Denon 103R arrived!!!

[royphil345]

That was pretty quick... No customs charges either... I thought maybe...

First impressions are mainly that it's way, way, way, way, way, way better than any cartridge I've ever owned before. I've been staying mostly near the $100.00 range. Even tried a Shure V-15VxMR...

It's my first low output moving coil, so I really couldn't say anything useful as far as comparing it to others or anything in the higher-priced spread... All I can say is that it completely kills and destroys any other MM or high output MC I've tried (haven't tried the Denons though). It's supposed to smooth out and produce more bass afer 20 hours or so... I couldn't care less... I'm LOVING it now.

So far I've tried a little rock, classical, and jazz. Completely satisfied with the 103R's performance on all. Played an old Living Stereo piano recording that always had considerable tracking distortion on louder passages no matter what cartridge I used, even the V-15... Sounded very clean, FAR more involving than ever before (that goes for EVERYTHING I've played so far). Not sure if it's because the cartridge tracks better, or if the old bearings in my old tonearm needed a heavier tracking cartridge to perform well. Everything sounds somehow more "stable", probably due to a better tonearm / cartridge match. So... Yes... For me, switching to a spherical stylus improved detail, air, tracking, etc... Who would have thought??? Was plenty dynamic for rock, with maybe a little extra energy in the midrange. The mids do not sound grainy or seem get in the way of detail or "life" on any style of music though. Just makes the music very easy to listen to. Jazz was very fun to listen to. Instruments sound very "alive". Big, spacious, 3-D soundstage. Drums sound amazing. Overall presentation just warm enough to be "comfortable". I've always preferred a warmer sound. Those who don't, or have one of those systems so sweet sounding that a little more detail, energy and zing usually improves things would probably be better off with something else.

That's about all I've got... Obviously, I couldn't be happier with this purchase. I was a little worried about paying this much for another cartridge I may not be thrilled with... Things worked out GREAT. HIGHLY recommended for anyone else using an older, higher-mass tonearm. Simply can't believe the difference. The music has "life" to it that I haven't heard on my system before. For the first time on my system, vinyl has truly gone from sounding different from digital to clearly better. Although, I did not spend as much on my digital source...

Thanks to jrhymeammo for making me check out the Denons!!! Was going to buy an Ortofon OM 20 Super. Would still like to know how those sound. Can't imagine being any happier though...