Cartridge upgrade, something warmer


I love my Dynavector 20XL on a Rega P5 but its a little thin at times. Lots detail and depth but cool. This is matched with a Dynavector P75 all Arcam FJM electronics. Benz Glider, Ortofon Bronze or ????
Maybe I should try a phono preamp first. All suggestions welcome
Ag insider logo xs@2xfourgirls
I wouldn't call the Dynavector thin, but I would call it clean. I love Dynavector cartridges. They provide exceptional clarity and dynamic slam. However, I currently also use (in addition to my DV20-XH) a Benz-Micro L2 Wood body cartridge. I think it's better in every way that a cartridge could be evaluated. (It ought to be, it cost twice as much!). While the Benz is my reference cartridge for the moment, I still swap in the Dynavector and enjoy what it can do in terms of separating vocals and instruments, etc. I think my next cartridge will be a move up the Dynavector line. I'm hoping that there's a Dynavector that equals what I get from my Benz L2 but keeps the sleek, clean performance that I love from DV.

Cheers.

Tom
STOP READ ME>>>>
OK I googled your phono pre and it CAN be adjusted internally for MC with 100 ohm loading via internal jumpers. You should look at the owners manual and adjust the jumpers inside your phono section BEFORE you blow a pile on some other products. NO one else is telling you I AM TELLING YOU DO IT!!
The internal impedence is really important for the warmth of the sound.
i would bet you are using the STOCK 47K ohm setting. That would give you the thin sound all by itself!
i had to repost.. i was sure someone would reaffirm my suggestion.. nope.. they just want you to spend money... You do not need to spend money.. you need to borrow a screwdriver and get some tweezers and move some tiny "U" shaped bits around on pins inside your phono preamp to change the settings of the impedance from 47K ohm to 100ohm.
Please, trust me..
As Elizabeth suggested, try a different loading. It is free and can make a dramatic difference. The other thing to try is to change the vertical tracking angle (VTA) of the cartridge (if your arm allows for this). Thin sound is associated with too high an angle (the arm is tilted downward from the pivot).

When dialing in a cartridge, I adjust both VTA and loading. They are sort of interactive in that they roughly do the same sort of thing, in terms of tonal balance, but not quite. That means adjusting one may change what is the optimal setting of the other. By increasing the loading (LOWER value resistor, such as 100 ohms vs. 47,000 ohms), you will tend to reduce sibilance, tip the tonal balance toward the bass (less cool sounding), but going too far makes the music sound slow and muddled and lacking in top end "air" and extension. The same would be true with lowering the VTA, but with less impact on the bass response. Some mix of VTA and loading adjustment will be the best compromise.
It's not the cartridge.

Elizabeth's guidance is definitely the first thing to try. Then adjustments to your arm/cart setup. Then cheaper tweaks like TT mats (felt is horrible, though slippage wouln't usually result in thinness), clamps, etc. All as advised above.

That said, some Arcam gear can be thin sounding (owned their top CDP, sold it) and all SS gear can except at very high levels. Even there it is when compared to comparably priced tube gear. That's a path worth exploring but I'd do the cheaper stuff first. Everthing you learn will train your ears and inform your decision-making ability when it comes to costlier upgrades. You'll make fewer mis-steps.

Again, it's not the cartridge. A Grado would provide lots of artificial warmth, but Grados on Rega rigs have a long history of annoying their owners. If you must experiment with warm sounding carts I'd try some MM's. Not much money and Raul and the MM crowd could advise on suitable choices.
Some good advice posted on here.
To which can I add; try to find an original ARC Ref phono for its warm, tubey sounds and cartridge wise add a Koetsu Rosewood to your collection.