I've had the 10x5, 20XL, 17Dmk 2 and now the XX-2mk 2. The XX-2 is way better sounding, period, end of story. The 17D mk 2 is a lot better as well. I don't know how good your phono stage is, but it's possible that you could improve things a lot there too and possibly do more to improve your sound than a cartridge upgrade. Another one to consider would be the Shelter 90x. This was the best of all the carts I have owned. It had a magic that none of the other have matched. You do get a big slice of the magic with the XX-2 and even the 17D mk 2 for that matter.
Before I upgrade my cart from Dyna 20xl to an XX2
I have a Scoutmaster with the 9" arm, MuFi A308 Amp, using it's internal phono stage, and Vandersteen 3a Signatures.
I listen to mostly Classical, large-scale and chamber/solo. I'm very happy with the sound and I have very few lp's in which tracking is a problem. For the most part I enjoy big, open and rhythmically-lively sound. My only complaints have been regarding choral and solo piano music, esp. towards the end of records: the sound can get a little bit "tizzy." (Even on previously unplayed--undamaged--records).
Dense, climactic passages, (of course at the end of pieces and thus usually in the last parts of the lp), also "thin" a little bit in sound, compared to the beginning of the record. I've read up on the physics of Lp's and understand that the thinness towards the end of records can be an inherent problem with the Lp format.
I hasten to add that overall, I'm still a big fan of Lp's. Overall.
My question: I don't want to trade up unless the XX2 will markedly improve the sound at the end of records by yielding increased transparency, bloom and air. Will someone who's been on this path, preferably with the same equipment, let me know his or her feelings on the matter? Thanks.
I listen to mostly Classical, large-scale and chamber/solo. I'm very happy with the sound and I have very few lp's in which tracking is a problem. For the most part I enjoy big, open and rhythmically-lively sound. My only complaints have been regarding choral and solo piano music, esp. towards the end of records: the sound can get a little bit "tizzy." (Even on previously unplayed--undamaged--records).
Dense, climactic passages, (of course at the end of pieces and thus usually in the last parts of the lp), also "thin" a little bit in sound, compared to the beginning of the record. I've read up on the physics of Lp's and understand that the thinness towards the end of records can be an inherent problem with the Lp format.
I hasten to add that overall, I'm still a big fan of Lp's. Overall.
My question: I don't want to trade up unless the XX2 will markedly improve the sound at the end of records by yielding increased transparency, bloom and air. Will someone who's been on this path, preferably with the same equipment, let me know his or her feelings on the matter? Thanks.
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- 16 posts total
- 16 posts total