Denon DL 103

Denon DL 103 - a true classic mc cartridge

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Introduced 1962

The Denon DL 103 was developed by Nippon Columbia / Denki Onkyo (Den-on) and the japanese radio and television broadcast corporation NHK in 1962. This “standard” DL 103 is still in production.
Specifications : output 0.3mV, compliance 5cu, internal impedance 40ohms, recommended VTF 2.5 +/- 0.3grams, spherical stylus. The price in 1970 was 16000 Yen.

1974 : DL 103 S – 8cu, elliptical stylus, rec. VTF 1.8 +/- 0.3grams – 27000 Yen.
Otherwise identical.

1977 : DL 103 D – the 70’s top model. 33ohms, 0.25mV, 12cu, elliptical stylus – 35000 Yen.

1978 : DL 103 T – a DL 103 with a step-up transformer in one box – 29000 Yen.

1981 : DL 103 U – a DL 103 mounted in a Denon headshell – 21000 Yen.

1982 : DL 103 Gold – a gold-laquered “standard” DL 103 – issued to celebrate the
20th Anniversary of the DL 103 – 21000 Yen.

1983 : DL 103 M – lightweight aluminium body, output 0.12mV, impedance 40ohms.
Boron cantilever, elliptical stylus, compliance 13cu, VTF 1.4 +/- 0.2grams – 27000 Yen.

1985 : DL 103 LC / 1986 : DL 103 LC II – LCOFC copper coils, 13ohms, output 0.25mV,
spherical stylus, compliance 5cu, VTF 2.5 +/- 0.3grams – 20000 / 21000 Yen.

1989 : DL 103 SL (Special) – 6N 99,9999 Pure Copper, special white housing,
same specs as DL 103 LC / LC II but 14ohms internal impedance – 30000 Yen.

1990 : DL 103 GL (Gold Limited) – special black housing, output 0.25mV, 40ohms, spherical stylus, 5cu, VTF 2.5 +/- 0.3grams, coils 4N High Purity Gold Wire 99.99%, ltd. production of 2000 – 50000 Yen.

1991 : DL 103 C1 – LCOFC coils, special black housing, output 0.25mV, 14ohms, spherical stylus, 5cu,
VTF 2.5 +/- 0.3grams – 32000 Yen.

1993 : DL 103 FL (Fan Limited) – special white housing, output 0.28mV, 30ohms, spherical stylus, 5cu,
VTF 2.5 +/- 0.3grams – 40000 Yen.

1994 : DL 103 R – same specs as DL 103 SL (special), but standard black housing (slightly glossy though) – 28000 Yen. Still in production.

DL 103 Pro – 0.35mV, 38ohms, 6cu, spherical stylus, VTF 2.0 +/- 0.2grams. Modified by Highphonic – 35000 Yen.

In my collection : DL 103 GL, DL 103 S, DL 103 R, DL 103 LCII, DL 103 M, DL 103 D plus a “standard” DL 103 but modified by A.J. van den Hul (clockwise from bottom center).

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