ZYX RS20 vs Denon DL103

Joe,

Thanks for the comparison. I haven't heard the RS20 but I remember Chris Brady saying it knocked his socks off for an $800 cartridge.

FWIW, I think the 103/103R are simply killer for the money, we're in the same camp on that one. Everything you described about the RS20 sounds familiar. It's apparent the RS20 shares the ZYX family sound with its more expensive kin.

One thing you and I both found surprising: dynamics. The 103's make you think, "Wow, that's pretty dynamic sound." ZYX dynamics are different, you think, "Wow, that's a pretty dynamic sax - or bass guitar, or whatever."

Nice observation about its ability to play musically at low levels. That's a very special quality that alot of components simply do not share. It was the first thing we noticed about the first ZYX we heard.

Of course we agree on the differences in setup. ZYX's are not plug 'n' play. VTF, VTA and impedance are all critical and the sweet zone for each is tiny. Glad you were able to find them and enjoy.

Thanks for the link to Steve's setup page.

Doug

Ray,

Remember, just in case Doug and I didn't make it clear:

DIAL IT IN FIRST!!!

I really think I missed a lot of detail by not doing it before the 50 hour mark.

I think you'll like it!

Joe

Joe ,I ended up spending a few hours set up time ,i believe i have it very close,,the RS20 sounded very good ,but seemed to sweeten up a bit after about 20hrs,,VERY quiet,very good tracking too,very well balanced from top to bottom,i think its very forgiving of less than perfect LPs too,seems to be a good match with my Scout and Acoustech PH1P,,,

Hi Guys,

Yes it's me again, Koala! I think I just about to get the R20 but r u guys using the Low (.24) or High (.48) output version? I guess their "High" output really doesn't make too much diff compare to other low MC output.

Back to my initial question that I had the Denon DL103 and audio-Technica At33ML and Benz Micro MC-Silver.

To be the Benz Micro MC-Silver sounded worse (maybe not yet broken in) but sound very harsh and hi-fi.

DL103 - oh well you heard enough of this one but compare to AT33ML which I quite like it, AT33ML has a wider soundstage but somewhat thinner in the mid which DL103 is famous for.

I am still thinking whether I should go for RS20 or 30, the price diff is around US100. I can get a very good deal here in HK believe it or not, RS20 just around US390. But one strange thing is the RS20 case seems to be smaller than RS10 & 30 so not sure the one I saw is in fact an older model, I really don't no. I can get the RS30 for around US500.

You are welcome to email me directly on Zyx or Denon. rlui0212@hotmail.com

thanks.

I couldn't wait so I just got it, it's the original (first) version of RS20, yes there is no RS20-02 at the end, maybe that's why is cheaper but still the price here is just cheaper for every model. But I'm not sure the current RS20-02 spec still warrant though.