Installed Denon DL-110 and ...
It sounds awesome!
I played the "Popular Science Project 3 Stereo Test Record # PR201SD" and it didn't skip a beat. The music side showed off the Denon’s capabilities.
Had I read the VTA manual first, I would have seen that the Denon DL-110 is listed as one of the cartridges. Beware; it states that you need to set VTA to -3, it is actually +3. Plus the tracking states 1.5 to 2.1 grams, but to get the stereo balanced I had to set it about 1.25g tracking and 1.25 anti-skate. It almost couldn't reach the protractor marks since the head shell has a point at the front which bumps up against the front of the head shell. If I had the adjustment plate (didn't have it), it might have been able to move past it. I will post pics tonight.
The capacitance settings on the preamp have much more effect on the sound with a HOMC. I have fairly high capacitance cables at 180pf right now. Still the higher 320pf setting was the best of the 3 settings (320pf, 200pf, 100pf). I bought a cable that is a little better at 150pf and has the ability to do the resistive loading. I will be trying that tonight as well.
I listened to Fleetwood Mac “Rumors” which was rated lower at Black & Red where I buy most of my albums. The old Pickering was forgiving of this album, but not the Denon, it dug in and showed the over amped bass on the album. This is where having a preamp shined with the ability to equalize the bass, treble and adjust the output into my main amp which balanced the frequencies and the distortion as well.
Finally I listened to a 60’s gem (in my book), Steve Miller’s "Sailor” which is a near perfect recording. It made me soooooo happy with the purchase. It brought out instruments I had not heard before and uncovered subtleties I had not heard in all of them which I believe is the main goal of upgrading a cartridge.
Very happy!!! Thanks everyone for the quick input. :thmbsp:
