Batty Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) They have 3 options, $150, $250 or $350 depending on which stylus profile you go for, I had the middle one, but now have a Van den Hul DDT-II Special with the $350 stylus on it, they used the original boron cantilever as it is good. Here is the link http://www.sound-smith.com/retip/ Edited February 17, 2013 by Batty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sentient Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Cheers. Hmmm. Wonder if I should send my At33ptg over to be repaired aswell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCM Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) I am thinking about buying a Zu audio version of these cartridge's, it seems that putting it in a new body is quite a popular mod. Also found a SUT specifically designed for use with 103 its a auditorium 23 see links below what do you think?? SUT: http://www.auditorium-23.de/Accessories/Transformers.html ZU audio Cartridge: http://www.zuaudio.com/turntable-cartridge.php The Cart's available in AUS are grade 1they are $630 AUD if you google it there are a few reviews, 6moons and Stereophile I am sort of thinking i might just get the stock 103 first can be had for quite a reasonable price, and i need a cart for a vintage luxman 272 i got the other day, but would like to try it with a SUT has any one used the Denon AU 300 LC ?? Any advice much appreciated. Edited March 5, 2013 by JCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspert Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Trying out a new Goldenageaudio African ebony half body/headshell on my Shick tonearm with Yamamoto headshell. I compared it to a Uwe ebony Denon body and this seems to gives the same tonality but more open sounding and projection. But i get a bit nervous with the coil/motor and tiny wires all exposed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 Jasper, I like it I am no longer nervous about "nude/open" cartridges. So much easier to align as well. How much does that body cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspert Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Hi Shane, Not sure about the price. Just got it ( prototype?) recently to try and give him some feedback. May be I can post it to you to try too. Did you have any issue removing the Denon coil/motor assembly from your Uwe body in the past? It was hard to remove mine from my ebony Uwe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 Hi Shane,Not sure about the price. Just got it ( prototype?) recently to try and give him some feedback. May be I can post it to you to try too. Did you have any issue removing the Denon coil/motor assembly from your Uwe body in the past? It was hard to remove mine from my ebony Uwe. ha ha. not a chance. It was haphazardly fitting the ebony Uwe that got you and me, having ESC do the ruby cantilever/paratrace stylus rebuild. Must admit, it is sounding really good now. Everything a Koetsu should be , but better. There is a guy on gon that says his esc'd/Zu 103r is a lot better than his Orpheus. Perhaps I should send it to you/Duc so he could do it? The more open sounding, sounds inviting v the full ebony Uwe body Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heman_ Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 hmmm..I've got a DL-103 at the moment and have been considering a few different bodies. But how much of an improvement is the DL-103r over the standard DL-103? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetube Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 ha ha. not a chance. It was haphazardly fitting the ebony Uwe that got you and me, having ESC do the ruby cantilever/paratrace stylus rebuild. Must admit, it is sounding really good now. Everything a Koetsu should be , but better. There is a guy on gon that says his esc'd/Zu 103r is a lot better than his Orpheus. Perhaps I should send it to you/Duc so he could do it? The more open sounding, sounds inviting v the full ebony Uwe body send it down Shane Duc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetube Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 hmmm..I've got a DL-103 at the moment and have been considering a few different bodies. But how much of an improvement is the DL-103r over the standard DL-103? Hi Heman. put it in a new body then you might not need the 103R . however the different between the R and the standar 103 is in the coil output impedances . the R have lower output impedance and supose to have better top end and may be a bit faster . cheers Duc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 I found that a retipped and rebodied 103 was very surprising in a good way, but I have now switched to a retipped VdH DDT-II Special and it just outclassed the 103 in every way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspert Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 ha ha. not a chance. It was haphazardly fitting the ebony Uwe that got you and me, having ESC do the ruby cantilever/paratrace stylus rebuild. Must admit, it is sounding really good now. Everything a Koetsu should be , but better. There is a guy on gon that says his esc'd/Zu 103r is a lot better than his Orpheus. Perhaps I should send it to you/Duc so he could do it? The more open sounding, sounds inviting v the full ebony Uwe body For the record, i'm not a Denon killer......LOL! Bought the cheap used 103 from hfido for rebuild/retip. I know the guy you are referring to from A'gon. He carries on a bit about his retipped Zu 103, Zu speakers and the Salvation turntables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnA Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Trying out a new Goldenageaudio African ebony half body/headshell on my Shick