Item was part of a part exchange deal on one of my Temaad arms. This cart is now just back from being refurbished by Steven at VAS in the in the USA. He has fitted a Swizz soured upgraded cantilever & Nude Elliptical stylus. So performance can be expected to be better than original
Denon DL-303 is is a much under rated cart in the Denon range. It is actually identical to the superb 305 with the exception of the cantilever
Plus it has the bonus of being medium compliance meaning it can match many of the popular arms available, whereas the Denon 103 requires a heavy arm to sound it's best. Cart has no hours on it since refurbishment
This cart is just back from being refurbished by Steven at VAS in the in the USA. He has fitted a Swizz soured upgraded cantilever & Nude Elliptical stylus. So performance can be expected to be better than original
Note : This cart new would cost around $4500 now (after inflation adjustment), that's how good this range is. When 1st released in 1992 the 303 cost 3 times, the 103 cost.
(Note :If you wanted to upgrade it to the 305, one step under the DSL, it would cost only about $300)
| Type | Type | |
| 303 Moving Coil | 305 Moving Coil | |
| 20Hz - 70kHz | 20Hz - 75kHz | |
| Tracking Force1 - 1.4 g Mass 5.8 g |
Tracking Force1 - 1.4 g Mass 5.8g |
|
| Channel Separation 28dB | Channel Separation 28dB | |
| Channel Balance 1dBΩ | Channel Balance 1dB | |
| Load Impedance >100 | Load Impedance >100Ω | |
| Output Impedance 40 Ω | Output Impedance 40 Ω | |
| Stylus Tip | Stylus Tip | |
| 0.05 x 0.1mm Special Elliptical |
0.05 x 0.1mm Special Elliptical | |
| Aluminum Tapered Pipe Dynamic Compliance |
Amorphous Boron Pipe Dynamic Compliance |
|
| x 10-6cm Compliance | x 10-6cm Compliance |
Check out the Reviews
Mr Pig – Audio Karma
This afternoon I installed the Denon on the Thorens ET combo and got it lined out. Been listening to it off and on all evening, and it really is an inviting cartridge. Has warmth and texture and a liquid sound that is significantly different from my $2,000 Clearaudio. That cartridge is vivid, intimate, and transparent to almost a fault. Kind of like looking through those clear waters in the Caribbean and seeing all the aquatic life flitting on by. The Denon is more like a bubbling brook, smooth, relaxing, yet remarkably textured and commutative. While I tend to gravitate more to the sound of the Clearaudio, I have to say this Denon makes a wonderful change of pace, and a strong case for a warm and inviting cartridge presentation.
From what I have read the Denon DL 305 and 303 were the top of the line, and next to the top in their product line for that time period. The difference with the 305 using a boron cantilever. I have read where others think the 303/305 have more in common with the DL-S1 than the 304, which at first seems to be the logical predecessor to the 303
Denon DL-303
by gpdavis2
Great cartridge for the money. Got as part of a vintage TT purchase with a broken stylus. Had it retipped for $250 by the SoundSmith and it is an excellent, quiet, smooth, detailed cartridge. Probably be my 'daily driver' MC cartridge (others are the Ortofon Kontrapunkt-b & AT33R). Best $250 cartridge I've owned.
by desertdog
I used one of these for about 3 years off and on. very good smooth detailed sound, super for classical string orchestra. i found it to be far better sounding than my DL103D.