My first LOMC was a Karat 23 back in 1981 and it opened a whole new world for me. I wore it out and did the factory re-tip program (basically a 50% credit against a new cartridge). Wore that one out too and got the 23 RS, then later a RS MR. Life happened while I had that one, and it ended up lasting until I refurbished my entire system back in 2011. Another factory re-tip brought home a 17 D3. The process of installing that uncovered a bunch of issues in my Magnepan arm and attempting to repair those uncovered more issues in my table suspension.
After getting a new Graham Phantom and my table rebuilt, I discovered that the Graham didn't have enough adjustability to get the correct tracking force on such a light cart without modification. That was VERY irritating, especially since I verified the Graham manual stated it had the range needed before plunking down $5K for it.
I tried to work around with Blue Tack and other non-resonant materials to get a decent balance, but none of them seemed to be acoustically neutral and they were all fugly besides. I can say that the 17 D3 had an extended high frequency range compared to the 23 RS MR. That was pretty astounding considering the 23 test chart showed essentially flat response to over 100kHz. Bass was a bit tighter too, but didn't seem as natural. I chalked that up to the VTF work-arounds.
In the process of yet another mount-dismount cycle trying to get everything just so, I discovered that the 17 D3 cantilever had cracked at the stylus: A perfect semi-elipse. Dynavector was very good about it and gave me another 50% re-tip credit, and this time I put it toward an XX2 Mk II.
The extra mass made all the difference with the Graham and finally allowed everything to function as designed, which is magnificently indeed. The excellent customer service from DV, the natural and uncolored nature of the DV LOMC sound and the superior price-to-performance ratio have made a customer for life here. One day, I'd like to go to the XV-1S, but that needs other bits to create maximum synergy. Maybe if I win a lottery...
That's my story anyway. Hope it gives you some detail you find useful. Happy listening!
After getting a new Graham Phantom and my table rebuilt, I discovered that the Graham didn't have enough adjustability to get the correct tracking force on such a light cart without modification. That was VERY irritating, especially since I verified the Graham manual stated it had the range needed before plunking down $5K for it.
I tried to work around with Blue Tack and other non-resonant materials to get a decent balance, but none of them seemed to be acoustically neutral and they were all fugly besides. I can say that the 17 D3 had an extended high frequency range compared to the 23 RS MR. That was pretty astounding considering the 23 test chart showed essentially flat response to over 100kHz. Bass was a bit tighter too, but didn't seem as natural. I chalked that up to the VTF work-arounds.
In the process of yet another mount-dismount cycle trying to get everything just so, I discovered that the 17 D3 cantilever had cracked at the stylus: A perfect semi-elipse. Dynavector was very good about it and gave me another 50% re-tip credit, and this time I put it toward an XX2 Mk II.
The extra mass made all the difference with the Graham and finally allowed everything to function as designed, which is magnificently indeed. The excellent customer service from DV, the natural and uncolored nature of the DV LOMC sound and the superior price-to-performance ratio have made a customer for life here. One day, I'd like to go to the XV-1S, but that needs other bits to create maximum synergy. Maybe if I win a lottery...
That's my story anyway. Hope it gives you some detail you find useful. Happy listening!