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Dynavector XX2 MKII? Your thoughts of it?

Hello fellow Audiogon members, I had recently purchased a new mega RP8 turntable to replace my old Systemdek back in february. Since May I had a Dynavector 20x2L mounted on it and had tremendous synergy and results with it. Love it. Now one of my dealers has a lightly used Dynavector XX2 MKII. As his back up cartridge at home with about a 1000 hours on it. But because of his recent cartridge purchase his wife wants him to sell it. He offered me $400 cash for it.
Should i jump on it?
Also Is the XX2 MKII a better cartridge over the Rega Apheta? 
And what sort of difference dose the XX2 have over 20x2L and would it be an upgrade for the RP8?

128x128jakecanada
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear @jakecanada : The  XX2 MKII  is with out doubt a better overall cartridge quality performer but even if with good care 1K hours on it are to much.

In other thread and before you posted yours we discussed about stylus tip time to re-tip and my take is between 600-800 hours for pristine performance.

It's better for you and your LPs stay away from that cartridge.


regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
dkidknow
60 posts
 
Since I don't keep a timer on while I'm listening, does anyone have a ballpark estimate of how many years it takes to hit 1,000 hours on a stylus?  
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,961 posts
 
1,000 is a LOT of hours even if the seller’s being honest, but $400 on a $2K cartridge is still a good deal if the maker offers a good rebuild program. From what I can glean online, Dynavector does not (but perhaps I'm mis-informed) -- you’d want a cartridge that can be rebuilt like new for 50% (or less) of list price (e.g. Ortofon, Koetsu). I’d probably pass because of that. And another reason I’m a happy Koetsu user.

Even Ortofon has come out and said that their replicant stylus can last 2,000 hours (given excellent care), but there will indeed be physical changes to the stylus at 1,000.
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