royphil345 wrote:

Received 34 days ago

For this recommendation: Denon DL103 Moving Coil Phono Cartridge.

Great review.

I agree, the DL-103 delivers a good dose of what some of the very best moving coils sound like for a ridiculously low price. I'd say it's only faults are slightly weak vocals imaging (and that fault seems to disappear after I sit and listen for a few minutes) and a slightly thick midrange that causes just a touch of "haze" and harshness (compared to the VERY best).

I have not found anything that sounds better yet at a price I can afford. The tonal balance is excellent, it's hard to believe the detail extracted by the conical stylus... and I find the DL-103 is just much more musical and pleasant to listen to than some more expensive cartridges that get some things right, but just aren't as easy to live with in the end. The DL-103 has stood up to several challengers and I can't see it losing it's place on the end of my tonearm anytime soon.

There are a couple sellers on eBay from countries where the DL-103 sells for less that are selling the DL-103 for around $175.00 shipped. That's where I got mine. It's a steal at $229.00... I don't know what to call it at $175.00...