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  #11  
Old 05-01-2019, 11:16 AM
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audioguy3107 audioguy3107 is offline
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Hi Rob - I currently use an XX2 mkII and I haven’t had any issues with it, it sounds spectacular. FWIW, our dealer sells Lyra, Dynavector and Clearaudio and he recommended the Dyna due to the synergy between it and the VPI tables. The XX 2 is known for being somewhat neutral with good attack and bass slam which lines up pretty well with what I hear (as you may remember I have the ARC Ref 2 SE as well). I would wait for the setup check to see what’s going on before pulling the trigger on a new cartridge, the XX2 is pretty much universally loved from what I could tell in my research before I bought mine. Two questions, what is the tracking force you have and is your tonearm parallel, slightly tail up or slightly tail down?

- Buck
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3
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  #12  
Old 05-01-2019, 11:28 AM
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timztunz timztunz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robc33 View Post
Well, because my local dealer said that I really need the platinum magnets, and that puts me in the $7,500 ball park.
And a lovely ballpark it is!
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  #13  
Old 05-01-2019, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 View Post
Am wondering what you've "heard" after having your TT/TA set-up checked by an 'expert'. Do you have him/her do both cartridges for you so you could compare to one another (as much as possible with the time lag after swapping same - no mean feat - one reason I go with a universal headshell TA). Dyna, Ortofon, Koetsu, etc., definitely all have their 'house sound'. To my ears AT and Ortofon are the most pleasing. YMMV.
p.s. - some tube-rolling in your ARC preamp migh change everything.
Well, the table was a bit out of whack. The speed was off, to start out with, tracking force was a bit light, VTA, and anti skate not too bad. It took a couple of hours to dial everything in on the Dynavector. Another hour listening, trying different settings on the phono stage. I was pretty damn pleased with what I was hearing, so I decided to spend some time with this cart for a while. I will look into a head shell, or possibly a second arm, and will have my eyes peeled for a gently use Koetsu cart, but in the mean time,
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VAC Master Line stage on Stillpoint Ultra SS
VAC Signature 200iq monos on Stillpoint Ultra SS,
MX-150
Parasound JC-1s (3), A-21
Kharma dB11-s Mains, Cremona M (center) Grand Pianos (rears)
JL Audio Gotham G213 V1(1) F-112V1(1) F-112V2(1)
Clearaudio Innovation Wood, Benz Micro Gullwing SLR Dynavector XX2 MK2 Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Audio Research Ref 2se phono
Lumin X1
Lumin S1
Oppo-205
AudioQuest Hurricane HC, Tornado HC(2), and Thunder HC, Diamond RJ/E
PS Audio P-10(2) AC-3, AC-5, AC-10 PCs.
(6) dedicated 20 amp circuits, (6)Furutech outlets.
(1) GDX-DR-NCF, (2) GDX-D Gold, (3) GDX-D Rhodium
AZ Absolute Copper, and Clear Day Audio solid silver Bal ICs.
WW Gold Eclipse 7 speaker cables.
Rob
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  #14  
Old 05-01-2019, 05:51 PM
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Robc33 Robc33 is offline
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Two questions, what is the tracking force you have and is your tonearm parallel, slightly tail up or slightly tail down?

- Buck[/QUOTE]

Tracking force is at 2.1, and I believe the arm was leveled for 180 gram albums. Open to any suggestions.
__________________
VAC Master Line stage on Stillpoint Ultra SS
VAC Signature 200iq monos on Stillpoint Ultra SS,
MX-150
Parasound JC-1s (3), A-21
Kharma dB11-s Mains, Cremona M (center) Grand Pianos (rears)
JL Audio Gotham G213 V1(1) F-112V1(1) F-112V2(1)
Clearaudio Innovation Wood, Benz Micro Gullwing SLR Dynavector XX2 MK2 Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Audio Research Ref 2se phono
Lumin X1
Lumin S1
Oppo-205
AudioQuest Hurricane HC, Tornado HC(2), and Thunder HC, Diamond RJ/E
PS Audio P-10(2) AC-3, AC-5, AC-10 PCs.
(6) dedicated 20 amp circuits, (6)Furutech outlets.
(1) GDX-DR-NCF, (2) GDX-D Gold, (3) GDX-D Rhodium
AZ Absolute Copper, and Clear Day Audio solid silver Bal ICs.
WW Gold Eclipse 7 speaker cables.
Rob
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  #15  
Old 05-01-2019, 07:30 PM
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audioguy3107 audioguy3107 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robc33 View Post
Two questions, what is the tracking force you have and is your tonearm parallel, slightly tail up or slightly tail down?

- Buck
Tracking force is at 2.1, and I believe the arm was leveled for 180 gram albums. Open to any suggestions.[/QUOTE]

Tracking force looks good, from everything I’ve read, VPI tables in the Classic series prefer to be run with the tail (end next to counterweight) slightly down rather than parallel. I experimented with this forever when I first got mine setup and I preferred the sound with it like that. It wasn’t any massive difference, but I could hear some brightness tamed a little. Everything sounded more coherent like this. One of these days I may grab one of those USB microscopes and see what angle my stylus is tracking. Fremer is a huge advocate of this.

- Buck
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3
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  #16  
Old 05-01-2019, 08:10 PM
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Ok, thanks Buck. I am not using the VPI anymore. I just upgraded to an Innovation Wood.
__________________
VAC Master Line stage on Stillpoint Ultra SS
VAC Signature 200iq monos on Stillpoint Ultra SS,
MX-150
Parasound JC-1s (3), A-21
Kharma dB11-s Mains, Cremona M (center) Grand Pianos (rears)
JL Audio Gotham G213 V1(1) F-112V1(1) F-112V2(1)
Clearaudio Innovation Wood, Benz Micro Gullwing SLR Dynavector XX2 MK2 Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Audio Research Ref 2se phono
Lumin X1
Lumin S1
Oppo-205
AudioQuest Hurricane HC, Tornado HC(2), and Thunder HC, Diamond RJ/E
PS Audio P-10(2) AC-3, AC-5, AC-10 PCs.
(6) dedicated 20 amp circuits, (6)Furutech outlets.
(1) GDX-DR-NCF, (2) GDX-D Gold, (3) GDX-D Rhodium
AZ Absolute Copper, and Clear Day Audio solid silver Bal ICs.
WW Gold Eclipse 7 speaker cables.
Rob
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  #17  
Old 05-01-2019, 08:41 PM
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audioguy3107 audioguy3107 is offline
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Originally Posted by Robc33 View Post
Ok, thanks Buck. I am not using the VPI anymore. I just upgraded to an Innovation Wood.
Ahh, yep, I need to read better!
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3
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