Does a 103 really need a very heavy arm ?

I have been using my 103Pro in my Audioorigami rewired Ittok LVIII (with 6 gram ballast weight) and LP12 for some time and am now wondering what to do when the tip wears out. Many seem to think the 103 really needs an ancient heavy arm to really sing and that an Ittok really deserves a Troika or similar. Living abroad I am not in a position to audition these alternatives to see what I have (or haven't) been missing out on.
What should I do ? start looking round for a buggered Troika ready to send it to Exco or get my 103Pro retipped by them when the time comes ?

 

I had the Denon DL103R (my avatar!) on the Origin Live Silver Arm and it worked perfectly

 

Hi,
But did it work to the best of its ability ? Have you ever heard a 103 in one of the "recommended" heavy arms like the Fidelity Research etc.? Would it be any different ? Where would the gains to be made show ? What gains ?
Perhaps TonyL can shed some light ? as he used to run a Pro but I don't know which arms he used it in ?

 

I have read the DL103 needs an heavy arm too ... but I have had a good experience with the O.L Silver Arm ..

 

Get some advice from people who've used one, but I'm pretty sure the DL103 doesn't need a 'heavy' arm.

There's a thread in the 'objective' section of Hifi Wigwam that might help.

Paul

 

I too ran a DL-103 in an Ittok on an LP12 for many years and thought it a wonderful combination. More recently I've used them in a Rega RB600 and a Michell Tecnoarm A. In the latter two arms, I've found that the modded Zu DL-103 (a stock Denon generator in a heavy aluminium body) works much better - probably, in part at least, due to the extra mass at the headshell).

Personally, if you're happy with your DL-103 in the Ittok, I'd suggest just getting it retipped as required and spend any spare cash on more vinyl to enjoy.