• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Denon DL-304 LOMC Cartridge Opinions

D

Decibel_116

AK Subscriber
I have an opportunity to acquire one of these in good shape. These are no longer manufactured. From what I have read, some think it is up there with the best while others say they are thin sounding. Appropriate gain staging and loading could be responsible for the negative remarks since its output is 0.17mV and 40 ohms. I would be interested in hearing from folks who have used one and had an opportunity to compare against other high performing LOMCs.
 
Register to hide this ad
Decibel_116 said:
I have an opportunity to acquire one of these in good shape. These are no longer manufactured. From what I have read, some think it is up there with the best while others say they are thin sounding. Appropriate gain staging and loading could be responsible for the negative remarks since its output is 0.17mV and 40 ohms. I would be interested in hearing from folks who have used one and had an opportunity to compare against other high performing LOMCs.
Click to expand...

I purchased a new one not long ago and currently have it on the low effective mass unipivot arm (~9gr) of my Scoutmaster. I'm very happy with it. I think it sounds great and would not say it is thin at all. Very nice with no bloat or thickness. Highs are also very smooth and controlled with no loss of detail.
 
Last edited:
Vintagear said:
I purchased a new one not long ago and currently have it on the low effective mass unipivot arm (~9gr) of my Scoutmaster. I'm very happy with it. I think it sounds great and would not say it is thin at all. Very nice with no bloat or thickness. Highs are also very smooth and controlled with no loss of detail.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like it is worth a try. Based on what I have learned so far, I should probably use a lightweight headshell with this one. I was wanting to try out my AT magnesium 9mg headshell, but it may be a bit much. I will probably run it through my Signet SUT at the 40 ohm setting. I might have to bump the phono preamp up one gain notch from 37dB to 47 dB.
 
I have one incoming too, but mine I need to rewind a coil as problem on a channel (I got it cheap to play with). No MC I have yet compares with my best MI like my London Super Gold, but curious to see how my new one sounds when I fix it.
Chris
 
cobbears said:
Had DL304's for a number of years and loved them,clean but not aggressive with brilliant perspective,much preferred over a similar priced AT,but must be loaded correctly.
No longer have them as I am now completely MM.
Click to expand...
I have over 60 carts and MI and MM are my favs, like MC but the best are for sure MI and MM. Kind of feel like I have now tried almost everything and the MC was a mistake..
Chris
 
DL-304 was my favourite ever but just cannot be a----d with mucking about retipping or whatever anymore and I've got a phono stage I can configure correctly for just about any MM.
 
Decibel_116 said:
I have an opportunity to acquire one of these in good shape. These are no longer manufactured. From what I have read, some think it is up there with the best while others say they are thin sounding. Appropriate gain staging and loading could be responsible for the negative remarks since its output is 0.17mV and 40 ohms. I would be interested in hearing from folks who have used one and had an opportunity to compare against other high performing LOMCs.
Click to expand...

I'd also be curious about your review of this cartridge. Denon's DL-103 line is quite good. :)

front shot (small).jpg

Denon 103D (1).jpg

Denon DL-103R Soundsmith and OEM (2) small.jpg
 
Decibel_116 said:
Thanks for the reply. Sounds like it is worth a try. Based on what I have learned so far, I should probably use a lightweight headshell with this one. I was wanting to try out my AT magnesium 9mg headshell, but it may be a bit much. I will probably run it through my Signet SUT at the 40 ohm setting. I might have to bump the phono preamp up one gain notch from 37dB to 47 dB.
Click to expand...

My phono pre-amp has a gain of 38 dB and my pre-pre (or head amp) has an additional 28 dB of gain for a total of 66 dB.

@rothwellaudio has some information you might find useful about matching an SUT to the DL304 in the link below.

http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/step-up_transformers_for_denon.html
 
I've used a DL304 into a total gain of 63db with no problems whatever,as is usual for Denon they seem to specify output voltages lower than they really are,if you are using a head amp make sure the load is adequately high,would suggest 300ohms min
 
cafe latte said:
I have over 60 carts and MI and MM are my favs, like MC but the best are for sure MI and MM. Kind of feel like I have now tried almost everything and the MC was a mistake..
Chris
Click to expand...

I picked up this DL-304 on a whim because I read other positive experiences with it a couple of years back. To my surprise, it kicked my ART9 in the buttocks for overall presentation and balance. The ART9 seems to have more punch though. I am going to experiment with cranking up the gain on my Aragon 47K phono preamp with my Signet SUT set at 40 ohms and see what happens next. I also thought about trying a Lyra Delos or Kleos, an Ortofon Cadenza Blue, or even a Soundsmith of some kind. After a while, it is just a bunch of slightly different MC construction techniques for rediculous prices. I don't know if I really want to keep trying the flavor of the month MC. Maybe I should just save up my hobby allowance for a London Decca and be done with it.

