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Review Summary
2024-07-03T20:00:00
I've had the 301 in my system for a little over a year now and it's my first LOMC cartridge. My jaw dropped when I first heard it and I still can't believe how good it sounds sometimes. I have wholeheartedly recommended this to several people who have gone on to buy it and have the same reaction. Surface noise is very low, upper end extension is detailed, midrange texture is excellent, and it can throw down when the bass calls for it. Soundstage is also very good. If I had to quibble with anything, it can be a bit on the bright side with my setup if the source leans that way (certain modern albums are not great, but that's not the fault of the 301). The imaging is also not quite as pinpoint precise as some higher end carts, but I think you need to get into $1000+ territory to get that kind of improvement. Simply put, I don't think there is a better cart under $1000.
JasonWC
2024-05-14T20:00:00
It's not difficult to find a moving coil cartridge under $1k, but it isn't easy to find one which has some sort of tonal imbalance or general sonic compromise. In many cases it's better to go for a similarly-priced moving magnet if you know where to look. Denon have other ideas. They have been making moving coil cartridges for so long now, that the original pics of the legendary DL-103 are in black and white. Japanese radio stations have been using the DL-103 as their cartridge of choice for over 60 years now. To my ears, the DL-301MKII offers a level of sonic refinement which makes you do a double take on the price at which it is being sold. I have heard cartridges costing much, much more offer better overall sound, but the DL-301MKII does not embarrass itself in such company. Aside from having a very civilized tone and a neutral balance to it's delivery, what I like most about the DL-301MKII is the way it tracks like a blood hound. I have one or two LPs which have very challenging tracks at the end of the side which can cause problems for cartridges costing upwards of $2k. The DL-301MKII had no such issues. Sibilance and distortion are seemingly swept aside by the DL-301MKII, and it just gets on with it's transducer duties as though it is it's favorite passtime. All you need is a good moving coil phono pre-amp, or even a step-up transformer for your moving magnet phono pre-amp, and you can look forward to hearing your music effortlessly come alive. I would give it 5/5 stars for set-up, but it lacks the lazy feature of having a threaded body. No matter - once you have it installed, you're not likely to want to remove it from your tonearm anytime soon after. Thank you, Denon. I thought I was going to have to spend close to a grand to get the sound I was after. Not so. This really is remarkable moving coil value.
Analogarhythm
2022-11-03T20:00:00
This DL-301II exceeded my expectations. I had been using a DL-110 for some time with very good to excellent results. I already expected the upgrade to DL-301II to provide improvements. However, I was pleasantly surprised with significant improvements in all aspects of sound quality. In a word I would describe the soundstage width and depth as massive! I have it mounted to a Technics SL1210GR and my phono stage is a TEAC PE-505. I have it connected using fully balanced with a custom set of RCA to XLR cables; and I have it set to 1.2g with same setting anti-skate. Because the noise floor is so low and this cartridge is so quiet, the music flows with effortlessness! The music is very palpable and engaging!
EJasonC
2021-12-23T19:00:00
Cartridge with excellent sound and unparalleled cost-effectiveness. Better than many expensive cartridges. Works superbly with my Technics SL 1200 MK5.
Nando
2020-11-24T19:00:00
I have had this cart for about a year and a half. It was mounted briefly on a U-Turn Orbit TT and subsequently switched to a new MoFi Ultradeck. It is far superior to any MM cart I've tried. I have it plugged into an old mini-transformer feeding an Aric Audio all-tube phono stage preamp. It is a very revealing cart and is unforgiving of poorly-recorded vinyl or of used vinyl in rough condition. The Ultradeck/DL-301 is for my good stuff. The Orbit/MM cart is for the rougher vinyl in my collection. Different horses for different courses...
unionista
2020-06-16T20:00:00
Mounted this to a Thorens TD125 mkii with an SME 3009 tone arm. At 1.37gm tracking into a MM input there was enough output to use direct but the sound was boxy and muted. A home built SUT to get the right capacitance made a huge difference. It increased volume but really opened up the sound stage, clarity and added detail. It brought the Thorens very close to my Rega RP6 but still a softer sound that works great for some older content.
CDinMB
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0.4mV
Elliptical tip
20 - 60,000Hz
13x 10-6cm/dyne
1.2 - 1.6g
6.0g / 0.21oz
081757507998
My favorite cartridge. I have 13.
By Nando
Cartridge with excellent sound and unparalleled cost-effectiveness. Better than many expensive cartridges. Works superbly with my Technics SL 1200 MK5.
Great smooth sound for older records
By CDinMB
Mounted this to a Thorens TD125 mkii with an SME 3009 tone arm. At 1.37gm tracking into a MM input there was enough output to use direct but the sound was boxy and muted. A home built SUT to get the right capacitance made a huge difference. It increased volume but really opened up the sound stage, clarity and added detail. It brought the Thorens very close to my Rega RP6 but still a softer sound that works great for some older content.
The Denon DL-301MK2 High Output Moving Cartridge is an updated version of the DL-301 cartridge. The DL-301 MKII delivers more detail and an even higher output than its predecessor. The DL-301 MKII mounts to any head-shell and is an ideal choice for home audio, audiophiles, high-end home theaters and more.