Denon DL-110 vs Denon DL-103 vs LP Gear BIN323

In the golden years of audio, enthusiasts had the opportunity to audition various equipment prior to making a purchase decision. Nowadays, that is not possible with the rarity of brick and mortar audio shops, social-distancing with Covid-19, and the cessation of listening opportunities at audio stores. Thus, our raison d'etre and compelling reason for LP GEAR's Audition series of videos.
In this video, you will audition three desirable MC cartridges: The Denon DL-110 high output MC cartridge, the industry standard Denon DL-103 MC cartridge and the LP GEAR BIN 323 High Output MC cartridge. To optimize record playback we used the LP GEAR 9G Record Clamp and the LP Gear T1200 Platter Outer Ring. To eliminate volume bias, we adjusted the output volume to be the same for all cartridges.
Thoughts: Surprisingly the three cartridges sounded superbly lovely and in close proximity with each other. Of the three, the BIN 323 and the DL-103 offered slightly better resolution, high frequency clarity and heft than the DL-110. Compared to the DL-103, the BIN 323 offered the lovelier sound: smooth, delicate highs, airier dispersion and fuller bodied vocal rendition. The DL-110 though equivalently superb, was outfinnessed. Ultimately, the BIN 323 offers the best overall value in terms of music reproduction, cost of acquisition and ownership (no need for a step up device unlike the DL-103).

[@carylee2002]

I just added my DL-110 to replace my older Ortofon Blue ... best decision to go the next step. I can now hear a much more dynamic bottom end that is tight and without the high cd type mids and highs that the blue emits.

[@euro-music-library]

Denon DL-110...A Great cartridge!👌 (Basically all Denon cartridges...)

[@derekviveiros]

The trade offs! Geez... hard to not love that solo guitar wit the LP, but the overall presentation for listening to a whole song , album, hours ....it's the DL-110 for me. So seductive, draws me in.

[@johnbravo7542]

That's the best description to what I was thinking,seductive and draws you in.

[@derekviveiros]

@@johnbravo7542 Thanks! Still stand by that as I listen to it again

[@mgsee]

The bass and especially the kick drum on the first cartridge is by far the best and drives the track along beautifully. The bass quality on the LP GEAR is muddled compared to the other two. It lacks depth, solidity and clarity. Lacking a clean bass and percussive impact that would provide a solid foundation for the track it's sonic qualities higher up the frequency range are wasted.

[@biliescu]

For me, the contest is between 103 and LP. I find the LP a little heavier on the mid-bass so, in the end, the winner is 103.

[@mikezelenko4166]

Denon -103

[@Boss-wy2ch]

This one was super close I thought. Via KZbin there isnt much at all between the Denon DL 103 and the LP Gear BIN323 imo, the Denon DL110 not quite as open and a little less top end to it. On a brighter system the DL110 might fit better. I could happily live with any of them.

[@tywoodruff8578]

The Bin 323 was my winner, kind of sounded like a veil had been removed from the speakers. Also, listening to Keith Urban was least annoying with it.

[@keithscroggins9517]

I actually prefer the LP Gear cartridge, feel like it’s a little more open and bringing out some instrumentation that is buried with the Denon carts.

[@utub1473]

The LP Gear is a great sounding cartridge wow!

[@z90012]

Love the 110 getting one nice and punchy it will run from my Denon PMA 600 na amp photo stage👍😀

[@christisvictorious]

I thought the Dl-110 had more heft than the DL-103 but I preferred the LP Gear to both as it had more air, space, detail, while still having lovely warm midrange. I am very Impressed by that 323, wow! When switched back to the 103 it's like putting a blanket over the speakers. Great job engineering that 323! Could you do a comparison between your Lp Gear Cf95e cartridge which I currently have and that BIN 323 please?

[@pannonianbrute]

Point well made....LP Gear sounds more musical and relaxed, also less “peaky” than the dl110 but more revealing than a DL103, or so say my phones’ speakers. Also a very fair comparision, since all favour a slightly heavier tonearm, as far as I know (mismatched compliance is where I feel a lot of these videos can lead one astray). Seems like a good choice for my old Ortofon as212.

[@edugomh]

El denon dl 103 puede soportar una mala alineación, altura, peso, etc, por ser una aguja conica, el DL 110 tiene que ajustarse muy bien para mejor resultado, su aguja es mas fina. Ambos son muy buenas, pero el DL110 bien configurada da un sonido mas musical, en cambio el dl 103 es mas neutral.

[@seva3star]

Regret did not "listen" this video before, bought DL110 in March

[@bristolfashion4421]

How Fun!

[@satanertau2689]

Listening through a Pioneer SX-3900 & a pair of JBL 4430's via my pc outs. Very tough. I think the 110 sounds the most clinical, most precise. Very tight. It is a bit subdued in the mids though. The LP certainly has more output, and is more open. Seems a pinch shrill in the mids & highs to me, maybe because they're so much more forward. The LP does shine in the detail it provides to the guitar overall. The 103 seems like a good mix between the two, with a slightly more airy mid, which I'm not a fan of personally. I'd probably pick the 110 myself. I'd love to hear a version of the LP dialed back just a bit.

[@Lasse3]

0:05 0:51 1:19 LP is the most neutral in this system, no question best extension and balance. DL 103 comes close, but falls short with rolled-off sonic character, increasing VTA would open it up.. DL 110 just sounds horrendous.

[@BIGZARG]

Both sound good

[@meckarmickebjornsson2567]

Denon 103

[@andrewscott1253]

What phono amp you using to pull that much Bass out of a record? I can only dream of bass that nice and would love to achieve something close to that.

[@onderov]

LP gear is the only of the three I don't like. It's way too shrill. I could live with either DL-110 or DL-103. Preferably 103, that mid range is magical.

[@nicktayloriv310]

All three sound great but different. The rest of the system would have to be involved in which I'd choose. (I already have a decent MC setup).

[@Zach_Routhier]

This is what you came here for 0:35 1:51

[@acme.videos]

Denon DL 110 for me, DL 103 next.

[@pete1927]

Wish I could have no clicks or pops, or have they been edited?

[@consumerreview1463]

Скрытая реклама Gear BIN323 )

[@Jayden-nf7cz]

How is DL 103R 's innergroove distortion? Does it make a lot of distorted sound?

[@loczeokosss683]

k!mon! only DL110!

[@Bever70]

Ouch, that Lp gear cart scores badly!

[@magicmanRND]

Что бы выбрал DL103 или Goldring 1042 ?

[@GiantRock62]

1042

[@GiantRock62]

DL-103

[@lotusmanb3832]

Dl103 all the way for me... fatter and smoother.

[@dlandei9483]

110 it's perfect! 🎉

[@AleksanderKrawczyk]

they all sound the same. sorry. listening on PC with Hifiman headphones.