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| Model: | 20xL |
| Category: | Phono Cartridge |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $650 |
| Description: | Dynavector 20xL low output moving coil phono cartridge |
| Manufacturer URL: | DYNAVECTOR |
| Model Picture: | View |
| Review by hukkfinn on October 14, 2007 at 15:28:17 IP Address: 70.16.137.235 | Add Your Review for the 20xL |
Just wanted to note my impressions of the Dyna 20xL. This cart took almost no time at all to break in.
Previously, I've tried (1) the Dyna 20xH and (2) the Dyna Karat 17d3mkII.
I've also tried a bunch of other carts (Benz Ace, Grado Reference Master, CartridgeMan MusicMaker III, an Audio Technica, a Goldring, others), none of which I will discuss here because they all basically sucked in comparison to the Dynavectors (on my Rega P25).
The Dynas all worked extremely well on my Rega. They are all VERY MUSICAL cartridges.
20xH
The 20xH had the most slam. "WOW" type slam. If you like to rock out, whether it's to the Stones, the Beatles, Aerosmith, AC/DC, White Zombie or even James Taylor swinging through Steamroller, you cannot go wrong with this cart. And it had mids and highs that easily -- and I mean easily -- brought tears to my eyes with the right music. Just an incredibly musical, kick-ass, wonderful cartridge.
Karat
The Karat improved in terms of speed -- it just sounds amazingly quick and accurate. It also improved in terms of midrange. The Karat gives "more" information in the vocal and piano registers, and is more clear in the upper frequencies. Stevie Nicks? Yes, she actually appeared in my living room. However, the Karat sounded a little dry/lifeless compared to the 20xH, was a little less emotional, and did not have as much bass slam.
20xL
The 20xL also beats the Karat in the slam dept. However the 20xL does not have QUITE as much bass slam as the 20xH.
The 20xL, like the 20xH, also suffers from a little bit of a midrange suckout when compared to the Karat. With the 20xL, Stevie Nicks herself has not actually personally appeared in my living room. But (1) the recording of her that I am listening to is phenomenal and spine-tingling, and (2) her band is swinging better, and has better punch / sparkle / dynamics and rhythm, than it did when I heard her with the Karat.
So, which is better - the 20xH, or the 20xL? Although I am not directly A-B'ing these 2 carts, my gut is telling me:
1. Both are phenomenal partners for a Rega turntable or arm.
2. The 20xL may be just a little bit more musical than, and may have a little bit more finesse than, the 20xH, although it also has a tiny bit less slam.
3. Although both carts have given me chills presenting James Taylor or Linda Ronstadt or Stevie Nicks or Paul McCartney or John Lennon's voices singing to me, both do favor wonderful clear highs and slammin' bass over a theoretically perfect midrange presentation.
And, which wins, the 20xL or the Karat? I think the answer is: neither. They are both Awesome, with a capital A. To get the midrange depth of the Karat AND overall slam of the 20xL, I think I'm going to have to spend more than $2,000 on some damned exotic MC cart.
There you have it! Email me at hukkfinn3@hotmail.com if you have any thoughts or questions.
-Hukk
| Product Weakness: | Slightly hidden midrange |
| Product Strengths: | Musical, musical, musical<br>No break-in period<br>Slam |
| Amplifier: | Odyssey Stratos Extreme Monoblocks |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Conrad Johnson PV12, heavily modified by Bob Backert of RHB Sound Dezign |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Rega P25 with Cardas wire from cart clips to RCA jacks |
| Speakers: | Vienna Acoustics Beethoven |
| Cables/Interconnects: | AudioQuest Sky and JPS Labs Superconductor 2 |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | UK and German Beatles LPs, Kenny Loggins, James Taylor, Norah Jones |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 25 x 13 x 8 |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | 2 months |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
The 20XL in your picture is the new version, with the threaded holes. What version was the 20XH you compared it to? I have the 20XH (old version) and have been debating whether to get the LO version now that I have a first-rate phono stage that can deal with LO cartridges. I didn't have one when I bought the HO version. On general principles one might expect that the LO version would be clearly superior to the HO one, but your remarks suggest that I don't have to be in any hurry to make the change. I have been extremely happy with the 20XH, though virtually all of my listening is to classical music, which I feel can put different demands on a cartridge.
Joe
The 20xL is "maybe" a little more finesse. The xH is "maybe" a bit more slam. If you are going to shell out all that money for a new cart, I would do a clear upgrade rather than moving from xH to xL. Maybe a used XX-2.
Hukk
Was the 20XH in your comaprison the old one or the new one with with the threaded holes? I had alreeady concluded from your very helpful review that there was no hurry for me to change. Someone else that I know had done the same comparison, had expected a big difference, but came to the same conclusion you did: they were very close.
Hukk
I chose the "Goldilocks" middle output (VPI) version after killing the stylus on my low output version. I really needed the extra gain with my phono pre and the sound is remarkably similar.Perhaps you should have posted over at vinyl though.
rw
That's an unfortunate side effect to be sure, but even the excellent Dynavectors aren't perfect! Maybe some high-voltage razor wire around the listening room will keep her sorry no-talent ass out of there next time.
Good luck! : )
BTW, nice review, Hukk.
changed his moniker to "Steve Nicks Bootleg". as an over-the-top, mockery of a tribute. nice, northern british sense of humor, he had. btw, his previous moniker was, "My Dinner With Andre". if you don't see the humor in that, go watch the film.
Her work with Kenny Loggins on "whenever i call you friend" is very enjoyable. Kenny Loggins also seemed to appear in the living room, but her voice is by far the more interesting of the two, so I mentioned her.
but what I really want to know is: What was she wearing, if anything?
.
.
bleep
Also should mention that I've tried the Dyna 10x5, which is an awesome cart for its price point. In its denuded form (red plastic body removed), it's almost as good as the 20xH, with slightly less magic in the highs and deep bass and maybe even better midrange presentation.
I think that you would be better able to appreciate the LOMC versions if you had a better phono stage. Getting a more expensive cartridge may or may not help anything so much without having the ability to fully take advantage of what you have. All LOMC carts need very high quality gain stages and proper loading to reach their potential. I don't believe the PV12 has the capability to handle these cartridges properly but then, maybe you have something else as well.
-Bill
It's a darn good phono pre.
I'm not a big fan of the PV12 in stock form, as it throws a very flat / 2 dimensional soundstage. The Bob Backert modifications cause it to leap beyond all the other tube pres that I've heard.
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