No. 26 - MM or MC board?

The higher gain is the MC board, and the lower gain is the MM board. The 38db or 58db relates to phono section gain only, and the linestage also has a gain figure(typically between 10db-20db). The phono gain and the linestage gain are added together to get total gain in the front end.

If you add in the step-up transformer, it will also be added into the front end gain. I've found that the total front end gain with the DL103R is good at about 80db total front end gain. My system has a Cotter step-up(20db), 46db phono gain, and 20db linestage gain, for a total front end gain of 86db. This worked out very well for me when I was using the DL103R in my system.

Remember, that when you use a step up transformer, you load the cartridge AT THE TRANSFORMER at half the normal amount(40-50 ohms) instead of the 100 ohms. You then use the normal 47k loading at the phono section input. The Cotter is difficult to adjust loading on(soldering jumpers), so I hope that the one you have is the "Type S" version of the Cotter Mk2 tranny.

Thanks Twl, very important advise from you that I will surely consider, specially the added load settings using the step-up.

I will let you know how it sounds with and without the step-up, taking into consideration that the current 100ohm setting is OK for the Denon if feeding directly to the No. 26.

Fernando

Dear Fernando: The name of Mark Levinson was constructed around their power amplifiers not for their pre-amps and certanelly never for the phono preamp. The 26 is not a good phono preamp. My advise is that you stay aways of that ML 26.

BTW, while you insist with the 103R you will be out of the game named: " analog sound quality reproduction ". You can't do nothing about with that cartridge. Please grow-up, you can do it.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

It may be noted that the early Levinson phono stages were designed by John Curl, and are still sought after by audiophiles, even after 20 years have gone by since they were made. I haven't listened to any of the late model Levinson phono stages, so I can't comment on them.

The DL103R is an excellent cartridge for the money, as long as it is on the right arm(of sufficient mass, rigidity, bearing quality). In the view of many people, this cartridge is superior to many cartridges that cost much more. I've personally heard it embarrass many cartridges that cost over $1k, but this should not be construed to assume that it is a contender for the world's best cartridge, because it is not, and at $250 it's not intended to be. But, it is a great sound for the money, and is well worth the cost. There is a certain "completeness" and "wholeness" to the sound of the 103R that is very compelling. It has a character of sound that IMO is very reminiscent of the Shelter and Koetsu cartridges. I've heard it referred to as a "baby Koetsu" and that is not far off the mark.

TWL: THis one was not Curl design.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.