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need some help with Denon DL-103r OR Suggest a different cartridge

had a Denon DL-110 cartridge and liked it and something happened to the stylus and had the money , so bought a new cartridge.   picked up a Denon DL-103r, got it all setup and did some adjustments on the SIm Audio Phono preamp and not liking what I am hearing.            

I am not sure if a setting on the phono preamp is not right, but dont have nearly the overall volume that I had before and the bass sounds weird now ( speakers are Magnepan 1.7i's and they sound as if the music is distorted ?)

Capacitance : I have set at  0
Resistance :  I have set at  470
Gain           :   I have set at 66

On the tube preamp I have, the builder adds a gain dial on the back to match the amp better, and have tried adjusting that along with the main volume on the preamp and no improvement .

Is there a another setting that I should try ?           Or look for a different cartridge ?

riley804
riley804 OP
628 posts
 
“ Personally i just bought an original stylus replacement for Stanton and for Pickering which i can change myself when needed.“

which is great as you know the places to get this.....me, I have no idea where to find this or what to look for, so wouldn’t know if I got what I was supposed to.

finding just the mounting hardware seems to an issue as how would I know what size to get for the finger lift that I have ?

as much as I like vinyl, going cd is sounding better and better 
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
It all depends how sensitive your phono preamp is. The safer move would be the 4.8mv Reference! BTW, you can return it if you don't like it!
riley804 OP
628 posts
 
@

"  It all depends how sensitive your phono preamp is  "


the SimAudio lp 5.3 has plenty of user adjustments.     
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
I would go with the 4.8mv!
chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
I have no idea where to find this or what to look for, so wouldn’t know if I got what I was supposed to.

finding just the mounting hardware seems to an issue as how would I know what size to get for the finger lift that I have ?

Did you checked your inbox here on audiogon? I Just PMed you again. The mouting hardware (different size) comes with this cartridge along with the brackets (still sealed). I don’t think you need to readjust your tonearm lift, i have 6 toneamrs and never readjusted the lift when i swap the cartridges. They are all more of less standard, this is not the issue. When we look for the original stylus replacement all we need to know is the model number, for the Pickering the Stereohedron stylus replacement number is D3000 (this number printed on the plastic holder of the stylus and also on the box), so i think it’s pretty easly, they are pop up on ebay, you can make your saved search. When you got a cartridge with Stereherdon stylus in Minty condition you have at least 1000 hours before you will have to think about exchange needle. With such a long life span of the stylus you can use a cartridge for a few years regularly. Normally the nature of audiophiles is to seach for upgrade constantly, normally the next cartridge is more expensive and better one. I don’t know people who use one cartridge forever.

When people are buyin MC cartridge they can not buy stylus replacement, they will send a cartridge for re-tip when it’s worn out or broken.

P.S. anytime you need a non magnetic set of screws for whatever cartridge simply buy them in gold or black color from Yamamoto Sound Craft and you will be fine for entire life :)
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