DENON DL-103

Commentary

A typical DENON MC cartridge.

The DL 103 was jointly developed with NHK and announced in 1964. It is widely used as a monitor for broadcasting stations' music programs and record production processes.

The DL-103 generator generates magnetic flux by passing magnetic field lines through an armature placed at right angles between parallel DC magnetic fields. The motion of the needle tip transmitted through the cantilever moves the armature, changes the magnetic flux density and direction, and generates output voltage corresponding to each of the left and right channels in the coil.
In this structure, the center of vibration does not change even if the inclination of the armature changes due to the sinking of the needle tip by the needle pressure, so there is no bias in the output voltage. Therefore, the output voltage does not change due to the change of the needle pressure or the sinking of the needle tip, and the distortion does not increase.

In order to realize both sufficient rigidity and weight reduction of equivalent mass at the same time, we have adopted a unique joint rod type double structure cantilever.
In addition, by reducing the weight of the unique cross-shaped armature, double-structured cantilever, and needle tip diamond tip, the equivalent mass of the entire vibration system is kept small, increasing tracing capability and enabling ultra-wide band reproduction.

The cantilever is supported by a single point support system, and is supported by a very thin piano wire (suspension wire) extending from the suspension. This structure prevents harmful vibrations in the length direction (the direction in which the sound groove of the record moves) of the cantilever. In addition, motion is free against vibrations in the vertical and horizontal directions of the stereo record, which is necessary for music signals, so distortion is less.

Since the power generation coil is built into the cross-shaped armature independently on the left and right sides, the difference in sensitivity between the left and right channels is small and a good separation is achieved.

A 0.2 mm square diamond tip is used for the needle tip. This needle tip has a curved radius of 0.65 mil = 16.5 microns and is attached to the cantilever by a special method that requires less adhesive, contributing to the weight reduction of the vibration system.
In addition, since the diamond crystal axis is mounted with the hardest direction facing the contact surface of the sound groove of the record, it can be used for a long time.

Model Rating

Type	MC Type Cartridge
Output voltage	0.3mV(1kHz)
Playback frequency range	20 Hz to 45 kHz
Output impedance	40 Ω
Adaptive load impedance	100 Ω or More (Transformer 40 Ω)
Left-right separation	25 dB or More (1 kHz)
Lateral sensitivity difference	Within 1 dB (1 kHz)
Compliance	5x10-6Cm / dyne (100 Hz, measured in records)
Needle tip	0.2 mm Square Solid Diamond round needle 16.5 micron (0.65 mil)
Proper needle pressure	2.5 ± 0.3g
Dead weight	About 8.5g
Attachment	Attached data
Needle exchange	Body replacement (¥ 13,000/1978, ¥ 22,800/2015)