Soundsmith Carmen vs. Dynavector 20x2H

I have the DV20X2 H and the Sounsdsmith VPI Zephyr. The Zephyr, whi9ch lists for $1K,is a notch or two above the Carmen. I highly receommend the Zephyr. I've been through a number of carties and the Zephyr, at its price point, outclasses most. Btw, I also own the Classic 1 (with Classic 3 wand as an upgrade).

Thanks Bifwayne!

How do you like the Zephyr compared to the 20X2 H? I am looking for a smooth sound and not too bright. The table I want to get is a VPI Traveler so that's why I was aiming for the Carmen. It's a good match price wise. I did hear the 20X2 on a Traveler and it sounded very good but the sibilance was a bit too much for my taste. It could have been that it wasn't broken in yet as the sales guy had told me. How is your experience with the Dynavector? How do you find the sound?

Another sales man told me that the Carmen and Zephyr are Soundsmiths warmest sounding cartridges. But then I read on some message boards that the Zephyr was very neutral sounding and could sound bright?

Try a Shure M97XE with a Jico SAS. Use the original stylus for records that are in poor condition and the Jico stylus for records that are in good or better condition. BTW, I have a Soundsmith Carmen and Othello. Also, I had a Dynavector 10X5 which was good, but for the money spent the Shure/Jico combination beats them all. I used these on a Classic 1, which is being replaced by an Aries 3.

M~

Macster,

What are your thoughts on the Carmen and 10X5 compared?

The 10X5 is better period. smoother better articulation, bass, treble and imaging, it's even "better" than the Shure/Jico combo. But it's so darn delicate and fragile looing. I mean that stylus is hanging out there saying "break me." It really was thing that got to me. I wasn't too sure if it would survive a long time around me. I already broke my first one, without even knowing it. In the end I wimped out and kept the more robust(IMHO) cartridge. I may opt for a DV20 in the future, it looks like it would last.

M~