Hi Guys!
First of all, thanks to Doc Lito for helping me install and set-up the FR arm...JA, you'll be proud of me, marunong na ako...just need the proper tools, hahaha!
Finally, I was able to A-B three (3) SUTs, my
Denon AU-320, and Doc Plasticman's Altec 15095 and Fidelity Research FRT-3...Here are my observations based on critical listening done yesterday 'til 3:00AM this morning (YES, alas-tres ng madaling araw!)
Altec 15095 - I believe this is an excellent match w/ the Denon 103 (Standard)...it has a warm presentation, although less of the detail...very nice mids...bass is a tad light versus my normal "expectation"...overall very engaging...this SUT is "swak na swak" for vocals...and as most friends would share, it makes your DL-103 sing like a Koetsu
Fidelity Research FRT-3 - I was texting Doc Lito that "I never heard my Sergio Mendes LPs sound this GOOD before!"...the FRT-3's neutral presentation enhanced the "warmness" of the DL-103 Standard...the advantage: DETAIL...I can hear so much detail...however, the soundstage became smaller vs. the Altecs...and JA, you're right, it works well with the "higher ohm-setting" vs. the lower-ohm setting IMHO, and based on my system...this SUT has the edge in PRAT...it's "more correct sounding"
...IMHO, this SUT will match better with the DL-103R vs. my DL-103 Standard...and maybe a DL-102 MONO (Yahoo, next project for my MONO LPs)
Denon AU-320 - this is my own SUT...After listening to the two SUTs on loan, I fired up the Denon AU-320 yesterday afternoon...and it stayed until the wee hours of the morning...this SUT was really made for the DL-103...they're a match made in heaven...the warmness of Stacey Kent's voice will envelop you...mids are rich yet not so syrup-py...it excels in the bass section...wider soundstage vs. the FRT-3 although the Altecs are more superior in the "warmness"...BUT the Denons are more balanced over-all...I now understand why this is a HARD TO FIND SUT...especially in the 40-ohm setting, galing, well balanced, "very pleasing to the ears"
It's a keeper!
Even before I left for the office this morning, played Bob James' "Friends" from Lucky Seven...I am a happy camper
So, the question is: "What's next for SuFRman??" The Denon will STAY...if I'll have extra dough I'll get an FRT-3 or Altec 15905 for the Denon DL-103R - maybe two years from now
THANKS GUYS FOR READING! THIS IS FUN...and tama ka Doc Lito, MAGASTOS!! YARI NA NAMAN AKO...PS: Doc, I never got to try YET the phono switcher, wala pang 2nd TT eh, hahaha!
EQUIPMENT USED:VPI HW-19Mk3 TT w/ FR64-FX Arm, FR Headshell, Denon DL-103 Standard Cart, VPI TNT6 Platter, VPI PLC/Speed Controller, COnrad Johnson PV-6 Pre-Amp, Conrad Johnson MV-52 Power Amp, Opera Prima Bookshelf Speakers, Purist Audio Design Speaker Cables and Interconnects