tonearm with Yamamoto headshell. I compared it to a Uwe ebony Denon body and this seems to gives the same tonality but more open sounding and projection. But i get a bit nervous with the coil/motor and tiny wires all exposed. that does look damn funky love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 For the record, i'm not a Denon killer......LOL! Bought the cheap used 103 from hfido for rebuild/retip.I know the guy you are referring to from A'gon. He carries on a bit about his retipped Zu 103, Zu speakers and the Salvation turntables. I mark my killed denon down to inexperience in taking off 103 covers yea he was going on and on about it being better than even any cartridge at any price - even Atlas. Last night I played the esc'd denon 103r and the dyna xv-1s both with straight armwands on the P3. The denon was nice, however the dyna was just better. $$ at least still buys better performance in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspert Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 yea he was going on and on about it being better than even any cartridge at any price - even Atlas. Last night I played the esc'd denon 103r and the dyna xv-1s both with straight armwands on the P3. The denon was nice, however the dyna was just better. $$ at least still buys better performance in this case. I'm with you on the last sentence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamg Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 (edited) Here's mine in an aluminum "silver" Midas. No retip...yet... Is that a Jelco SA-750D hanging off the Midas? Hmmm, I'd like to try a Midas 103 on my "Wand" tonearm. I reckon it would be a good match. Like Houndfang I too was close to putting a Wand on my SL1200 but chickened out and went for a Jelco. Thinking a modded 103 is the go for the Jelco but this thread is a honey pot of possibilities? Edited March 8, 2013 by adamg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epos Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) So just a shameless plug, I just received my new Snakewood headshell courtesy of Duc. And boy is it good looking. here are a few quick snaps: Hmmm, I'd like to try a Midas 103 on my "Wand" tonearm. I reckon it would be a good match. I am thinking about ordering a "Wand" tonearm and I have three carts and two decks, so if you want I am willing to cut you a deal? Take my DL-103 for a month and test it, just let me know what you think of the sound? Happy to send a P-77 too if you want. It's a lot of money for someone like me especially without hearing it so I could just borrow your ears! PM me if you like. Edited March 21, 2013 by epos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houdinifangs Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Is that a Jelco SA-750D hanging off the Midas?Like Houndfang I too was close to putting a Wand on my SL1200 but chickened out and went for a Jelco. Thinking a modded 103 is the go for the Jelco but this thread is a honey pot of possibilities? Yes - really good match too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundscape Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Hmmm, I'd like to try a Midas 103 on my "Wand" tonearm. I reckon it would be a good match. I am thinking about ordering a "Wand" tonearm and I have three carts and two decks, so if you want I am willing to cut you a deal? Take my DL-103 for a month and test it, just let me know what you think of the sound? Happy to send a P-77 too if you want. It's a lot of money for someone like me especially without hearing it so I could just borrow your ears! PM me if you like. I have the 9" Wand and I tried a 103 for a short time. An excellent match IMO, far better than my DL160 as you would expect. I bought fangs' Midas 103r but haven't fitted it yet as I still need to obtain the XS counter weight kit. I must pull my finger out, but my crappy rega and lack of funds discourages me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamg Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 <blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="houdinifangs" data-cid="862632" data-time="1363863781"><p> Yes - really good match too</p></blockquote> My TT with SA750 ready for pick up with Duc body soon to follow. Interested in how you've set up the cart/arm Fang....stock or heavier headshell, heavier counterweight, VTF ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Khamis Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I picked up a Denon DP-55K and have a 103 mounted to the DA-405 tonearm. On first listen, and not knowing anything about this cartridge, I was amazed by how good it sounded and knew that this cart was something special. Will no doubt be seeking everyone's advise soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Just epoxy filled my 2 Midas Denon 103R cartridges (both with Soundsmith retip). Cartridge weight is now 15.35g - which is about a gram heavier than without the fill. Been waiting for the epoxy to set so no listening done yet. Fingers crossed they sound ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 This pic shows the clearance for the cartridge wires from the epoxy - the wires need a bit of room to flex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundscape Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Tobes I take it that is an irreversible mod? Will it prevent future retipping? Interested to hear your feedback after listening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 (edited) Tobes What happens when you need a re-rip? That epoxy looks difficult to remove from the cartridge. BTW, how does it sound now? Edited April 15, 2013 by turntable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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