My Denon needs fixing. :(

avahifi · « **on:** 25 Mar 2009, 08:27 pm »

I own an very old Denon DL103s moving coil phono cartridge with a broken stylus assembly. Serial Number 2247.

Where do I send it to get it fixed and what is it likely to cost? Is it worth fixing?

Should I consider an alternative? $2000 type or up NOT.

I need a low output moving coil cartridge for testing some new RIAA phono circuit ideas here.

Thanks for your help.

Frank Van Alstine

Audio-den · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Mar 2009, 09:44 pm »

you can send it to sound smith for retip

AudioSoul · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Mar 2009, 10:00 pm »

I second the opinion on SoundSmith. They have different levels of upgrades.
Since yours is missing the cantilever you mite have to send it to them for
inspection to see if it is repairable. Good Luck

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Mar 2009, 11:39 pm »

Frank,

As you seem to maybe need it for a scientific test bad rather than sonically, you can get a brand new Audio Technica AT-OC9 ML II under $300...or about the same price as re-tipping your old Denon.

The AT has 0.4mv on tap versus 0.29mv (I think that's actual on the DL103 series...unless the 's' had something different). if so the AT might not be as useful as the Denon was with the higher output (less potential for noise in phono stage with higher outputs).

It's not to say the AT is necessarily bad sounding (or the Denon, for that matter)...just that you can get an entirely new cartridge with all new internals for the cost of a retip of the (old) Denon that might have deteriorated dampers internally. Seems smarter to do in your case.

J & R Music: $299.99 w/free shipping http://www.jr.com/audio-technica/pe/AT_ATOC9ML_SL_II/

John

lcrim · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Mar 2009, 12:52 am »

The best price for the Denon DL 103 is on ebay- William's Stylus Shop also listed as WilliamThakker.com
He charges $155 and ships from Germany free. Wait is not bad. Very efficient and highly recommended seller.

WGH · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Mar 2009, 05:57 am »

Quote from: lcrim on 26 Mar 2009, 12:52 am

The best price for the Denon DL 103 is on ebay- William's Stylus Shop also listed as WilliamThakker.com
He charges $155 and ships from Germany free. Wait is not bad. Very efficient and highly recommended seller.

I agree, bought my Goldring from William's. Communication was great and the cartridge arrived in less than a week.

W.

orthobiz · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Mar 2009, 10:57 pm »

http://stores.ebay.com/William-s-Stylus-Shop

Paul

JCC · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Mar 2009, 11:42 pm »

You can send it to The Soundsmith, and depending upon the stylus type that you chose, you can significantly improve performance. Their best is the optimized contour contact line with a ruby cantilever. With this approach you will dramatically improve performance and the tracking force will go down to 1 gram.

This approach is similar to supercharging your auto. You will get a dramatic improvement in performance.