What turntable and TONEARM brands sound best with the Denon DL103 and DL 103R? MC's

I use a Technics SL-1210MKII with a 9” Jelco 750 arm. The set-up is used with a Denon DL-103r which was modified with a hardwood body. The 103r replaced a stock DL-103. The 103r is slightly warmer and has a fuller presentation than the 103.

I performed the arm change out and cartridge modifications myself. It was fairly easy, thanks to a few Youtube videos and forums like this.

Take a look at the SOTA turntables web page, they will sell you a new TT and you select an arm from their menu. Yes, they carry the Jelco 750. I’ve never heard any other Jelco’s arms so I won’t comment.

Good Luck!

My dealer carries Jelco, and says the 750's superiority over the 250 is easily heard. The price difference is relatively small, which should make the choice easy for most.

I've seen the 103 used in an EMT 997 banana and at the other extreme an Infinity black widow.. I think you can use the little beast in anything. Personally I use my 1966 version in both my Grace 747 and met SME 3009 with excellent results.  Those arms are mounted to a Dual 1229 and Garrard 301 respectively.

Also used the 301 when I had my LP12 and Ittok arm again with no issues.

n

I’ve seen the 103 used in an EMT 997 banana and at the other extreme an Infinity black widow..

OMG, Black Widow tonearm decerve much better cartridge than oldschool conical DL103 MC that cause total missmatch with this super lightweight tonearm designed for lightweight and extremely high compliance MM/MI cartridges up to 30-40cu and higher. DL103 is definitely not for lightweight tonearm if it means something for you, this is not universal cartridge for any tonearm at all, the compliance is just 8cu @100Hz and tonearm must be heavy, this is so obvious. If the original poster ask what is the best match for DL103 then it is tonearm with very high effective mass! If nobody cares why asking? 

Chakster,

You are absolutely correct. You should use a high mass arm. But I personally know of someone who has been using the 103 in a Black Widow for something like 30 years now and it sounds excellent. 

Further my Grace 747, while not as high a compliance as the Black Widow also works nicely.  Doesn't mean it's right, but it does work. 

I also suffer from Black Widow envy, it's a jewel of an arm for those that have never seen one. 

N