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Dynavector xx2 mk2 preliminary report

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Posted on November 8, 2010 at 06:47:39
teenage diplomat
Audiophile

Posts: 896
Location: burke, va usa
Joined: February 3, 2001
Some of you may remember that I bailed on trying to get a Denon DL-S1 from Comet Supply after waiting for 4 months. My back-up plan was to find something higher in the Dynavector range to try. (I had used and liked the 20xl, but found the Clearaudio Maestro Wood better all-round, particularly in terms of dynamics and frequency extremes.) Well, I've gotten a new xx2 mk 2 and put it on my second JMW 12.7 armwand. It's not fully broken in yet (only about 5 hours, actually) so this is only a first impression, but I like what I'm hearing. It has the Dyna 'house sound' (lovely midrange, particularly voices; great on woodwinds and brass) coupled with much improved dynamics and slam compared with the 20xl, and even more detail retrieval than I was getting from the Maestro. I'm guessing that the combination of the pathfinder stylus, boron cantilever and alinco magnets account for the improvements. Even if this is as good as it gets (no break-in effect) I'm very happy with what I'm hearing. I'm not getting rid of the Maestro - in fact, I'm more impressed than ever with its tremendous price/performance ratio. It's just that the XX2 mk2 is just a bit better in my system, so that is where it is staying...at least until my next bout of upgradeitis.

 

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RE: Dynavector xx2 mk2 preliminary report, posted on November 10, 2010 at 08:23:06
MusicHead 2
Audiophile

Posts: 668
Joined: March 24, 2002
Try different loadings and get a MintLP protractor for your setup it can make a huge difference in the performance of the cartridge. I moved from the Karat -> XX2 MkII -> XV-1s. I also tried a Maestro which was more in line with the Karat than the XX2 performance wise. The main difference will be how the music is presented, the XX2 will have a much broader range of expression. The Karat and Maestro just run through the music in comparison. Do a web search, there is a review that gives some insight on the setup of the XX2 MkII. Mine loaded at 500 and if I remember correct the reviewer preferred 1000.

 

"a much broader range of expression", posted on November 10, 2010 at 14:12:03
teenage diplomat
Audiophile

Posts: 896
Location: burke, va usa
Joined: February 3, 2001
That is a great word picture! It describes exactly what I'm hearing, even this early in the break-in period.

 

xx2 -- any thoughts / opinions on bass slam?, posted on November 8, 2010 at 15:39:59
hukkfinn
Audiophile

Posts: 3486
Location: East Coast
Joined: July 19, 2002
Not sure if your musical preferences bring this out or not, but I'd be curious how you feel the xx2 performs in the bass slam dept.

The Karat had tighter bass and was more realistic, but maybe a little bit light-footed. Nothing has ever rocked my house like the 20xL / 20xH, the best/strongest I've ever heard in this regard.

Thanks,
Hukk

 

Slam, posted on November 9, 2010 at 06:47:21
teenage diplomat
Audiophile

Posts: 896
Location: burke, va usa
Joined: February 3, 2001
With only 5 hours on the clock it's probably too soon to pass judgment, but the XX2 isn't the last word in the slam department quite yet. I'm a jazz fan, and I use Ray Brown's Soular Energy to judge bass. With the Maestro I get slam, with the XX2 I get the same or better depth, but not as much impact. Keep in mind, though, that I"m still tweeking set up and the suspension isn't fully loosened-up yet.

 

And sometimes you have to dial it in with loading resistance., posted on November 9, 2010 at 21:44:06
tubesforever
Manufacturer

Posts: 10505
Location: Great Basin
Joined: May 7, 2005
Its easy to compare cartridges using the same loading, but sometimes it requires altering the resistance one way or the other to get the magic you crave.

Getting more detail from the DV leads me to think it might need just a little more resistance to balance the bass lines.

Good luck with the break in and let us know how it sounds!

Cheers!

"Help support our school's Music programs"


 

Midrange, posted on November 8, 2010 at 08:06:53
hukkfinn
Audiophile

Posts: 3486
Location: East Coast
Joined: July 19, 2002
I thought the Karat 17d2 had much better midrange than the 20xL and 20xH. More real, more fleshed out, more human (for vocals). For this reason, after hearing the Karat, I'm no longer happy with the 20xL.

Can you comment on the midrange, 20xL vs. xx2? I understand if it's been too long between cartridges to really compare.

Thanks,
Hukk

 

RE: Midrange, posted on November 8, 2010 at 08:19:31
teenage diplomat
Audiophile

Posts: 896
Location: burke, va usa
Joined: February 3, 2001
It's been too long since I've had the 20xl in my system to give you a detailed comparison between it and the XX2 Mk2. All I can tell you about the midrange is that in my system, the XX2 gives me more tone and texture (particularly in woodwinds and brasses) than I remember hearing before, and that voices are extremely realistic. I found the 20xl too soft on top for my taste and slightly polite dynamically; the XX2 doesn't suffer either of those faults. Keep in mind that I can only describe what I recall hearing, and that YMMV.

 

RE: Dynavector xx2 mk2 preliminary report, posted on November 8, 2010 at 06:56:45
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005

Where did you purchase the Dyna? I am interested in hearing more from you about this cart. as it gets settled in......

 

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