Denon-103R Thoughts and Concerns

J

jommastafibb

New Member
Hello all, I am looking to buy a Denon-103R MC cart. I have come to this forum as you are very knowledgeable. The question I have is this. Will it sound right on my NAD 1155 Preamp? It has an MC option but with how low of output the cart has I am worried it may not function right. Also I am using a Technics SL-5350 if that matters.

Specs and Info:

NAD 1155:
http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/1155-Stereo-Preamplifier

Denon 103R:
http://usa.denon.com/us/product/hificomponents/turntablecartridges/dl103r

Technics SL-5350:
http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-5300.shtml
 
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MC cart + Preamp w/MC switch = what's the problem.

If you haven't tried a Denon cartridge before let me prepare you. Every Denon cart I've owned has been extremely detailed in the high to mid range with decent bass reproduction. Give us an update in this thread when you test it!
 
Hey guys so i got it setup but for some reason it doesnt move at all when placed on a record. the platter spins no problem but i get no sound and it doesnt seem to track at all. did i mess up?
 
The spec sheet for the cartridge says between 2.3 - 2.7 g tracking force so naturally i put it at 2.5. when i tryed to play it the first ti,e the table rejected it for some reason. what else could be a factor?
 
I assume that your turntable worked fine before you installed the 103?
Are you using an accurate scale to set the tracking force?
Try setting your anti-skate to Zero.
 
Check your arm lift, cuing mechanism for arm contact.
 
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You can't just swap one cartridge for another and use the tracking force dial as you did before - you have to reset the dial's calibration. You have to adjust the counterweight so the stylus floats just above the record, and adjust the tracking force dial so it reads zero. Now you can dial in the tracking force you want.
 
I may be late to the party with this but I question the 103r as a good match for this arm.

Assuming the problem is traking force and you get that sorted out. The DL 103r is a medium compliant cartridge, actually on the high side. The Technics arm is on the lower side of medium. Once you get it tracking I would be curious to know how far back the counter weight is? It may be better to add a few grams of mass to the headshell if the counterweight can support it.

As for the preamp, MC input of about 66dB gain will be ideal.

I think the DL 301 mk II is a better match for this table. For some reason it is not as popular as the 103 but I like it for lighter arms and it sounds great too.

Please keep us informed on your progress.

Cheers, Bob
 
Thanks for all of the replies! i figured out the issue. it floats above the record haha. i feel like an absolute idiot for not noticing that. although i dont thing my tone arm height is adjustable. can i adjust the headshell to fix this?
 
tnsilver said:
Why is it floating above the record? Is it because of too low VTF - or is there a different problem?
Click to expand...

I got it playing now. i added another rubber mat on top of the stock one. now the needle reaches the record. so i guess problem solved? im not sure what low vtf means. please educate me though.
 
tnsilver said:
VTF - Vertical Tracking Force. To the layman it just means the weight on the cart or the downward pressure on the stylus, if you will. It's usually achieved by messing about with the counter weight on the back of the tonearm moving it to the back to unload the burden off the cart or shifting it toward the pivot to increase it.

It's weird you had to add a mat. There shouldn't be such a problem with a standard stock Technics TA. Are you sure there's no rotating base that causes the 'arm assembly to sink or rise?
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info. it doesnt look like my counter weight moves forward or back. at least not from what i can tell. It is currently sitting near the back. I have used a digital scale to check the tracking force and it is right on the money at 2.5 grams
 
tnsilver said:
Turn it! It doesn't just swing from one side to another - it turns, like a screw. That would make it the world's funniest tonearm if that counter weight is fixed. I'm sure it's not.
Click to expand...

I turned it back and forth. The tracking pressure changes accordingly. Its supposed to track between 2.3 and 2.7 but 2.5 is reccommended. i dont get how this helps with the height issues?
 
jommastafibb said:
Thanks for all of the replies! i figured out the issue. it floats above the record haha. i feel like an absolute idiot for not noticing that. although i dont thing my tone arm height is adjustable. can i adjust the headshell to fix this?
Click to expand...

jommastafibb said:
I got it playing now. i added another rubber mat on top of the stock one. now the needle reaches the record. so i guess problem solved? im not sure what low vtf means. please educate me though.
Click to expand...

jommastafibb said:
Thanks for that info. it doesnt look like my counter weight moves forward or back. at least not from what i can tell. It is currently sitting near the back. I have used a digital scale to check the tracking force and it is right on the money at 2.5 grams
Click to expand...

jommastafibb said:
I turned it back and forth. The tracking pressure changes accordingly. Its supposed to track between 2.3 and 2.7 but 2.5 is reccommended. i dont get how this helps with the height issues?
Click to expand...

The video in the thread link I posted above will help you resolve all of this very easily. It's a step by step to get everything in order made by one of our members. It explains terminology while showing how to adjust the settings.

Give it a try, I'm sure it will be as educational and useful for you as it has for plenty of us.

Good luck.
 
The problem is that the automatic cuing height needs adjustment. Page 7 of the manual gives you full instructions on how to adjust this. The manual can be downloaded from vinyl engine.

I'd strongly suggest you don't play any records until you've adjusted the cuing height, as the VTF is probably under the recommended one.

The video clearly shows the needle not touching the record because the arm is resting in the cuing device.
 
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