I wouldn't touch any cart with a spherical stylus with a specially extended barge pole...
Even if it sounds better than cartridges many times it’s price?
Not all SPUs have a spherical stylus. The higher-end models have nude elliptical.
It doesn't. It is guaranteed to sound crap if it has a spherical stylus. End of. I don't care how good the bass and mid is and if it has "PRaT", any cart with a spherical stylus will have really poor treble and I want a good sound from lowest bass to highest treble. I wouldn't want an Ortofon SPU for the same reasons. Even if it was free!
and all SET's are shit.
it's ok to be wrong!
i think they offer a variety of profiles in the 103 body and mechanics. I hear the original suffers from end of side distortion.I believe the 103d had a more "normal" elliptical stylus but they are long gone. Don´t Expert do a paratrace tipped one ?
Take the Denon for what it is a nice sounding cart that's good value for money . For what it costs everyone can try one and make up there own mind .
I've tried the paratrace tip and different cantilevers and whilst they do improve certain areas they rob they 103 of its charm .
I find it strange that the Denon takes so much flak , no other manufacturers £150-£250 cart ( 103 and 103r price points ) are treated to such vitriol , yet for some reason people talk about the 103 as though it costs £1000 .
Take the Denon for what it is a nice sounding cart that's good value for money . For what it costs everyone can try one and make up there own mind .