Review on Enhance Your Audio Experience with the Denon DL-103R Moving Coil Cartridge by Flavio Iyer

I used different trolleys: Grado Black, Grado Green, Ortofon OM10, Ortofon OM20, Ortofon OM30. I thought I had the best with the Ortofon OM30 but deep down I always knew my sound could be improved but for a lot more money! So, earlier this year I saw an ad for a $350 Sony PSX70 turntable in near mint condition. Out of curiosity, I googled the model. I've read nothing but rave reviews online that this is one of the best direct drive turntables ever made. So I chose it! Although all players. Although my PSX70 was advertised as the perfect match for the Denon 103R! Now I'm tempted to pull the trigger. I love my current MM Music Fidelity X-LP phono stage, but realize I'll need a step-up transformer or preamp to boost the output of the Denon 103R since it's an MC wagon. mm input of my phono stage. Flash forward, everything plugged in, first record put on, sounds a bit jagged and harsh like the speaker wires were swapped but read the Denon 103R needs cracking at 20+ or so. Luckily the Sony PSX70 player has a side auto snooze function, so I turn on the snooze when I leave the house to go to the store, come home about 4 hours later and huh, me listen to music like never before! Broken faster than recommended (mileage may vary with other carts) So open up spacious and warm! I always thought "warmth" was a ridiculous term for a vinyl sound, but with the Denon 103R I understand the term now! The mid attack and the deep bass growls just right! The mids are just oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh The highs are a little puffy to my ears, but I prefer to swamp the highs! Everything just sounds right! Another nice surprise with some old used records I have, the crackling and popping was quieter! But I emphasize that quieter they will not disappear completely. About a month later I decided to power my previous Harman Kardon T45 turntable with an Ortofon OM30 cartridge which I keep as a spare table. Before that I liked the HK T45 and Ortofon OM30 but after living with a Sony PSX70 with a Denon 103R cart it now sounds too bright and much less dynamic! The difference between day and night! (although the HK T45 and Ortofon OM30 still outperform CD audio, LOL) I've also heard that the Denon 103R can be upgraded to a new body and even a superior stylus from companies like Soundsmith. I have no desire to upgrade the Denon 103R to change its sound at all. I love the sound so much I don't want to change anything! I bought mine new here at Revain earlier this year for $350. I see the price is a bit higher now. Even in the $400-$450 price range, this is a steal! I know that sounds like a lot of money for a cartridge to a lot of people, but once you hear the Denon 103R on a well chosen arm/turntable it's all worth it. That!