DL-103

Premium Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

C$ 479.00
3.3 out of 5 Customer Rating
DL-103 is rated 5.0 out of 5 by 6.
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The original Denon moving coil cartridge design. Designed in 1964 and still in production today, due to its sleek, simple design, quality sound and reliability.

  • Premium sound
  • Moving coil (MC)

Availability:
  • In Stock
C$ 479.00

DL-103

DL-103

C$ 479.00
C$ 479.00
Estimated to ship on {0}

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DL-103
Details & Specifications

Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 by from Love the smooth sound of this cartridge I’ve owned the Denon 103 cartridge for 18 months now and I love it. I listen primarily to Jazz music with a tube amplifier and Klipsch Forte III horn speakers. Sound is smooth and easy with ample details - perfect blend for me. I was wary of purchasing to match with my SME 3009 S2 Improved tonearm based on what I read, but found a thread recommending it as a great match by simply using a stylus scale to measure additional tracking weight required by turning counter weight. Took a few minutes to mount and set and it works beautifully. Highly recommended.
Date published: 2023-02-01
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Lost cartridge Great sound and a great customer service. Thanks for all your follow-up.
Date published: 2022-08-17
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Surface Noise Champion I have a MM Shure M97XE with a Vivid Line upgrade stylus that is excellent. I wanted to try a MC cartridge. After reading the reviews I decided to go with a “tried and true” standard - DL-103. I was NOT disappointed! Sonically, it and my Shure sound very similar with one HUGE exception! The amount of audible surface noise (I collect used albums) with the Denon is HALF that of the Shure. The Shure has a multi dimensional elliptical stylus. The Denon has a round conical stylus. I LOVE this Denon cartridge! I’m using an external Parasound zPhono preamp.
Date published: 2022-04-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Excellent Value I've owned a lot of Denon cartridges over the years: 103, 103D, 301, 160. The best all around was the D version, but it is no longer made. Denon's basic 103 is excellent value. Sounds very smooth and musical. It's an "old fashioned" sound, but that is a good thing. DL 103 is an audio classic. Be careful setting it up. Not the most ergonomic of designs, however the square body makes alignment a snap.
Date published: 2016-12-20
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Questions

I have Dual 1229Q which currently has a Empire MM and was interested in a MC. The DL-103 fits my budget and the reviews are always good. I would appreciate your thought on pairing it with the Dual? It would feed into a Cambridge Audio preamp. Thanks.

Asked by: MCIII
Hello, The DL103 will fit your 1229Q. As it isn't clear which Cambridge Audio phono pre-amp you have, it's not possible to say if your phono pre-amp will pair well with the DL-103. The DL-103 is a low output moving coil cartridge, and will need a phono pre-amp which supports a low out moving coil cartridge for it to be heard at it's best.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-09-25

I have a vintage Denon 1700W turntable that I haven’t used in many years (1970s/1980s). I would like to resurrect it in my current house. It now has a Stanton D71EE stylus. Any recommendations on a new cartridge and/or stylus?

Asked by: John R
Hi John, If you have a Moving Magnet only phono pre-amp, the DL-110 is the best option as it is a high output moving coil cartridge and works well with a moving magnet phono pre-amp. The DL-103 will work well if you have a low-output Moving Coil Phono pre-amp, as would the DL-301II All these cartridge models are designed to fit the headshell of your DP-1700W. Here's a link to the details: https://www.denon.com/en-us/category/turntables/
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-09-14

I just bought a dl-103, to use with a Schiit SOL that has 13 gram, 11" straight UNI PIVOT tonearm. That means it pivots in all directions, not just up and down but left and right. I also have Fluance 85 with S style tonearm. Which is the best choice?

Asked by: pauldenon
Hello, We haven't tried the DL-103 on the Fluance 85 turntable, and Schiit's SOL wasn't around long enough for us to even see one in the wild, so we cannot make a recommendation based on having actually compared the performance either way. Based on it's weight, the SOL tonearm should prove to be a good match for the DL-103.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-08-15

Tracking angle denon dl-103 ?

Asked by: Razamans
Hello, It is recommended to adjust your vertical tracking angle so your tonearm is parallel with the LP on your turntable platter with the arm in the lowered position. This can be done using a metric side rule - measuring the furtherst ends of the tonearm which sit directly above the LP playing surface. Both measurements would need to be equal for the arm to be parallel with the LP. From there, making small adjustments to tune by ear can be worth the expreiment - as has proven to be the case for many DL-103 users. Because we all hear things differently, your ears will tell you when something sounds right to you.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-04-26

I have a SL1700MKII.It has no head shell or cartridge. It basically has nothing at the end of the arm. What do I need to buy?Thank you, Robin

Asked by: RobinR
Hi RobinR, All that's required for the DL-103 to be mounted to your SL-1200MKII is a headshell with an 'SME' fitment - which is one of the easier headshell's to find. Stock Technics headshells are still available new, and easy to find with a search engine. Your phono stage will need to support a low-output moving coil cartridge. They too are easy to find if you don't have one. Any audio dealer specializing in turntables should be able to assist. You may need to add extra weight to the tonearm. They fit on the back of the tonearm counter-weight and are easy to find on ebay.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-04-13

Hello, I am looking for the best matching cartridge for my system: Garrard 401 + SME 3012 Early Series II split weight. Many thanks for your recommandation(s) !

Asked by: CrisFrenchUs
Hello, While we haven't tested your particular set-up ourselves, a Garrard 301/SME 3012/DL-103 has proven to be a popular combinatoin with analog enthusiasts worldwide. If you don't have a phono stage with a low output moving coil setting, then you might be interested in our DL-110 high output moving coil cartridge.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-03-31

Would the Denon dl 103 be compatible with stock TP 16 tonearm on a Thorens TD 160?

Asked by: Lennmd
Hello, It looks as though there won't be a problem fitting a DL-103 to a TP16, but as we do not have one on hand with which to experiment, we cannot be sure. Have you considered contacting Thorens? They are under different ownership, but they might be able tom assist. The TP16 headshell is removable however, so you could always use an alternative headshell if need be.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-03-23

Hi, I am curious about the compatibility of the Denon DL-103r a Clear Audio Concept table with the Verify Arm. I am wondering what the compliance values are with this cart so I can assess how it will sound with my arm and GrahamSlee Accession pre. TY!

Asked by: GJones
Hello, The DL-103R is a low output Moving Coil cartridge with an output voltage of 0.25mV with an output impedance on 14 ohms. The Accession MC phono pre-amp is designed for high output cartridges. If you want to use a low-output MC, Graham Slee suggest you partner it with the Elevator EXP Step-Up for an all-cartridge phono preamp combo. https://www.denon.com/-/media/files/documentmaster/denonna/dl-103r-om-e_003.pdf
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-02-27
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