I still always return to my trusty Shure V15 Type IVMR when I want a no-nonsense reference playback. I don't want to wear out my last two original MR styli though. I revently purchased a Nagaoka MP-500 out of curiousity. It does a lot of things right, but seems to be kind of honky with saxaphones and voices in that range. Maybe it will settle down after break in. I hope so, because I love everything else about it.
 
Last edited:
Mr Boochie said:
I'd also be curious about your review of this cartridge. Denon's DL-103 line is quite good. :)

View attachment 1907832

View attachment 1907833

View attachment 1907834
Click to expand...

I have a DL-103 and DL-103R. I like them both but prefer the R, but I am terrified that I am shaving all the high frequency content off my precious vinyl every time I use one. All of that downforce cannot be good for a record's longevity. I have contemplated having the 103R modified so that I can run a better stylus and lower tracking force. It has a very nice overall presentation.
 
Decibel_116 said:
I picked up this DL-304 on a whim because I read other positive experiences with it a couple of years back. To my surprise, it kicked my ART9 in the buttocks for overall presentation and balance. The ART9 seems to have more punch though. I am going to experiment with cranking up the gain on my Aragon 47K phono preamp with my Signet SUT set at 40 ohms and see what happens next. I also thought about trying a Lyra Delos or Kleos, an Ortofon Cadenza Blue, or even a Soundsmith of some kind. After a while, it is just a bunch of slightly different MC construction techniques for rediculous prices. I don't know if I really want to keep trying the flavor of the month MC. Maybe I should just save up my hobby allowance for a London Decca and be done with it.

I still always return to my trusty Shure V15 Type IVMR when I want a no-nonsense reference playback. I don't want to wear out my last two original MR styli though. I revently purchased a Nagaoka MP-500 out of curiousity. It does a lot of things right, but seems to be kind of honky with saxaphones and voices in that range. Maybe it will settle down after break in. I hope so, because I love everything else about it.
Click to expand...
Curious how my 304 will sound. Yes you are right lots of different flavours of MC, but nothing really shines. The Super gold is seriously good. and I really like a few MM's too.
Chris
 
Decibel_116 said:
I have a DL-103 and DL-103R. I like them both but prefer the R, but I am terrified that I am shaving all the high frequency content off my precious vinyl every time I use one. All of that downforce cannot be good for a record's longevity. I have contemplated having the 103R modified so that I can run a better stylus and lower tracking force. It has a very nice overall presentation.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about scrubbing off high frequency information, with these cartridges. As long the alignments are all correct and the stylus is not worn down. BTW... I am running Soundsmith boron cantilever and NCL modification on one of my 103R. This is a highly recommended mod. The modified 103R is about the best I've owned and heard. :)

Denon DL-103R Soundsmith and OEM (1) small.jpg

Soundsmith mod is on right Denon, in photo. He recommends 2.5 gram tracking. There is no mistracking or skipping with either OEM or modified stylus.
 
Mr Boochie said:
I wouldn't worry about scrubbing off high frequency information, with these cartridges. As long the alignments are all correct and the stylus is not worn down. BTW... I am running Soundsmith boron cantilever and NCL modification on one of my 103R. This is a highly recommended mod. The modified 103R is about the best I've owned and heard. :)

View attachment 1909436

Soundsmith mod is on right Denon, in photo. He recommends 2.5 gram tracking. There is no mistracking or skipping with either OEM or modified stylus.
Click to expand...

I'm sure it sounds great. I just will not run anything requiring more than 1.8g VTF and with at least a line contact patch to spread out the forces. I have read through the Shure reports on record wear again and again. That me a believer out of me.
 
Blewpernt said:
The DL-304 is laid back and detailed at the same time. It’s not far off from the current flagship DL-S1. I’m not sure there is much difference between the two. They certainly share most of the same parts. It’s possible the DL-S1 has a finer diamond, but the way Denon specifies so vaguely, who knows? The DL-S1, I think, features gold wire coil windings whereas the 304 might be regular copper. Probably can’t hear a difference anyway, but it’s something to talk about. I have heard them both and I don’t think I could tell much of a difference if any. The big difference is with the 304 you keep $400 in your pocket over the DL-S1.
Click to expand...
I've the DL-S1 and its way better than the 304....I fact the 304 is closer to the 301 MK2 than the DL-S1 to my ears.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom