Rega RP8 (RB808) & Denon LP103

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

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Wichita KS
I have been thinking about changing my Rega Ania Pro cartridge and am hoping for some input. I have read a lot of really good things about the Denon LP103 and LP103R but am a bit unclear about if one will work properly with my Rega RB808 that is on my Rega RP8 table.

Paul Seymor raved about the Denon cartridges and said do not look at the price prior to reading his review. He said that the price was not a consideration and he was comparing against cartridges regardless of price. The fact that they are so reasonably price is just an added bonus.

I have heard some people claim that they are not a good match with the Rega arms but then I also read people who are using them with Rega arms, and they rave about the results.

Does anyone have any experience with these cartridges and what are your thoughts about using one on a Rega RP8/RB808?
 
I know the Rega “concept” is different (low mass, and all). I have a Zu Audio modded 103 cartridge. (They replace the body with an aluminum one) (there are/were other mods available on google)

I usually run a Benz Micro LP cartridge, which I find to be the best match for my system (technics 1200) when I use the 103r, it’s reminiscent of the sounds I remember from high schools and college years. A bit fuller, with a bit of mid base energy. (Think classic rock in the 70s)

Not an expensive cartridge, and fun to have in the stable.
 
My biggest concern with trying new cartridges on the Rega is that the wires are so thin and fragile coming out of the arm tube. I am afraid to switch them too much. Unlike my Technics with the interchangeable head shell. My Technics is a more basic lower model than yours, but I love that you can mount up other cartridges and switch them easy enough. I have the Ortofon OM-2 Blue mounted on another head shell, not that I play it hardly at all because I like the AT a whole lot better.

A silly consideration I was thinking of taking my AT VM750 and mounting it on the Rega. Using the Rega as the MM table and maybe getting the Denon and mounting it on the Technics. Easy enough to switch the cables from the Rega and Technics to the pre-amp in the McIntosh.

I have also thought of switching the tonearm on the Rega, but I really do not know what direction to go there. What will even work on the Rega, how difficult it is to change arms, etc. I also don't think I want to sink a ton of money into right now.
 
I definitely spent more $ and effort into the analog side of my rig while I was working. Now retired, and all day babysitting a 2 year old half time, I pretty much stick with digital. I’m pretty sure you could upgrade to another Rega arm easily, if desired.

Things will get easier over time, and we are having fun.

That being said, moving to a bigger city does have benefits, actual audio stores, an audio society, at least one vinyl listening room bar (Technics/Luxman/Klipschorns), and I have already met some audiophiles in the neighborhood. As the weather gets harsher, I’m sure we will get together for a vinyl listening session.
 
There is literally no place to look at audio gear here. You would think a town with the local population of over 700,000 would be able to support a decent store. Too bad the only one that was here ended up being a criminal.

I do miss our audio club back in California. I have not met anyone here that has interest in audio (although I know there is one member in AS that lives here, but I cannot remember who). I know the music scene is pretty decent around here with lots of music stores and guitar players, etc.
 
Ok, so after a couple of days and several albums I can see why fans call the Denon LP-103R a very musical cartridge. It is hard to compare it against what the Rega Ania Pro but I would say maybe ever so slightly less subdued on the very top end, cymbals, etc. The top end sounds very good but does not jump out quite as much as the Rega did.

However, the bottom end is very smooth, maybe even to the extreme smooth. But the star of the show is the vocals range. Holy cow, it just pulls you in. The imaging is extremely good and incredibly stable. The image does not "wander" at all.

I know I have some time until it is fully broken in and doing its best, but at this early on time I can certainly see why the Denon has had such a huge following for over 60 years now. I am glad I decided on the R version. It seems to be more in my musical taste.

I think I am going to be like Paul Seymor when he stated in his review that no matter what he tries in the way of cartridges, 4-figure pricing, even 5-figure pricing, he will always have a LP-103 in some variation in his stable of cartridges.
 
nc42acc said:
What arms does the Denon work best on? Would it be suited for a Technics SL1210G?
Click to expand...
They claim that the Denon is not a great match for extremely low mass arms, but it does appear to work fine on my Rega RB808 arm, which is relatively low mass. I did have to roll the counterweight back quite a bit from where it was for the Rega cartridge, but I had no problems getting it to the 2.5g tracking force that is specified for the Denon. I have also read that Technics is an excellent match for the Denon DL-103 cartridges.
 
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