL-103o with various phono preamplifiers and step-up transformers (SUT).
the configuration
For this test, I used the DL-103o cart with and without a step-up transformer, the aforementioned Clearaudio Signature console with that tracer arm, as well as the Manley Chinook phono preamps and Tavish Audio Design Adagio, the Riviera hybrid integrated amplifier. Get up, Voxative. Ampeggio and SUT speakers from Bob's Devices and Auditorium 23. Cabling was from Triode Wire Labs (interconnects), Auditorium 23, Iconoclast and Anti-Cables (speakers).
One problem right from the start: the DL-103o weighs 8.5g, a lighter cartridge compared to the Hana Umami Blue (10g) or the Ortofon MC Quintet Mono Cart (9g), which I used in the Clearaudio test. Although not common practice for audiophiles, I added a penny to the top of the Tracer's body to achieve the 103o's recommended tracking force of 2.5g.
Listening sessions
Lately I've been enjoying records from Chicago-based label International Anthem Recording Company. The music ranges from DJ cut and mixed jazz to chamber music and free jazz improvisation. One of her albums that I really enjoyed is bassist Anna Butterss' new LP, Mighty Vertebrate (IARC0086), which was released earlier this month (so October 2024). The label's website states: "Since moving from Australia to Los Angeles in 2014, Butterss has become a fixture on tour and in the studio. He has gained recognition among celebrities from the worlds of indie, jazz and pop music, including Makaya McCraven, Phoebe Bridgers, Jason Isbell, Andrew Bird and Daniel Villarreal, but his most notable contributions to the West Coast's burgeoning creative music scene have been as a lead member of Jeff Parker's ETA IVtet and the proto-trance supergroup SML.
Mighty Vertebrate is very attractive and typical of imaginative musicians raised on hip-hop, electronic music and jazz, combining genres whose production is often altered by computer manipulation. Think DJ Shadow meets drummer Chris Dave meets FSOL. Mighty Vertebrate brings together a collection of moods, jams, beats, ambient washes and themes reminiscent of a good soundtrack, with sci-fi themes balanced by nature games and misty drone views. It's acoustic, it's electronic and it has rhythm . Mighty Vertebrate also recalls the '90s work of Harold Budd, Jon Hassell and David Toop, whose ever-changing perspectives are infused with synthesizers and percussion. I was often reminded of the majesty of the classic Chicago post-rock band Tortoise.
When played through the $3,000 Manley Chinook phono preamplifier, the DL-103o impressed me with its clarity, impressive tonal depth, and commendable treble extension. The overall sound was quite flat compared to a better car, but the DL-103o's vibrancy and transparency made the music bounce and vibrate.
Switching to the cheaper ($1.5k) Adagio phono preamp from Tavish Audio Design made the music more mature, saturated, and with deeper but powerful bass. The Manley offered a larger acoustic window and a cleaner view of the Denon car, highlighting its flaws and providing better transparency. The Tavish, a more forgiving phono stage, tended to overlook the Denon's imperfections and presented a lusher, richer, less balanced, but also less spirited performance.
By keeping the Tavish in series and adding a Bob's Devices SKY step-up transformer ($1,375) for the DL-103o, the music improved much more than switching phono stages. Once the SKY SUT was installed, the Clearaudio desktop's left and right channel outputs were fed to the device and then to the phono preamp via separate connections. The ground wires did the same. The result was a sonic transformation: a revelation. The presence and scale became monumental, a soundscape of gigantic proportions. The tone was consistently high. The once meager highs now shine with saturated fullness, while the mids and lows deepen and take on a deep, almost subterranean quality. The soundstage has expanded: a huge and immersive effect. Weight and depth have also been significantly improved. This was a remarkable improvement – a testament to the transformative power of a well-designed and tailored IVU.
Next up was my Auditorium 23 A23 MC SUT, an old workhorse in my audio arsenal. Developed by Keith Aschenbrenner and costing just $999 at the time, this little wonder is practically a must-have for anyone who enjoys the sonic delights of Ortofon SPU cartridges or Shindo Labs hardware, and I am one of them. on these two points. A sleek, minimalist device, the A23 has transformed the gritty energy of the SKY SUT into a more refined, crystal-clear sound. While the bass remained robust and resonant, the strings sang with new clarity and precision. The treble has also been polished to a diamond shine, providing greater transparency and detail while remaining bright and rich. In this refined environment, vinyl seemed to shine, its essence revealed with unparalleled depth and purity through the DL-103o and A23 SUT.
Conclusions
Although the DL-103o offers attractive value for MC cartridges in the $500 range, it can feel a bit harsh compared to its more expensive siblings. Its strengths lie in its lively dynamics, its balanced sound and its engaging character, which make it a worthy opponent to the similarly priced Hana EL MC. However, those looking for more extended highs, richer, smoother mids, deeper bass and a more powerful dynamic presentation may want to consider more expensive high-end MC cars if their budget allows.
Still, the Denon DL-103o MC cartridge has transformed its modest price into outstanding performance when paired with worthy components. Each partnership revealed new facets of his character, his appeal and fun factor growing with each revelation. I was amazed at the spectacular changes brought about by the various phono preamps and SUTs. Choose your component combinations wisely and the DL-103o could well take pride of place among your most prized MC cartridges.
You can find more information about Denon here .
To find an authorized Denon dealer, click here .
Author Bio: Ken Micallef, former musician, former artist and former financier, has written numerous hi-fi reviews for Stereophile and Analog Planet and his name has also appeared in Mojo, Electronic Musician and The Grammys. You can also find it on YouTube ( Ken Micallef Jazz Vinyl Audiophile ).
Photos of the Denon DL-103o MC cartridge courtesy of Denon. All other photos in this review are by Ken Micallef.
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