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Denon DL - 301mkII Phono Cartridge (MC) Great cartridge in as new condition. About 30 hours on it only. Straight canteliver and no marks or scratches on the body. Only selling because I really needed a lower compliance cartridge for my heavy tonearm. Happy to post. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: Cash or bank transfer Region/State: (SA) South Australia/Australia By jonnyadelaide 0 Comments AUD $385 Date: January 25, 20251 yr
At AUD 385 for a used Denon DL cartridge (model unspecified), you're better off eyeing a fresh entry-level Audio-Technica AT-VM95E stylus around AUD 100-150, which punches above its weight for detail and tracking on most arms. Against our database of two recent comparable listings—median AUD 867 (25th percentile AUD 503, 75th AUD 1,232)—this strikes as a potential bargain if it's a classic DL-103 or DL-160 in decent nick, where solid used examples typically span AUD 500-1,000. Unknown condition makes it risky, though; could be fair if serviced recently.
Buyers, verify cantilever alignment and stylus condition under 40x magnification—bent or chipped diamonds are common failures on these moving coils after 500-1,000 hours. Confirm output (0.2-0.3mV typical) matches your phono stage, and insist on original box, manual, and suspension brush if included; skip without compliance specs or seller's playtest clips.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Denon traces its origins to 1910, when American entrepreneur Frederick Whitney Horn founded Japan's first audio equipment company, Nipponophone, initially focused on gramophones and records. The Denon brand emerged in 1939 from the merger of Japan Denki Onkyo—combining "den" for electricity and "on" for sound—with other entities, marking a shift toward professional audio development. This heritage includes pioneering Japan's first professional disc recorder in 1945, used to capture Emperor Hirohito's voice, and launching the nation's first long-playing records in 1951.
The brand excels across a broad spectrum of hi-fi categories, from amplifiers, turntables, and tuners to loudspeakers, cassette decks, and phono cartridges. Denon's innovations extend to digital frontiers, such as the world's first practical PCM recorder in the early 1970s, the inaugural CD player in 1981, and early home theater systems with Dolby Digital in 1995. Today, its lineup encompasses AV receivers, headphones, wireless streaming solutions like HEOS, and high-channel processors, blending professional-grade components with consumer accessibility.
Denon holds a commanding position as a mid-to-high-end mainstay in the hi-fi market, revered for its blend of technological firsts, robust build quality, and balanced sound signatures that appeal to discerning enthusiasts. No longer a vintage collector's niche, it competes confidently against premium rivals, backed by over a century of audio leadership and strategic partnerships like its merger with Marantz.
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