Denon DL-103r or Denon DL-301 MK2 ?

I was wondering which would be the better for me as I am a little new at this.
I have a Technics SL1600
For compliance the Technics arm is medium mass, around 12 grams
I understand the 103r is a low compliance cart and the 301-MK2 is a higher compliance cart so would this make any difference on the med mass Technics arm
Your thoughts of both will be appreciated as this is my first dive into the MC pool as I am currently using a Ortofon 2MBronze.
Thank you and have a safe and Covid free holiday!

 

301

 

I would go with the 301 MKII, as it will be a better match for your arm, and has a better stylus.

jeff

 

The 301 mkII is an excellent cartridge, I haven’t heard the 103R.

 

the Sl1200 sound better then the SL1600
and the denon dl-103r sounds better then the dl-301

sell the sl1600 and get a sl1200+ dl-103r

 

Sometimes you have to play what you have.

 

Looks like the 301 MK2 is the winner!

Thanks all!
Now time to give myself a X-Mas gift

 

I have had both and the 301 was the winner in my book.

 

I run a DL-301 MkII on a tonearm with effective mass of 8g and a VTF of 1.4g. It's a great match. 12g effective mass is at the upper end of what will work well with the DL-301 MkII. Use the lightest mounting hardware possible (think aluminum) and try tracking it at 1.5g or 1.6g and you should be good. Enjoy.

The DL-301 MkII was my first LOMC and I still love its sound. It's very musical sounding with great bass and very quiet in the groove. What phono stage will you be using? The DL-301 MkII sounds best with an input impedance between 330 and 470 ohms (exact value dependent on personal preference and the rest of your system).

 

Thanks!
I will be using a Carver C1 that has had up-grades and mods to a BillD unit. It has a MM and MC inputs on rear with a input impedance of 330 ohms.
If I find it to not dance well with the C1 would a Denon AU300LC SUT be a good match?

 

with the sl1600 arm, the 103r will just not work! so yeah go with the 301mk2. but I think its worth it to upgrade to 103r and sl-1200

 

Yes, the AU-300LC is a good match for the DL-301 MkII. That's what I was using with my 301 until I purchased an AU-320. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if I can tell much difference in sound between the 300LC and the 320. The 300LC went on to serve in another system with a Denon DL-103 cart.

 

Yes, the AU-300LC is a good match for the DL-301 MkII, affordable, too.

What gain options does your Carver have? I am running my DL-301 MkII with 60dB of gain.

 

The DL103 doesn't work well on the SL1200 w/o lots of workarounds - so I wouldn't recommend it. Once you have the workarounds it works well.

 

Thanks again folks!!!!

 

Denon DL-301 Mk. 2 is a superior choice for the Technics tonearm, which is medium mass. Ideal together.

 

I have used a stock DL-103r on my SL-1200, along with a Sumiko headshell to bring up the effective mass a bit and it worked pretty well, but the same cart (w/ aluminum cap) mounted in a 12" Schick arm and headshell seems to be more at home.

I agree that going with DL-301 Mk.2 on the SL-1200 is probably the easier route to sonic nirvana

 

Well I pulled the trigger on a DL 301 MK2 and figure I might as well start shopping for a Denon AU-300LC SUT.

 

I don't see why the 103r would work any better on a 1200MK2 arm than on a 1600 arm. They are very similar arms.

 

OP didn't indicate it is 1600mk1 or mk2. if it is mk2, it is essentially the same as 1200mk2, with auto features.

 

SL1600 no MK

 

You go to war with the army you’ve got...

 

Great cart .... enjoy!

 

Did and it sounds GREAT!! I am enjoying it better than my M Bronze for most recordings.
Thanks all.