[Lyndon]

Is it my imagination or is there a real shortage?  Was the factory where these are assembled affected by the natural disasters
in Japan?  Most places will tell you that they are out of stock, etc.  I bought one this morning from OneCall, since they had the best online price.  So good, that another friend ordered one.  When I got my tracking number, I went back to their website to find that they were OOS.
Also, I was interested in if there is a link to a tour of their production line with photos.
Lyndon

[jimdgoulding]

Lyndon, that a picture of the 103?  They are probably getting rare because of the mods being done by Zu and Soundsmith and the raves I'm reading. 

[Lyndon]

Jim,
My mistake.
I meant the lower model, the DL-110
But I believe it is the case with the higher priced models as well.
Yes, I am familiar with the mods by Zu as they are just north of me in Utah.
And now, for your viewing pleasure, the nude DL-103.  Not available in the States...

[neobop]

This is a little confusing. I guess you corrected the model numbers.

The 110 is a very popular cart. For $140, it's said to sound nice, inoffensive, and work on med/heavy arms. As I see it, it's only real competition at that price is the AT7V, 2M Red, or a Grado Prestige model. The 7V is not a US model and is more money in most places. LpGear happens to import it and sell it for $129.

Whatever, Denon is probably having trouble meeting demand. The 103 variants are hugely popular and supplies are probably getting limited. The 160 has been discontinued which would create even more demand for the 110. I even read that the DL-S1 is being discontinued. I don't know if this is true. It doesn't make sense to me that Denon would discontinue the more expensive models in favor of the budget ones, especially the DL-S1.  The trend seems to be going in the other direction with most companies. I think Grado's growth is probably with the more expensive wood bodied ones. Other makers of popularly priced carts seem to be trying to hold the line on price. Maybe production costs have something to do with it, but if production capability is limited, it doesn't really compute unless the 110 is being made in China. 

I've seen new 110s for sale on Agon and other on-line retailers like LpGear. You might find it on Amazon or places like Music Direct, Audio Advisor etc. Look on U-tube for a factory tour. The pic of the 103 doesn't appear to be nude. It looks like a clear body.
neo

[Lyndon]

Yes, Neo, I corrected my mistake after Jim pointed it out.
Was reading that other thread where you disassembled some cartridges.  Fascinating.
A little depressed this morning, as the budget phono preamp I picked up from a member to go with my home theater set up (TCC 754) sure gets the beat down from other forums.  Guess I'll look to see of a regulated power supply vs. the original wall wart can make much of an improvement.
Lyndon
Correction: Also not nude, clear body.  Are those available in the States?

[neobop]

Lyndon,
The way I hear it, those TCC phono stages are a great value. I think the S/N beats the competition in its class. There's always something better, and it's almost always more money, sometimes lots more money. Take it with a grain of salt. Other peoples results might not be the same as yours.

I have a TCC D/A converter. It was a big improvement with my budget CD player. It has a 12V DC power supply, and came with a wall wart. You can get the same power supply I got, at Amazon for $16. It's made by Pyramid and it's 3 amps. Big difference and worth every penny. The bass is way better and it seems quieter and more effortless. Check the voltage on your phono. It's probably 12V. If it's different, you need one with the same voltage.

I think those new Denon carts that come with the anniversary table, are clear ($500). I'm not sure.
neo

[*Scotty*]

Lyndon, another vote for a bigger power supply. I went from a 50watt wall-wort to a 250watt toroid and it was a worthwhile improvement for me.
Scotty

[Lyndon]

neo and scotty, thanks!
Yes, I read about that Pyramid and  the other power supplies last night.  There was a three page thread from Vinyl Engine that talked about that, and showed the interior of several other units (very interesting).  One guy from Taiwan really got into it and replaced several caps with Panasonics, along with the power supply and said it introduced a huge soundstage compared to earlier.  But he was not specific about which caps he replaced.  Got to be careful with the soldering and removing stuff on a small board, or it is all over.  I will try to find the link to that thread tonight. Can't access that forum at work for some reason.

Got the link! If this link works, check out the boards on some of the lower range phono preamps.
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=41789&sid=2829f26aaff7a8112f9790193121ff4f

Also, wouldn't there be a problem with that Pyramid as a power supply, because it is a "switching power supply"?  Wouldn't you want steady, clean power like from a battery source or a torroid?

[neobop]

It's a regulated supply. You don't need a toroidal transformer to make a regulated supply. You could power the thing with a 12V battery if you want. If they build it (TCC) like the DA converter, the outside of the plug is ground. You might have to cut the wire off the wart to hook it up. The TCC power plug wasn't a standard size.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=120-532

neo

[Lyndon]

Thanks, neo
Same item at Amazon, and with my Prime, I can get two day shipping free.
I'll probably order that tomorrow.  This whole thread and the one where you took apart the cartridges has had me dream wistfully down magnetic cartridge lane.
Grados, Empires, AudioTechnicas, Stantons,...my favorite was probably my Empire 1000?, it just looked so good in black and gold.  I used to show off my TT system, a PE 2020 with a custom plexiglass case (was for dealers only), my mint copy of Beggars Banquet in white vinyl with a black label, and away with the show!  Now I have nightmares of our esteemed Chair Guy putting plasti-clay over everything like the spectacle artist, Christo!