DL-103

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

I have a Thorens TD235 and mounted this cartridge to it. With the factory supplied counterweight, the only way I could use it was by removing the dustcover. I understand there is a heavier counterweight you can acquire from Thorens but I just moved the Denon to my Music Hall Classic and am thoroughly enjoying it!

Hello, Yes - the DL-103 will work with an SME 3009r on a Thorens TD321 turntable. There is a chance you may have to add weight to the 3009r's counterweight. If in doubt, I suggest contacting SME.

Hello, Unfortunately, none of our cartridges are compatible with 78 shellac playback. The groove of an LP is much narrower than the groove of a 78 rpm record. Therefore, you will need a specific cartridge for playing 78s. LP Gear (online store) have a selection of cartridges which support the playback of 78 rpm records.