denon dl110 or dl103?

EDUBAG
EDUBAG Posts: 403
edited May 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
hey guys,

i want to try a new cartridge and prefer to give it a go to moving coil and hear what all the fuzz is about. my turntable is a pioneer pl100 and currently using a shure mx97 cartridge.

the rest of the system is a rotel rc990bx pre, rb990bx amp mit exp2 speaker cables to kef r300 speakers.

which of the two denon choices would be the better for my tt? considering the rest of the gear.

the rotel is capable of both mm or mc carts.

thanks and best regards,

eduardo
HT:
POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
CSI3 CENTER
DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
PSW 125 SUB
PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
APPLE TV 160GB
PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

2 CHANNEL:
KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
Post edited by EDUBAG on
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Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited May 2012
    I believe you will need a SUT for the 103
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,499
    edited May 2012
    Two things you need to consider are how much gain does your MC stage provide and is the MC loading fixed or adjustable. With low output cartridges (.3 mV for the enon 103R) I like to see around 60dB of gain minimum, 68dB being even better. Otherwise you are cranking the volume higher due to the cartidge's low output which can add distracting background noise. Adding an SUT like suggested (step up transformer) would allow you to keep the volume lower but adds expense.

    A quick check shows a loading of 100 Ohms for the MC input on the 990bx, and that matches the Denon DL-103r suggested loading of 100 ohms.

    http://www.rotel.com/content/manuals/rc990bx_eng.pdf

    The DL110 has 47k Ohm loading so you would have to use the MM input. With lower gain (40-44dB usually with MM stages) and the DL-110's 1.6mV output, you may be in that having to crank the volume really high situation. MM's vary in ouput voltage but typically you see 4mV or higher.

    The Denon 103's are great cartridges for the money (I have a 103R myself), but it may be best for you to look for an MC with more gain. You can also get MC's with 47K Ohm loading and high gain that can be used on the MM input.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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