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Turntables & Tonearms Where Analog still Rules

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  #1  
Old 10-23-2009, 07:52 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
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Default Dynavector XX-2 MKII

Anyone have any experience with the Dynavector XX-2 MKII cartridge? I am considering trying it in my system.

Seems to have very good reviews.

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  #2  
Old 10-23-2009, 09:44 PM
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cmalak cmalak is offline
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Here are a few reviews on it which I am sure you have seen but just in case:
http://www.dynavector.com/pdf/xx2mk2_hificritic.pdf
Dynavector xx2 MkII - [English]

Serge, I don't have direct experience with the XX2-MkII but in case you care, it comes highly recommended by Jeff Catano at High Water Sound who is exclusive importer/distributor of the TW Acustic Raven tables. When I called about the Raven One and asked what cart he thought pared up well with the ARC PH7 and the Graham Phantom tonearm he was also recommending, he said the Dynavector XV-1S or the XX2-MkII, which he said gets you 90% of the way to the XV-1S at 35% of the cost.

I have heard the lower Dyna carts (DV-20X and 17D3 Karat) on various table/tonearm/phono combos in my auditioning sessions and thought they were excellent. Very neutral, fast, good deep bass, and highly resolving. I thought the Dynavector sound was accurate tonally and in depicting instrumental timbres, but if you are looking for a lush, warm, midrange-focused type presentation, I would look elsewhere.
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Old 10-23-2009, 09:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
Here are a few reviews on it which I am sure you have seen but just in case:
http://www.dynavector.com/pdf/xx2mk2_hificritic.pdf
Dynavector xx2 MkII - [English]

Serge, I don't have direct experience with the XX2-MkII but in case you care, it comes highly recommended by Jeff Catano at High Water Sound who is exclusive importer/distributor of the TW Acustic Raven tables. When I called about the Raven One and asked what cart he thought pared up well with the ARC PH7 and the Graham Phantom tonearm he was also recommending, he said the Dynavector XV-1S or the XX2-MkII, which he said gets you 90% of the way to the XV-1S at 35% of the cost.

I have heard the lower Dyna carts (DV-20X and 17D3 Karat) on various table/tonearm/phono combos in my auditioning sessions and thought they were excellent. Very neutral, fast, good deep bass, and highly resolving. I thought the Dynavector sound was accurate tonally and in depicting instrumental timbres, but if you are looking for a lush, warm, midrange-focused type presentation, I would look elsewhere.
I see I am not the only one who is interested in the Raven. I've spoken to Jeff as well and the Raven One will most likely be my next table. I am also thinking of going with the Graham Phantom II arm. I think the Graham/Dynavector should be a very good match and it is good to know Jeff agrees since he seems very experienced and knowledgeable.

So when are you getting your Raven?
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  #4  
Old 10-23-2009, 10:15 PM
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cmalak cmalak is offline
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It is going to be a while Serge. I am adopting your solid entry-level table first strategy to make sure I am ok with the vinyl thing first and then will look to upgrade. My local VPI dealer has a Classic on order which I am waiting to hear. And we'll see where we go from there
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Old 10-23-2009, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by cmalak View Post
It is going to be a while Serge. I am adopting your solid entry-level table first strategy to make sure I am ok with the vinyl thing first and then will look to upgrade. My local VPI dealer has a Classic on order which I am waiting to hear. And we'll see where we go from there
You know there is a Raven .5 that is available now? Even though it is a bit more pricey, this is about as solid and great performance of entry level as you can get. These tables will hold their values fairly well because of the popularity and may actually last you a long time since it will take much, much more $$$ to actually get a meaningful upgrade. For many, it could serve as a first and last table they need depending on how deep they want to go with analog.


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Old 10-23-2009, 10:36 PM
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Yep...thx Serge...i did see that they had launched the 0.5 in the US at the RMAF this year. I may have to wait until I make a trip to NYC and audition the 0.5 before making any final decisions maybe ya
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Old 10-24-2009, 09:24 AM
gregswaim gregswaim is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PHC1 View Post
I see I am not the only one who is interested in the Raven. I've spoken to Jeff as well and the Raven One will most likely be my next table. I am also thinking of going with the Graham Phantom II arm. I think the Graham/Dynavector should be a very good match and it is good to know Jeff agrees since he seems very experienced and knowledgeable.

So when are you getting your Raven?
Shane in Australia has at least 1 Raven. There are not many dealers here in the Colonies- maybe 5(?) or so.
Dynavector is a very good MC pickup. I would strongly suggest a A/B against the Lyra brand before making a choice. I've found that the Lyra brand is a bit more natural sounding. This might have something to do with the type of turntable/tonearm combo, I'm not sure.
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  #8  
Old 10-24-2009, 02:26 PM
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There are probably not many have heard that combination & I'm one of them. I can only recommend going to the Concerto w/the 24K gold coils to have the synergy with the remaining clearaudio components (yes, it's a bit more than the Dynavector).

Have you punched the numbers into a resonance calculator?? What load are you running on your phono w/the Maestro??
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  #9  
Old 10-24-2009, 02:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintage_tube View Post
There are probably not many have heard that combination & I'm one of them. I can only recommend going to the Concerto w/the 24K gold coils to have the synergy with the remaining clearaudio components (yes, it's a bit more than the Dynavector).

Have you punched the numbers into a resonance calculator?? What load are you running on your phono w/the Maestro??
The XX-2 will most likely reside on a Graham Phantom II tonearm/TW Acustic Raven One table. In the meantime, I've ran the calculations for the Clearaudio Satisfy and it works out to be 11.7Hz resonant frequency. A tiny bit higher than the Maestro Wood. It may not be an exactly perfect match as the Satisfy arm is considered "low mass" at 9 gm and the XX-2 is a "low compliance" cartridge at 10x10^6 but it will be interesting to hear what happens.

I am loading the MM Maestro at 47k and 220pf but the XX-2 is an MC and I will have to experiment. The good thing is that the EAR 324P is very flexible.

I've got to say the Maestro Wood is an excellent cartridge that is both resolving enough and highly musical but I won't rest until I try an MC next.
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  #10  
Old 10-24-2009, 02:41 PM
gregswaim gregswaim is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PHC1 View Post
The XX-2 will most likely reside on a Graham Phantom II tonearm/TW Acustic Raven One table. In the meantime, I've ran the calculations for the Clearaudio Satisfy and it works out to be 11.7Hz resonant frequency. A tiny bit higher than the Maestro Wood. It may not be an exactly perfect match as the Satisfy arm is considered "low mass" at 9 gm and the XX-2 is a "low compliance" cartridge at 10x10^6 but it will be interesting to hear what happens.

I am loading the MM Maestro at 47k and 220pf but the XX-2 is an MC and I will have to experiment. The good thing is that the EAR 324P is very flexible.

I've got to say the Maestro Wood is an excellent cartridge that is both resolving enough and highly musical but I won't rest until I try an MC next.
The EAR 324 is the phono stage of a lifetime, IMO. I've yet to find a phono stage that can best it in terms of sonic qualities or flexibility.
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