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 7.
  • y_2024, m_3, d_28, h_10
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvrr, vn_bulk_3.0.38
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasreviews, tv_2, tr_5
  • loc_en_CA, sid_136629, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=RATING, direction=DESCENDING), SortEntry(order=SUBMISSION_TIME, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_denon
  • bvseo_sdk, dw_cartridge, 21.1.0, p_sdk_3.2.0
  • CLOUD, getAggregateRating, 232ms
  • reviews, product

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:
  • Item Unavailable
Available exclusively in-store
C$ 479.00

DL-103

DL-103

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

Compare Denon turntables

DL-103
Details & Specifications

Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 by from New 103 with Fluance RT 85 Turntable Hello… was just wondering if I get a new 103 cartridge for Fluance RT 85, would this be a good combination and what would you recommend for phono preamp
Date published: 2023-12-25
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
  • y_2024, m_3, d_28, h_10
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvrr, vn_bulk_3.0.38
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasreviews, tv_2, tr_5
  • loc_en_CA, sid_136629, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=RATING, direction=DESCENDING), SortEntry(order=SUBMISSION_TIME, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_denon
  • bvseo_sdk, dw_cartridge, 21.1.0, p_sdk_3.2.0
  • CLOUD, getReviews, 5ms
  • reviews, product

Questions

I've got a Denon DP-790 turntable with the original tonearm and headshell from 1979. At the time, they called it a medium mass" tonearm. Shell dead weight 9g (Excluding screws} Do you know if it is compatible with the 103, or does it need to be heavier?

Asked by: DouglasR
Hello, Yes - your DP-790 turntable from 1979 is compatible with the DL-103.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2024-03-11

Does the DL-103 fit in the tk-24 headshell of a vintage Dual 721 turntable? Thanks.

Asked by: Carl L
Hello, The DL-103 has conventional cartridge fittings. Unfortunately, we do not have a TK-24 at hand to be certain what it will work with. We recommend speaking with the manufacturer offering your enquiry to a Dual turntable forum.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2024-03-04

Denon has made some of the best MC phono cartridges- why isn't a MC input included, even on the top models, where it's more likely that people would use these low output cartridges? The DL-110 is OK, but definitely not on the same level as the 103/103R.

Asked by: Gym123
Hello, Our moving coil cartridge customers generally favor our stereo integrated amplifiers over our AV receiver models. Here is a link to our integrated amplifier options. The PMA900HNE, PMA-1700NE and the PMA-A110 all have low output moving coil cartridge support: https://www.denon.com/en-us/category/amplifiers/ An optional external phono pre-amplifier which supports a low output moving coil feed can always be succesfully utilized when connected to a modern AV receiver.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2024-02-01

So, have an Audio Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB turntable. Haven’t had a DENON moving coil cart since’81! Is there one that fits this unit? Also, specs say platter has a built in switchable phono pre-amp for phono or line-level output… Does that meet the?

Asked by: Mark Hinson
Hello, The DL-103 is a low output moving coil cartridge. The built-in phono pre-amp with the AT-LP120USB is for a moving magnet cartridge or high output moving coil cartridge. Unless you wish to purchase an external phono pre-amp which supports a low output moving coil cartridge, your best bet is a DL-110 high output moving coil cartridge. Not only does the DL-110 fit the AT-LP120USB, but it is also supported by it's internal phono pre-amp.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-12-26

Will the DL-103 work well with the phono preamp in the PMA 900 HNE?

Asked by: SteveS
Hello, Yes - all of our current phono pre-amps - including that of the PMA-900HNE - with a moving coil setting will work well with the DL-103. We make a point of this owing to the worldwide popularity of the DL-103.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-11-30

Hi would this cartrage be compatable with the phono input on my amp, the phono is rated at 2.5Mv / 50k ohm

Asked by: Gumby
Hello, As we do not know which make and model amplifier you have, we cannot provide all the necessary details. The DL-103R is compatible with phono stages which support the use of low output moving coil cartridges.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-11-25

Hello, I would like to use this cart with my Kenwood KD-750. Will this cart work well with my turntable? I have a preamp that I’m sure will help to accommodate MC cartridges.

Asked by: Excalibre
Hello, Yes - the DL-103R will work well with your KD-750 turntable. Not knowing which headshell you have, you may benefit by using a heavier headshell. There are many options available from other brands, and can be found on websites such as Amazon.
Answered by: Denon Response
Date published: 2023-10-05

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
  • y_2024, m_3, d_28, h_10CST
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvqa, vn_bulk_3.0.38
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasquestionsanswers, tq_29
  • loc_en_CA, sid_136629, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=LAST_APPROVED_ANSWER_SUBMISSION_TIME, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_denon
  • bvseo_sdk, dw_cartridge, 21.1.0, p_sdk_3.2.0
  • CLOUD, getContent, 45ms
  • questions, product