PV7 - MM or MC phono cartridge compatbility

[Elrick]

I picked up a new (used) Denon DP62L turntable the other day and need cartridge. I'm interested in trying a Denon DL-110 or DL-103 cartridge, but not sure if the PV7 will play good with these moving coil cartridges. The DL-110 is considered a high output moving coil (HOMC) cartridge with 1.6mV output. The DL103 is a normal MC cartridge with 0.3mV output.

I looked through the PV7 manual and it didn't mention any internal settings or jumpers to change the phono input characteristics. I thick I read that it will distort at 0.5V input and had 47KOhm input impedance. This will be my first venture into MC cartridges but just not sure if it's suitable in my case. Any one have any other cartridge recommendations for the Denon DP-62L with the c-j PV7 ?

Thanks, hope my question makes sense.

[petertg]

Neither of these cartridges suits the pv7. For the dl103 you will need a step up transformer with at least 22db of gain (1:13 turns ratio). Denon makes a nice one (au-s1). For the dl110 the denon au-300lc should work. Otherwise stick to mm cartridges, audio technica makes some that are mc-like sounding - very clear and transparent.

[ronenash]

Another option would be a high output MC cartridge like the Sumiko Blackbird. A great performing cartridge but at the higher price point.

[Elrick]

Just thought I would report back. The Denon DL110 (High Output Moving Coil) cartridge that I installed works wonderfully on the cj PV7. Sounds way better in every way than the standard MM carts I have used for the last 40 years. If I ever decide to make the move up to a Low Output Moving Coil cart like the DL103 line, a separate phono preamp stage is indeed needed, but not with the DL110. Got to say, my new 35 year old Denon DP62L direct drive w/ servo controlled tone arm is the best performing table I have tried. I'm listening to mostly LP's now, depending on the record they sound better than CD!

[MLAS]

I play with a Denon DL-103 MC direct on my PV-9a without any problems.

Denon DL-103 on Micro Seiki BL-71 into CJ PV-9A directly pic1.jpeg (218.23 KiB) Viewed 81 times

Denon DL-103 on Micro Seiki BL-71 into CJ PV-9A directly pic2.jpeg (155.39 KiB) Viewed 81 times

[admin]

Looks amazing. Love the wood grain on that TT,... gorgeous.

[MLAS]

Thanks admin.

I'm curious if there are any other vinyl lovers with Denon DL-103's directly into their Phono inputs of a PV preamp.

[roberto]

Hola MLAS,
I am a very happy user of the Denon DL103R cartridge. Some PV preamps, their phono sections has a lot of input sensitive allowing to drive the MC cartridges. Just try it, you won't harm anything.

[33 rpm]

Thanks all for posting. My Clearaudio MM with 3.5mV output was way too much for my PV10A with its 48dB phono stage gain. So, I went with a DL-110 like the OP given its 1.6mV output (internet posts say it's more like 2.1mV though) based on the KAB calculator and reviews of the cartridge. I never would have thought that the DL-103 and its 0.25/0.3 mV output would work with a PV-9A and its 47dB phono stage gain. That's good to know! I guess I have more options for my next cart than I thought.

[Joe Appierto]

That's strange. I used an Ortofon 2M Black MM cartridge 5.0 mV output with my PV10A and had absolutely no volume issues. None.

[Joe Appierto]

It just occurred to me that Bill Thalmann modified my PV-10AL by (among other things) adding a phonostage. It wasn't a stock PV-10A. Perhaps he "tamed" the phonostage output so it wasn't 48dB. It was so long ago I no longer remember the particulars and that might explain why I didn't have any problems using the 2M Ortofon Black cartridge.

[33 rpm]

Joe, I think my problem may have been the interface between the PV10A's healthy output with the Clearaudio MM and the 0.5V input sensitivity of the LP66S.

[MLAS]

Hola MLAS,
I am a very happy user of the Denon DL103R cartridge. Some PV preamps, their phono sections has a lot of input sensitive allowing to drive the MC cartridges. Just try it, you won't harm anything.

I just went for it and it goes fine!