Denon DL-103 Moving Coil Cartridge
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Denon DL-103 Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

SKU: CCSDL103

This item is no longer available.

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Q&A

Questions & Answers

Shopper : will this work with a technics sl-1600 stock turntable and a sansei au-717 integrated amp without any additional components? thanks.
PHIL G : I HAVE A DENON DP62L TURNTABLE AND A DENON AVR 2807 RECEIVER. IF I BUY THIS CARTRIDGE WILL I HAVE TO GET A TRANSFORMER SINCE NY RECEIVER RECOMENDS A HIGH OUTPUT CARTRIDGE? WILL THIS CARTSIDGE SOUND OK?George W : This is a fairly conventional "high out put" type of cartridge, it should be just fine it in most aplications. The only problem can happen if you were replacing a "moving coil" type of cartridge. which has a much lesser output signal current.Tony A : You will probably need a phono pre-amp capable of MM and MC cartridges and connected to the TAPE or AUX, not the PHONO. I had to do the same thing with my pioneer receiver. Otherwise it will play but the sound will be very low. Look for a Rotel Phono Preamp on Ebay, they have a great sound stage.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2025-04-06T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Accurate and wonderfully lively

As a turntable enthusiast with 35+ years as a DJ, radio engineer, and audiophile, I can say without reservation that the Denon DL-103 is one of the best cartridge values in the marketplace. It tracks almost anything I play with ease. Any clean, well-pressed record comes alive with this cartridge and the appropriate preamplifier. In fact, some records in my collection are indistinguishable from open reel tape when played on even an average turntable with the DL-103. If you are contemplating the purchase of this cartridge, don't hesitate!

Scott

2023-12-24T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

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

Eli L.

2022-08-16T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Lost cartridge

Great sound and a great customer service. Thanks for all your follow-up.

Kathy

2022-04-10T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

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.

DeFrogi

2016-12-19T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

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.

mp103

2016-12-19T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

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.

anmpr1

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Denon DL-103 Specifications

  • Frequency response (Hz)

    20-45,000

  • Output@1khz, 50mm/sec

    .3mV

  • Output impedance

    40 ohms

  • Load impedance

    100 ohms

  • Channel separation at 1kHz

    Over 25db

  • Channel sensitivity

    1dB or less

  • Tracking tip

    16.5 micron special round solid diamond

  • Copliance

    5x10-6cm/dyne (100Hz)

  • Tracking force

    2.3-2.7g

  • Cantilever

    Aluminum, conical

  • Weight

    8.5g / 0.29oz

  • UPC Code

    081757507967

1 Accessories for Denon DL-103 Moving Coil Phono Cartridge

  • All Accessories (1)
  • Laptop Stand (1)
H&A Single-Tier Multi-Purpose DJ Laptop Stand
H&A Single-Tier Multi-Purpose DJ Laptop Stand
$39.99

About Denon DL-103

FEATURED REVIEWS

Excellent Value

By mp103

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.

Excellent Value

By anmpr1

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.

Widely used in the past for broadcasting, the Denon DL-103 uses a high-quality nude, square shank meticulously mounted to Denon's own conical aluminum cantilever with a cross-shaped armature. This reduces mass such that rich tonal qualities are natural and convincing. This cartridge boasts independent moving coils, a flat frequency response and a single-point suspension system.

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What's in the box:

  • Denon DL-103 Moving Coil Cartridge
  • Stylus Cleaning Brush
  • Operating Instructions
  • Service Station List
  • Denon 90 Days Limited Warranty