In Barn for Good: Denon DL-103 MC Cartridge

Welcome back!

The Denon DL-103 Moving Coil Cartridge has been in production since 1962, making it a year younger than me. While I have changed some since my production date, the Denon DL-103 is as fresh as a daisy.

I owned and used a DL-103 for more than a decade, so having one back in Barn again for good is like welcoming an old friend back into the fold.

The Denon will see play time on my Michell Gyro SE ‘table, another piece of classic hi-fi kit albeit a bit younger, first showing up the scene in the 1980s (if you take a look at my system, you’ll spot a theme).

Welcome back!


Denon DL-103
Price
: $349
Company Website: Denon (I purchased my new 103 directly from the fine & friendly folks at Music Direct)

Technical Specification

Stylus: 16.5 µm diamond spherical tip
Cantilever: Aluminum
Frequency Response: 20 ~ 45 kHz
Output: 0.3 mV at 50 mm/s
Output Impedance: 40 Ω
Load Impedance: 100 Ω
Channel Separation: Over 25 dB at 1 kHz
Compliance: 5 x 10–6 cm/dyne (100 Hz)
Tracking Force: 2.3 ~ 2.7g (± 0.3g)
Weight: 8.5 grams