After a few weeks wait for the back ordered Dynavector XX2 MKII it finally arrived. As luck would have it, my digital stylus force gauge crapped out on me after calibration just as I was awaiting the arrival of the MKII. As usual, Jeff at A/V Solutions came through for me. Thanks Jeff. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....abl&1262400602

With the expedited shipping of Jeff's reasonably priced and impressive quality VTF gauge, it was time to get down to business and mount the XX2 as I was getting anxious to hear my first MC cart in my system.

Spreading out all the setup tools I would need on the table as well as bringing in some additional lighting, I put on some background music, made a cup of coffee and got to work.

Removing the Maestro Wood took only a few moments. The installation of the new cartridge is always a task that one should be prepared to do without distractions and thinking ahead as well as making sure the mood is right to do it. No shaky hands or foggy head for this job.

I installed the XX2 without using the stylus guard and this step as always has a high pucker factor. Actually until the TT is back on the rack and the tonearm is resting in its place, the whole setup takes calculated and careful moves around your working area.


I thought I would focus on the setup for those that are interested in those types of things in this post and then elaborate on the sound and impressions a little later on in the thread.

Some pics. Keep in mind, these were really hard to take. Some of them needed to be taken through a magnified glass with a camera on "macro" mode.

Stylus checked through the magnifier.












XX2 Mounted in the headshell and wired.








Using the most excellent Dr.Feickert protractor, the overhang and Loefgren geometry is set. http://www.feickert.com/








Typically, at this point, one would set the VTF (assuming the VTA has already been set) and play some vinyl. This is not good enough for me. Having witnessed the amount of error in the alignment even using the excellent Feickert protractor with the Mint LP "Best Tractor" Best Tractor / Arc Protractor / Mint Tractor / tonearm alignment / Yip Mint Protractor / Mintlp Protractor I was prepared to go the extra distance and really get the alignment down as close to perfection as humanly possible.

The Mint LP "Best Tractor" is a custom made device for your particular table. Without the lighted magnifying glass and the 10X Lupe, the job would be very difficult indeed. The problem with other protractors is that even when they look spot on, they are typically off.... The problem is the almost "microscopic" amount of precision needed to achieve perfection here and the fact that "parallax" effect comes into play. Your eyes will trick you. Parallax is an apparent displacement or difference of orientation of an object viewed along two different lines of sight, and is measured by the angle or semi-angle of inclination between those two lines.

The "Best Tractor" gives you the solution and ability to view the alignment with lines that are superimposed one on top of the other within the mirror protractor body. You only need to line up the superimposed lines and you will notice right away if your alignment is off. The rest takes a bit of patience and microscopic like adjustments of your cartridge in the headshell until alignment improves. Better have patience here. The Clearaudio headshell makes this much easier as it has a central bolt that allows rather fine adjustments while the cartridge is securely mounted to the plate underneath.







Before using the Mint LP "Best Tractor" to fine tune the setup. This pic is after using the Feickert Protractor for geometry and overhang which seemed spot on. Notice the alignment is still off. Doesn't take much of misalignment when you think about the size of the stylus, the vinyl grooves and the way the two interact. Perfection comes with patience.








After using the "Best Tractor" and making fine adjustments. Much better!






VTF re-checked. Suggested VTF is 1.8 to 2.2 gm. I started right down the middle and will tweak further as the cartridge breaks in.








Phew.... TT back in the system and we have music!

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen

Excellent post, great write up thanks for the links also.
Oh, and great pictures too.
Now you just have to tell us how is sounds.

__________________
Chuck


McIntosh C2200, MC352, MR78, MS300, MC275, MVP871
PMC OB1 Speakers, JBL L56
Bryston BDA-1 DAC, Bryston 10B crossover, Bryston BDP-1
Rega P3-24 w/ TTPSU ,Ortofon 2M Black Cartridge, Groovetracer Reference Sub Platter,and upgraded Rega belt
JL Audio F112 Sub, Sony HD Tuner(modified)
PS Audio Soloist Premiers, Power Plant Premier, and Noise Harvesters, Alan Maher Design Filters
Aural Harmony, Black Mountain Interconnects, and Wireworld Speaker Cables, Symposium Roller Blocks, and Fat Padz, Custom made switch box.


Yesterday is history.... Tomorrow is a mystery.... Today is a gift.... That's why its called the present!

Thank you, Serge, for this incredibly detailed and beautiful post.

__________________
Shindo/DeVore Super 8's

One good thing about music: When it hits you, you feel no pain.

Bob Marley

Serge,

Thanks for the post.

__________________
Indeed, if facts were available, then faith is not required, so in a sense, faith can be based on the absence of evidence-a fiction.

