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Cartridge advice needed, dynavector 20xh now what?

Hello, I am wondering what cartridges would be a big step up from my Dynavector 20xh without breaking the bank. I won't specify a price other than below $1500 retail new and hopefully less. I purchased the Dyna 20xh to use with my Spacedeck/Anna tonearm because I only had a mm phono pre built in my DK Design amp. I have since picked up the new Eastern Electric Tube Minimax phono pre that has mm/mc low & mm high inputs. I am loving vinyl & my setup. I wonder how much better things will get if I upgrade the cartridge end of things. I would continue to look within the Dynavector line but also hear an awful lot of good things about ZYX cartridges. At this point I am really just hoping to hear suggestions from users or different MC carts who could give me an idea on the range of improvement to be expected. I haven't played a cd since I got the Spacedeck spinning. I have been buying vinyl every week & having a blast. Thanks again for all the help along the way.
nicksgem10s
slowhand
605 posts
 
I had the Dynavector 20XL low output cartridge on my VPI mk4/JMW TT. I have since replaced it with the ZYX Yatra. The improvement in sound was HUGE! The ZYX has a much more neutral sound to it. The 20XL sounded hard and even a touch bright at high volumes. The ZYX retains the dynamics of the 20XL, but never sounds the least bit hard. Attack and decay of instruments is great with the ZYX and the soundstage is better in both width and depth. I am spinning vinyl like crazy since I got the Yatra. It would be in your price range at $1140 through Mehran at Sorasound. ZYX has cartridges in many price ranges, both higher and lower than the Yatra. Mehran is great to deal with. Of course, I don't know how it will sound with your system, but it is avaliable in both .24mv and .48mv outputs, so one of them should work with your phono stage. Good Luck and good listening!
kehut's avatar
kehut
667 posts
 
Slowhand is spot on with his assesment of the sound of the ZYX. Utterly neutral and very musical. I know the Dyna 20XH sound well and the ZYX is miles ahead here.I really like my ZYX Fuji on my Aries 2. I can heartily recommend this one. Mehran can probably work out a price very close to the Yatra. Either .24 or .48mV sounds like it would work for you. The .48 is still low enough to get the benefits of a low output coil. i.e. speed, sweetness, bloom..etc.

Either the S (silver) or the standard copper is a great choice. I went with the S based on Arthur Salvatore's excellent review of it. But I know Mehran likes both and actually recommends the copper for most applications. Enjoy your vinyl party!

best of luck!--Ken
dedicatedaudio's avatar
dedicatedaudio
169 posts
 
Be sure to consider the Shelter 501-II and Shelter 901. Both recently made sterophile top 500. I think the 501-II is one of the best buys in the industry.
c123666
871 posts
 
I have both the Dynavector DV20XH and a Shelter 501 11. The Shelter is clearly better and I note some of the same improvements as noted in the original poster of the ZYX over the Dyna.

Having said that the Dynavector is an excellent cartridge for the price new and used; I thought it compared well with the Denon Dl103R (the other MC I have). The Denon was a bit more rounded/softer in the highs compared to the accurate Dynavector.
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