DENON DL-103S

Commentary

This MC cartridge is based on the DL 103 and has a lighter vibration system and greater compliance.

The structure of the vibration system, power generation method, external dimensions, output voltage and electrical impedance are exactly the same as those of the DL-103.
The cantilever is supported by an ultra-fine steel wire with a one point support system. The cantilever does not undergo harmful vibration in the length direction. In addition, vibration of the needle tip, which is important for stereo playback, in both directions is heavy, and compliance is the same. In addition, even if the needle tip sinks due to needle pressure, the center point of vibration does not change.

A cross-shaped armature is used in the armature section to reduce the mass of the cantilever and to make it easy to wind the generator coils of the left and right channels symmetrically.

DENON's unique double-structure cantilever is used.
In this structure, the high-frequency characteristics can be changed quite freely by the combination of the length of the outer pipe and the inner pipe, and the characteristics can also be controlled by the combination of the material of both pipes and surface treatment.
In the DL-103S, a special alloy is used for the cantilever, and the optimum combination of dimensions is adopted. In addition, the diamond tip is smaller and lighter than 0.15 mm square, and the high resonance frequency can be set at about 60 kHz, which is the limit, and excellent characteristics are obtained.

The steel wire of the one point support is made slightly thinner than DL-103, and the damper material is changed to make the movement of the needle tip soft. This, combined with the weight reduction of the vibration system, means that the mechanical impedance is reduced not only in the audible frequency range but also from the low frequency range to the ultra-high frequency range. This increases the ability of the needle tip to follow the sound groove and prevents the needle from flying.
The proper needle pressure is set at 1.8 ± 0.3g, 0.7g lighter than DL-103. The dead weight is also 0.7g lighter than DL-103. Therefore, if the same head shell is used, it can be replaced without readjusting the needle pressure.

The diamond tip of the needle uses an elliptical needle with special polishing similar to the shape of a recording cutter needle.
Combined with its light mass and high tracking capability, it realizes playback with less tracing distortion and loss.

The DL-103S also performs well on discrete 4-channel records.
However, since the playback frequency range is over 60 kHz, unnecessary components over 45 kHz are played back, and these components become noise during demodulation.
To cope with this problem, the pickup filter PUF-1 was sold separately as an option.

Model Rating

Type	MC Type Cartridge
Output voltage	0.3 mv (1 khz, 50mm/s horizontal direction)
Playback frequency range	20 Hz to 60 kHz
Output impedance	40 Ω (1 kHz)
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	8x10-6Cm / dyne (100 Hz, measured in records) 25x10-6Cm / dyne (Static measurement)
Needle tip	0.15 mm Square Solid Diamond Tip Special Elliptical Needle
Proper needle pressure	1.8 ± 0.3g
Dead weight	About 7.8g
Attachment	Attached data
Needle exchange	Body replacement (¥ 16,000)
Sold Separately	Pickup Filter PUA-1 (2 Pieces 1 Set, ¥ 1,500)