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

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 :)

As others have said, the 103R will NEVER work on your Green dot UP4 arm. Your arm is super light and requires a VERY light and compliant cart. The 103R is the polar opposite -- heavy and stiff and needs a very heavy arm. I’m 100% sure of this as I currently own the 103R, and owned the UP4 in the past.

IMO, some of the advise here is getting way too complicated and expensive to implement. Best option is to just get an appropriate cartridge and use what you have. Problem is, there’s not many very compliant modern carts that meet your needs.

Look into the Cartridge Man Music Maker 3. Do the research -- lesser known here in America d/t poor marketing, but VERY highly regarded HO cart designed to mate well with light unipivot arms. I own it, excellent cartridge. Check online, tons of very positive pro and user reviews.

I used my MM3 on Hadcock 242 and Moerch UP4 arms. Both are lightweight unipivots. Excellent on both. I used the red dot arm tube on my Moerch, and that is what Moerch recommends for the MM3 cart. It is only 3 grams heavier than your green dot tube. I’m sure a headshell weight can easily be added to yours, some ideas here:

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS813US813&q=headshell+weight&tbm=isch&sourc...

Who knows, it may even work with your green dot.

My Hadcock and Moerch arms are both now sold, but I still have the MM3 cart. I can’t use it as all my arms are now heavier fixed pivots, so it’s available. Let me know if interested, I can give you a VG price easily within your price range. I’m so confident that (1) it will be compatible with your situation, and (2) it will bring the musical goods, that I will offer a money back guarantee if it doesn’t work for you. Use is a few hundred hrs, condition is excellent.  I can throw in the Music Maker "Isolator" (do your research).  It is designed to work with the MM3 cart, and will add 2g in mass.

PS: if you wanna stay with the 103R, the earlier suggestion of a Jelco arm is a good one. I pair my 103R with my 10 inch Jelco 750E and it is excellent.

PPS: I had the SS Carmen is my system for awhile. Nice cart, but the MM3 is significantly better in terms of transparency, nuance and inner detail.

On 2nd thought.....

I see the lowest gain setting on your phono stage is 54db. If you use an active line stage, you’ll likely have too much gain with the healthy 4.0mV output of the Music Maker mk3 cartridge.

A passive or very low gain (less than 5db?) active line stage is probably your only chance.