Quote Originally Posted by paddler
i read about that, someone thought it was maybe one level down but i dont have much power to spare. in the market for a new amp as well so if more severe maybe only a temporary problem
Hey Paddler,

What preamp with phono stage or external phono preamp are you using?
Getting a new amp may not resolve the problem, but a different phono stage should.
But your current setup may work out just fine. If you have around 40dB of gain in MM setting, the Denon DL-110 will work just fine.

DL-110 is defintely one of my favorite carts.
I have yet to mount the AT-440LMA I have laying around so I cannot compare, but I cannot get enough of what DL-110 has to offer. DL-160 has the same stylus as DL-301mk2. If DL-160 sounds anywhere between DL110 and 301mk2, then it must be a killer cart. I don't know how your system sounds, and the sound of your preference. But the Shure M97xE sounds depressingly dark and dead to my ears. Denon DL-110 has wide and warm sound that reminds me of why I got into analog in the first place. Not neutral, just great.