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Denon DL-A110 — 110th Anniversary Limited Edition MC Phono Cartridge Complete in Box (CIB) | Rigorously Bench-Tested | Mint Cosmetic ConditionSerial Number: 2587🔬 Bench Test Results & Condition ReportThis unit has been meticulously inspected and audio-tested to ensure peak performance for the next owner:Stylus Wear: Inspected under a Shure SEK-2 microscope — no visible wear on the diamond tip.Channel Separation: Measured at an extraordinary 35 dB using a Musical Surroundings Fozgometer V2 on a Technics SL-1200MK4 turntable (exceeds factory spec of ≥25 dB).Tracking Performance: Successfully passed the Ortofon Test Record, tracking up to 100 µm lateral amplitude at 315 Hz with zero audible distortion. Exceptional tracking ability!Cantilever: 100% straight, centered, and fully functional.Cartridge Body & Headshell: Pristine, collector-grade condition with no visible signs of previous use.📦 What’s Included (Complete Factory Package)Denon DL-A110 MC Cartridge pre-mounted in exclusive Silver-Graphite Anniversary Headshell (Gold-plated SME connector)Original Commemorative Carrying Case (featuring the 110th Anniversary metal logo inlay)Certificate of Authenticity (stamped with Denon Chief Engineer approval)Individual Factory Frequency Response Measurement Protocol printoutOriginal Stylus Guard / CoverStylus Cleaning BrushOwner’s Manual & Safety/Warranty Document🌟 About the Denon DL-A110 Released to celebrate 110 years of audio excellence, the DL-A110 features a hand-wound Denon DL-103 moving coil engine mounted inside a reproduction of Denon’s iconic 1960s Japanese broad-casting headshell. Styled in an exclusive silver-graphite finish with gold-plated bayonet connections, it offers a refined vinyl playback experience combining rich history with ultra-precise modern manufacturing. 🔊 Sound Profile & System Compatibility:Sonic Character: Classic DL-103 warmth, deep dynamic bass, sweet midrange, and smooth high-frequency response.Tonearm Match: Due to total mass (~18.5g combined) and low dynamic compliance, this cartridge performs best on medium-to-high mass S-shaped or J-shaped tonearms with standard SME bayonet mounts (e.g., Technics SL-1200 series).Preamp Requirement: Requires a dedicated Moving Coil (MC) phono stage or Step-Up Transformer (SUT).*Note: This is a low-output Moving Coil (MC) DL-103 variant, not the high-output DL-110.*⚙️ Technical SpecificationsCartridge Type: Low-Output Moving Coil (MC)Output Voltage: 0.3 mV (1 kHz, 50 mm/s)Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 45,000 HzTracking Force: 2.5 g (±0.3 g) / 25 mN (±3 mN)Stylus Tip: 0.2 mm Square Solid Diamond (0.65 mil spherical)Electrical Impedance: 40 Ω ±20% (1 kHz)Recommended Load Impedance≥100 Ω (40 Ω with Step-Up Transformer)Total Weight: 18.5 g (Cartridge + Headshell)Interface Mount: Universal SME Bayonet MountItem will be packed with extreme care in a sturdy box with ample cushion materials to ensure safe transit.
Recent comparable asking prices put the Denon DL-A110 at a US$749 median, with the lower quartile at US$600 and upper quartile at US$755. At US$450, this is a genuine bargain—well below the 25th percentile, assuming the listing is correctly identified and the cartridge is functional.
The DL-A110 is a limited-edition, low-output moving-coil cartridge built around Denon’s respected DL-103 design, supplied in a distinctive graphite headshell. It offers a lively, authoritative presentation and broad compatibility with SME-style bayonet arms, but needs a suitable MC phono input or step-up arrangement and typically prefers a medium- to high-mass arm. At this price, verify stylus condition, channel output, the headshell connector, and that the original case and accessories are included; even without them, US$450 is compelling if the stylus has useful life.
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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