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How Do Left & Right Brains Like AT ART9 vs Dynavectors 17D3, XX2, XX2mkII vs Ortofons

So I'm trying to decide on a new primary MC cart to be used with a newly acquired Technics EPA-250 arm on SP10mkII. Rest of my system is Sound Lab A3, Lamm hybrid amps, BAT line stage, Aqvox balanced phono stage. My point of reference is completely different, a now departed VPI TNT6HR, 12.7arm & van den Hul Colibri XGP.  Details here: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/133. I'll also have a Technics 205CII as a backup/alternative. 

My conundrum is partially a left-brain vs. right-brain thing. When I demo gear in a store, show, or friends place often the left-brain takes control; ears pointed up, analyzing details, mind focusing on pinpoint imaging etc. & I tend to notice all the things often mentioned in reviews. Home listening sometimes is similar, especially when actively trying to evaluate the sound of a pressing, a new component or adjustment, etc. This brain drinks lots of coffee. On the other hand, my right-brain drinks cabernet or single malt. It likes the lights low. In this relaxed state, the musical side of things should take over with rhythm, pitch and cohesiveness taking precedence. It seems that when I can chill in this state I get less hifi and more musical emotion. Perhaps this side of things is the key to long term satisfaction?

I hope to choose a cartridge that retains neutral timbre & dynamic capabilities that give me goosebumps and the ability to sense the depth of body and woodiness with cello or acoustic guitar, the sound emerging from within a 3D instrument not a flat space in the soundstage. Can I get this while still having a relaxed enough sound to feed the right-brain?
When I compare items like these cartridges, part of me craves plenty of detail, a strength of my previously owned Colibri and before that ZYX Airy3B. I know the Colibri can be a bit hot and ruthless on the treble perhaps a bit etched on imaging; like High Def TV when you wish you didn't see every pore on the newscaster's face. So I am trying to get away from that. But, if I choose one of the more laid back cartridges will I be missing enough transparency and the ability to focus on one instrument in the mix when I choose? 

Last night I had the privilege to demo both XX2 & ART9 in a friends' state of the art system including custom built audio room with Evolution Acoustics MM3s, Spectral electronics and a fully tricked out SL1200 with Transfi Terminator T3Pro arm with quickly switchable wands to allow cartridge A/B. XX2 is the top end or possibly over budget, so I am mentally trying to interpret it when considering 17D3 or even DV20X-L, as I don't have a chance to compare those directly. Both sounded excellent and I'm sure I could live with either, so I am probably splitting hairs. Nonetheless I'd like to get maximum satisfaction within budget and get something that makes me want to listen to "just one more album..." again & again.

So in this context, those of you who've heard more than one of the cartridges mentioned please share your experiences in terms of the strengths & weaknesses of each, especially over time for owners. I already read the threads from last year or two about the ART9. Ortofons like Jubilee, Kontrapunkt(s) are also of interest. 

Cheers,
Spencer
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I have two main cartridges I use, a Soundsmith re-tipped XX2MKII, and a Zu Denon 103R with ESCCO white sapphire cantilever/Paratrace stylus upgrade. I tend to prefer the 103R for most of my listening, it just seems to be more natural-sounding ( I won't try to elucidate with audiophile jargon, as I'm not very good at it).

However, a few nights ago, I installed the XX2MKII (I use a Dynavector 501 arm, so cartridge swaps only takes a few minutes), and I was reminded how darn good the XX2 is. Neither cart disappoints.

By the way, I bought my XX2 here on Audiogon, at about 1/2 price of new retail. It was purported to have only 10 hours on it, which I determined to be true, as it required normal break-in time to sound it's best. After eight years of use, it had to have a re-tip, it's now been in use in the neighborhood  of ten years.

So, you might consider trying a used one. If the price is right, the top re-tip at Soundsmith (around $350 when mine was done) actually made the XX2 a better sounding cartridge. It's possible you'll end up with the cartridge you want at a bargain price. It may be something you wouldn't want to risk, but it turned out to be ok for me.

Best regards,
Dan 
rodman99999
6,033 posts
 
Since you asked about the 17D3: Not only is it low mass(at 5.3g), but- also fairly high compliance(15x 10-6cm/Dyne) . That’s why it mates so well with low effective mass tone arms(under 10g), like effischer’s(and my) Magnepan Unitrac 1. Very faithful to what’s in the groove, excellent tracking, sound stage(width/height/depth), ruler flat/extended response and image size/placement. Gets the air between instruments accurately. Easy to focus on individual players. Even the rhythm section’s lowest notes, when the bass and kick are locked. A great cartridge, especially in it’s price range. As seems to be the general rule with MC carts: the better the performance, the lower the output voltage. At .3 mv, only a quiet, high-gain phono stage will suffice, set at a fairly low impedance(ie: around 100 ohms).
sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
Thanks for those excellent comments . I have 68db gain, infinite loading choice so no worries there . The EPA 250 handles cats 3g-12g & has dampening to minimize compliance issues , so expect no problem there either with these carts. 
Anybody compare these Dynas to
Art9?
Cheers , Spencer 
ninetynine's avatar
ninetynine
135 posts
 
Hi Spencer, i had DL-160, AT33EV, AT33PTG, Nagaoka MP300, Lyra Delos, Lyra Kleos, Lyra Skala, EMT JSD6 and now on the 9" SME V a VdH Frog and on the Origin Live Conqueror 12" a Dynavector XX2Mk2

I had the same problem as you with the Colibri, with the Kleos. On a few vinyls the system is absolute great, on another it inclines to bright.

The EMT JSD6 was the follower of the Kleos and ich was very happy. Not so much resolution, more reserved playback, but more vinyls that can be heard well.

Then Van den Hul made me a Frog, which i mounted on a Jelco 750D. It blows the EMT on the Origin Live away. So natural sounding and a lot better resolution. On bright recordings i change to the Origin Live arm with the Dynavector. This system sounds totally warm and analog and is the perfect opponent to the Frog.

I can post the Adjust+ measurements of both system, if wanted.

Sorry for my bad English, i am German.
sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
@ninetynine If you could only keep one of those, which one & why? Cheers,
Spencer
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