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Dynavector XX-2 MK2 vs Shelter 901 MK2

I have upgraded my Clearaudio Concept to Performance DC with Concerto V2 cartridge but I find it sounding bright with vocal sibilance on some of my vinyl collection. Set my phono preamp to 25ohm to tame the brightness. I triple check all my alignment, tried different positions to no avail. I am using the Clearaudio Alignment gauge which I tried the Clearaudio recommended and the IEC standard. Seems like I hit the dead end so I decided to try a much warmer cartridge either the Dynavector XX-2 MK2 or the Shelter 900 MK2. I listen to all genre except classical but mostly rock.

If you have experience on either or even better, on both cartridge please advise.
128x128s1nn3r
s1nn3r's avatar
s1nn3r OP
162 posts
 
Hey Jmcgrogan2,

I read some reviews on Koetsu, It is warmer but rolling off on the bass which I wouldn't want to sacrifice specially with rock music. The review said the higher you go with Koetsu then you'll get better bass. Sadly it is over my budget.

Thank you everyone for pointing me to Dynavector direction.
john_tracy
343 posts
 
FWIW your problem with vocal sibilance may not be a cartridge issue. Clean reproduction requires pristine electronics too. Especially the power supplies.

I've owned both a Shelter 901 and 9000. An elliptical stylus has more trouble tracing vocal sibilance accurately than more radical geometries. I'm currently using a Soundsmith Sussurro. Peter's prototype actually, and it hands down beats the pants off the Shelters.
s1nn3r's avatar
s1nn3r OP
162 posts
 
Hey John_tracy,

I forgot to mention I'm using a clarify tonearm. Using Mcintosh C48 MC phono stage. I'm not sure what you mean by pristine electronics. To some, Bose is pristine lol
analogluvr
859 posts
 
If I had 2k to spend I would buy a Lyra Delos.
larryi
4,131 posts
 
AT the level of price and performance of cartridges like the XX-2, it is a matter of personal taste and system matching and is not a matter of inherent superiority of one cartridge vs. another. I have a friend who traded in a Transfiguration Orpheus for the XX-2 because he tried it in his system and liked it. The Orpheus cost more than twice as much.
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