Dynavector 20XL or What?

[KenCalgary]

Howdy, I'm using a Dynavector 20XL on my modified Technics SL1210 - the stock arm has been Cardas-rewired; custom phono cables; KAB fluid damper; some other tweaks - and love the sound through my DIY CineMag SUT, DIY tube preamp and tube amp. Please don't say I should change my system. Let's just assume that it sounds very good in my room.

I was wondering what other cartridge(s) you would recommend that would deliver equal or better overall sound (midrange, taut bass, etc.) than the Dynavector 20XL without going overboard on cost? The music I listen to is comprised of about 60-65% classical; ~30% classic rock/pop and the remainder Jazz, Blues.

[Tedrick]

The DV 20XL is a great cartridge. If you like the sound of the 20XL but would like a tad more detail and refinement, you could move up to the DV 17D3 Karat. If you are looking for a little more midrange warmth and bloom, the Benz Ace S, Ortofon Rondo Blue, or Shelter 501 Mk II would be good options.

[KenCalgary]

Thanks Tedrick, that's the type of information I was looking for. In reading a review of the 17D3 Karat I saw this and wondered what it means or why it occurs?: "While having a very short and stiff cantilever has its mechanical advantages, it does place extra strain on the supporting tonearm. The 17D3 has a tendency to send more energy into the arm and is, therefore, more sensitive to this element than most."

[Tedrick]

I'm not sure how the shorter cantilever would place any undue stress on a tonearm. I mean, we're only talking about 2 grams of downforce here. I will admit that the 17D3 does take a little extra care in matching to a tonearm, as it is very light at only 5 grams. If you need a little extra weight to get the VTF properly set, that's easily addressed by adding a 3-5 gram headshell weight (I used VPI's 3 gram stainless weight with my Karat).

[satanfriendly]

I'm using a 20XH at the moment and I have to agree with Tedrick in that is a beautifully musical performer within its own right. It doesn't have any particular strength, but neither does it do anything wrong. It just plays very nicely.

I also agree with the Benz ACE S, but it needs a good arm to bring out the best. I think you would find this a bit of a sideways step with the standard technics arm which is where your ultimate limitation will lie.

Around the same sort of price bracket the Denon DL304 is an excellent performer. The last time home playing side by side with the 20X there was a greater sense of 'happening' with the 304. I personally don't think it is as musical, but it does give more insight in to the music.

My preference though would be with the 20X for its more neutral approach and overall ability across the musical range.

There are others such as the AT OC9, but this can be cruel in the wrong system. Much beyond this (17D3 included) you are pushing the boundaries of the arm and I don't think your return will be worth the outlay.

[krenzler]

Most of the cartridges mentioned (Benz ACE, Denon 304, Shelter 501, Rondo Blue) seem like a sideways step to me - different yes but why change if you love the sound you're getting now?

The 17D3 should be better but tonally it might be leaner/cleaner compared to the fuller/more forgiving 20XL. Maybe the XX2-MkII is more like a much better 20X (same tonality) but pretty costly (see 2juki en eBay for best price) and might be overkill on your tweaked Technics arm..

[gx502]

Denon DL-S1

[BigE]

The longer cantilever provides some play between the arm and the stylus. A shorter cantilever means all of the energy of movement goes directly into the arm, and can cause the arm to ring. This is not the resonance of arm/cartridge but the self resonance of the arm.

I suggest that a shorter cantilever would prefer arms with a higher effective mass than superlight arms like an SME III for example. Damping will help to remove this energy.

YMMV, but I'd avoid using low mass unipivot arms with such a cartridge.

[Hanuman]

YMMV, but I'd avoid using low mass unipivot arms with such a cartridge.

My 17D3 is much more listenable on my JMW 9 Sig than on the FR64s. I thought it was a bit fierce on the Fidelity Research but it's a different, and better, proposition on the VPI. The JMW is not low-mass, of course.

In any case mass alone won't do anything much to deal with ringing.