Description

Probably the single-greatest value in high-end audio for 40 years running, the original Denon DL-103 moving coil phono cartridge was introduced in Japan as a broadcast standard when most people had black & white TV. I bought my first one, the currently defunct "D" version, in 1974 for $300. It sells for $229 retail today, which is amazing given that this is a painstakingly built product whose innards were nano-scale before nano was now. I still use the 103 in all my turntables today.

Moving coil cartridges generally combine low voltage output with superior resolution and musicality, but they require a step-up transformer or pre-preamp between the cartridge and the phono input on your preamp or receiver. Some phono preamps have moving coil inputs to handle the low level output of these cartridges. Check your gear to be sure. Fortunately, with the ubiquity of the Rega RB-300 tonearm and similar imitators on most turntables today, you can usually fearlessly mate the Denon DL103 to your rig. The stylus is conical, which is kind to your records and renders setup comparatively unfussy. Cantilever is aluminum. All the materials are ordinary to keep the price low, but design and execution are executed beyond the price class. In a world of 5-figures phono cartridges as delicate as angel's breath, this Denon puts you in the realm of fully dimensioned, tonally rich, satisfying high-end analog glory for a small fraction of the cartridges that can otherwise match or beat it. Its excellence is in the balance of traits that cannot in this world all be made perfect. In audio, this is one of the living legends. If you don't want to spring for a step-up device, try the cheaper, high-output Denon DL-160 instead. (via The Needle Doctor)

Updated Sep 29, 2006