Thx Serge...excellent post. Enjoy the new Dyna cart.

__________________
Cyril
Speakers/Amp/Preamp: Thiel CS2.4 / ARC Ref 110 / ARC Ref 3
Sources: Basis 2001/Graham2.2/Nagra BPS/Benz Micro Glider SL, ARC CD7, Oppo BDP-83 SE
Cables/Power/Other: Nordost Heimdall ICs, SCs / Shunyata Hydra 8, Shunyata Python Helix PC / VPI 16.5, HRS Nimbus isolation system

I just got my very own Stylus Force Gauge from AV Solutions, and the protractor is in the mail, after your write up.

The Gauge worked great and I got my cartridge trascking force dialed in perfectly.

Now once I get the Protractor, I will be able to ensure everything is right on the money.

Thanks again for the post.

__________________
Chuck


McIntosh C2200, MC352, MR78, MS300, MC275, MVP871
PMC OB1 Speakers, JBL L56
Bryston BDA-1 DAC, Bryston 10B crossover, Bryston BDP-1
Rega P3-24 w/ TTPSU ,Ortofon 2M Black Cartridge, Groovetracer Reference Sub Platter,and upgraded Rega belt
JL Audio F112 Sub, Sony HD Tuner(modified)
PS Audio Soloist Premiers, Power Plant Premier, and Noise Harvesters, Alan Maher Design Filters
Aural Harmony, Black Mountain Interconnects, and Wireworld Speaker Cables, Symposium Roller Blocks, and Fat Padz, Custom made switch box.


Yesterday is history.... Tomorrow is a mystery.... Today is a gift.... That's why its called the present!

Cool. Which protractor did you go with? I use both, the Feickert for overhang and geometry and then fine tune with the "Best Tractor".

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen

I picked up the Best Tractor for now.

__________________
Chuck


McIntosh C2200, MC352, MR78, MS300, MC275, MVP871
PMC OB1 Speakers, JBL L56
Bryston BDA-1 DAC, Bryston 10B crossover, Bryston BDP-1
Rega P3-24 w/ TTPSU ,Ortofon 2M Black Cartridge, Groovetracer Reference Sub Platter,and upgraded Rega belt
JL Audio F112 Sub, Sony HD Tuner(modified)
PS Audio Soloist Premiers, Power Plant Premier, and Noise Harvesters, Alan Maher Design Filters
Aural Harmony, Black Mountain Interconnects, and Wireworld Speaker Cables, Symposium Roller Blocks, and Fat Padz, Custom made switch box.


Yesterday is history.... Tomorrow is a mystery.... Today is a gift.... That's why its called the present!

Serge,

Great info for proper cartridge installation and the pics are beautiful.

Let us know how it sounds.


Dave

__________________
It's About The Music...McIntosh, Rega, Apple, LSA, Kimber Select, Sound Applicatons, Symposium Acoustics

Great post and great pics! I too await to hear your impressions on the sound.

Pete

__________________
Main System: Harmon Kardon T60 TT/Ortofon MC10, McIntosh: MR80, MCD7009 (as transport), MVP841, C40, MC501's (3), Soundcraftsmen: RP2215-R Eq/AS1000 Real time analyzer, DBX 3BX II, Carver C9, SAE 5000, Nakamichi Dragon, Crown SX724, JVC HM-DH40000U, Toshiba SD-394 Combo Player, Sony Bravia KDL-55EX720 3D LED TV, JBL L220A's, JBL B460/BX63A, AudioQuest Diamondback IC's, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna, Panamax M5100-EX Line conditioner, Integra DBS-30.1 Blu-Ray Player, Wyred for Sound DAC-2 Digital to Analog converter

Florida Room/Studio System: Pioneer PL-L1000 TT/Audio Technica ATS52W2, McIntosh: MR77, C32, MC2205; Hafler DH-500A, Soundcraftsmen RP2215-R Eq, JBL 4313B's, JBL 2241-based Sub, JBL BX63, Cheapie Panasonic DVD/VCR Combo, Sony KV-27FS100 TV, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna

Master Bedroom System: McIntosh: MX117, MC2125; Soundcraftsmen RP2212 Eq, Pioneer Elite DV-09, Phase Technology PC80 Towers, Hitachi 31CX4B TV, Terk AM-FM Pi Powered Antenna, Panamax 1000

Office System: McIntosh MR78, Crown IC150A, Crown DC300, Carver SD/A-490t, Soundcraftsmen RP2212 Eq, Toshiba SD-394 Combo player, JBL 4401's, JBL PB10 Sub, Sony KV-27FS100 TV, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna