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Devon Turnbull (OJAS) Collaborates with Denon to Reimagine the DL-103R Moving Coil Cartridge
![](https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/denon-dl-103o-dl-103r-mc-cart.jpeg 1280w, https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/denon-dl-103o-dl-103r-mc-cart-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/denon-dl-103o-dl-103r-mc-cart-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/denon-dl-103o-dl-103r-mc-cart-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/denon-dl-103o-dl-103r-mc-cart-600x338.jpeg 600w, https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/denon-dl-103o-dl-103r-mc-cart-1200x675.jpeg 1200w)
In collaboration with Devon Turnbull, the Denon DL-103o moving coil phono cartridge contains a DL-103R in a stylish clear case.
Denon has teamed up with Devon Turnbull of OJAS, renowned for his luxury Hi-Fi brand, to reimagine Denon’s DL-103R Flagship Moving Coil Phono Cartridge, as the DL-103o, a limited-edition cartridge which features a transparent casing that showcases its intricate circuitry.
Denon moving-coil cartridges feature a low-mass design that lets the cantilever move more easily, meticulously reproducing the subtlest details.
Heritage & Innovation
Building on the legacy of the DL-103, Denon’s original moving coil cartridge. The DL-103 was originally designed for professional broadcast use in 1962 and has remained a staple in audio technology, the current version is the DL-103R.
![Denon DL-103R Moving Coil Phono Cartridge](https://cdn.ecoustics.com/db0/wblob/17BA35E873D594/34C4/45D9B/FPBAxyIbnaHhhFEgVO0GA0eipCvx03GCmkWoHHWLNdM/denon-dl-103r.jpg)
Specifications
- Cartridge Type: MC (Moving Coil)
- Output Voltage: 0.25 mV (1 kHz, 50 mm/s horizontal direction)
- Channel Balance: 1 dB max. (1 kHz)
- Channel Separation: 25 dB min. (1 kHz)
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 45 kHz
- Electrical Impedance: 14 ohms ±20%
- Load Impedance: 100 ohms min (40 ohms when using a transformer)
- Stylus: 0.2 mm square solid diamond
- Tracking Force: 25 mN ±3 mN (2.5 g ±0.3 g)
- Compliance: 5 x 10-3 m/N (Using a 100 Hz record)
- Weight: 8.5 g/0.3 oz
![Denon DL-103o Moving Coil Phono Cartridge](https://cdn.ecoustics.com/db0/wblob/17BA35E873D594/34C4/45D9C/NSaGr7tgxIVtIN7CSRWhTEcTNS6E0RNKv_8BF-6UtF8/denon-dl-103o-mc-cart.jpg)
DL-103o Highlights
The DL-103o’s low-mass stylus assembly boasts significant advantages over moving-magnet-type assemblies. The moving-coil assembly supports wider dynamics, clearer highs, and tighter transients.
The DL-103o’s conical tip is easy to set up and ensures optimal contact with record grooves for better tracking, reduced distortion, and enhanced depth and clarity.
Fine-gauge 99.9999% pure 6N copper wire coils are hand-wound with precision to the cantilever shaft supports more precise imaging and low-frequency response.
The low-compliance cartridge is easier to implement in a range of turntable setups, ensuring optimal sound quality and stability in every listening session — but attention needs to paid when selecting the appropriate tonearm.
Devon Turnbull’s clear casing design is visually stunning and provides a unique educational insight into the cartridge’s inner workings.
![Devon Turnbull Examining Denon DL-103o Phono Cartridge on table](https://cdn.ecoustics.com/db0/wblob/17BA35E873D594/34C4/45D9A/eLqvLXMyzY3l0POHjLG3mz0TcZ-YdZ-kvwbZxeYhTyY/testing-denon-dt-1030-mc-cart.jpg)
![Devon Turnbull holding Denon DL-103o Phono Cartridge](https://cdn.ecoustics.com/db0/wblob/17BA35E873D594/34C4/45D99/6WmI8LbjhtLu7ow8lkMbCmM0Z5cLbz_LPJV8omLPbPM/devon-turnbull.jpg)
Devon Turnbull Partnership
Devon Turnbull has long been an advocate for high-quality audio experiences, and his collaboration with Denon underscores a mutual commitment to excellence and innovation in the audiophile community.
From Devon Trumbull: “For me, the exciting opportunity of working with the DL-103R is just being able to educate people about the way things work and why they work as well as they do…“
Related: Be sure to check out Devon’s HiFi Pursuit Listening Room Dream No. 2, a functional sculpture that facilitates exceptionally high-fidelity music playback, at SF Moma’s Art of Noise exhibition on view until August 18, 2024.
![](https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image.png)
This article originally appeared at ecoustics.com and has been published here with permission.