TONEAudio Magazine
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<p><strong>Dynavector has been a household name in the phono-cartridge business since the mid-1970s. *I have fond (albeit slightly faded) memories of an early generation Dynavector moving-coil cartridge that set me back a couple of C-notes (big bucks for that era). *That cartridge’s ability to extract inner detail and provide sheer musicality from my treasured LPs opened up new vistas for my then-youthful ears and made me a moving-coil fanatic for life. *In the following three-plus decades, I have had dozens of MC cartridges in my sound systems, but the DV-20X2 represents my first return trip to the Dynavector domain.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Getting the Lowdown on Low Output</strong></p>
<p>An increasing number of MC cartridges are being offered in high- and low-output versions. *The DV20X2 cartridge comes in both high-output (2.8 mV) and low-output (0.3 mV) versions; the latter is discussed here. *This well-made cartridge features a 6-mm aluminum pipe cantilever with a Micro Ridge nude diamond stylus and neodymium magnets. *Weighing in at 9 grams, it will be compatible with most available tonearms.</p>
<p>Whether phono inputs are already included in a preamplifier or come installed on freestanding phonostages, they are often optimized for either moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridges. *Meeting the specifications of these inputs is critical for optimum performance. *High-output MC cartridges are usually intended for inputs capable of handling a much higher signal without overloading (a feature typical of MM inputs). *Low-output MC cartridges are designed for phonostages that have step-up capability for their much lower signal amplitude.</p>
<p>Over the years, there has been much discussion about the comparative virtues of high-output versus low-output MC cartridges. *While these two types of cartridges differ in the number of coil windings and often in their weight, die-hard vinyl fans tend to prefer low-output versions, citing their alleged greater purity of sound.* However, before going with a low-output MC option, particularly one with the output level of the DV-20X2, it is vital to know if your phono preamp has sufficient gain, so you can avoid a significant noise penalty.</p>
<p><strong>Get Moving</strong></p>
<p>For this review, I used a modified VPI Aries turntable with outboard flywheel, a Nordost-wired VPI 10.5i tonearm and a Pass Labs XP-15 phonostage.* Having considerable experience with other low-output MCs, I set the XP-15 at its highest gain (76 dB); and after some preliminary listening, I settled on an impedance of 100 ohms (within the range recommended by Dynavector) and tracking force of 2 grams. *Installation was non-fussy, and with my linestage gain turned up to normal listening levels in the absence of a source, there was, blessed be, no noise.</p>
<p>For the past two years, I have become obsessed with a cut from Esperanza Spalding’s Grammy-winning <em>Chamber Music Society </em>(Heads Up).* On the snappy Brazilian tune “Inútil Paisagem,” Spalding exchanges lines in English and Portuguese with noted jazz singer Gretchen Parlato.* This song not only tests a cartridge’s resolving ability to distinguish between the two female voices singing in the same range, it also tests how well the cartridge keeps the background acoustic bass notes in focus. *No problems here, as the two women (and Spalding’s bass) get right into my room with great pace and pitch.</p>
<p>Whether or not you are a Patricia Barber fan, her albums are consistently blessed with great sound. *For its full panoply of vocals, lively percussion, throbbing baseline and intermittent trumpet riffs, the track “Constantinople” on <em>Modern Cool</em> (Premonition Records, OOP) is tough to beat. *A cartridge is sorely taxed to keep up with these proceedings, letting us hear all of the interweaving lines, and here the Dynavector definitely keeps its cool.</p>
<p>I have always been a sucker for live recordings that eschew the artifice inherent in most sound studios.* There is a delightful little holiday record (sadly no longer in print) called <em>The Christmas Revels</em> (Revels, Inc). *This LP features a talented community music group in live performance of traditional music of the season.* The stage action is constantly shifting as the musicians move around, there is the expected assortment of background noises and listeners get a real sense of an organic performance. *I feel that DV-20X2 gives me most of what I expect when compared to the previous representations from my other (and far more expensive) cartridges.</p>
<p>A supreme test for any cartridge is the closing scene from Wagner’s <em>Das Rheingold</em>, in which a huge storm gathers (in the orchestra) and the god Donner delivers a lightning bolt with the strike on an anvil. *The only recording that I have ever heard that does this piece justice is the 1958 Decca LP (recently reissued as “The Golden Ring” Highlights disc, a part of a deluxe Decca vinyl box set). *The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Sir Georg Solti, delivers the music, and an actual anvil was used for the onstage sound effect.* A huge wall of sound just blows out of the speakers and this cut tests a cartridge’s ability to resolve complex instrumental voices and its ability to stay in the grooves when the music goes fortissimo.* I’m happy to report that the Dynavector never flinches on this one; had Wagner been in my listening room, I’m certain that he would have smiled.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11255" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/dynavector-dv-20x2-low-output-moving-coil-cartridge/attachment/2-43/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11255" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/253.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>A Dynavector to Die For? </strong></p>
<p>One sign of a great cartridge is its ability to draw listeners in and, in so doing, compel them to play entire LP sides rather than stopping after a single cut.* And the DV-20X2 cartridge is just that kind of analog transducer.* At its $850 asking price, it’s not nearly as steep as the top of the Dynavector price line—or, for that matter, any of my current reference cartridges, the least expensive being the $1,995 Lyra Helikon (also a low-output star).* What the Dynavector does well is convey a palpable soundstage, retrieving much of the detail that resides in the groove (without being overly analytic).* It also easily handles complex sound signals without getting swamped.</p>
<p>If not the ultimate word in any of these categories, this MC cartridge will still provide substantial listening enjoyment with terrific musicality.* Provided your phono preamp is up to handling low-output MC cartridges, this is an easy one to recommend to serious vinyl lovers.</p>
<p><strong> Dynavector DV-20X2 Low-Output MC Cartridge</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $850</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dynavector.com/">www.dynavector.com</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="2"><tr><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>Pass Labs X-30</td>
</tr><tr><td>Phonostage</td>
<td>Pass Labs XP-15</td>
</tr><tr><td>Amplifier</td>
<td>Pass Labs XA100.5</td>
</tr><tr><td>Speakers</td>
<td>Martin Logan CLX</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Conditioner</td>
<td>Running Springs Audio Dmitri and Maxim</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Cables and Power Cords</td>
<td>Nordost Valhalla and Odin</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/dynavector-dv-20x2-low-output-moving-coil-cartridge/]
<p><strong>Getting the Lowdown on Low Output</strong></p>
<p>An increasing number of MC cartridges are being offered in high- and low-output versions. *The DV20X2 cartridge comes in both high-output (2.8 mV) and low-output (0.3 mV) versions; the latter is discussed here. *This well-made cartridge features a 6-mm aluminum pipe cantilever with a Micro Ridge nude diamond stylus and neodymium magnets. *Weighing in at 9 grams, it will be compatible with most available tonearms.</p>
<p>Whether phono inputs are already included in a preamplifier or come installed on freestanding phonostages, they are often optimized for either moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridges. *Meeting the specifications of these inputs is critical for optimum performance. *High-output MC cartridges are usually intended for inputs capable of handling a much higher signal without overloading (a feature typical of MM inputs). *Low-output MC cartridges are designed for phonostages that have step-up capability for their much lower signal amplitude.</p>
<p>Over the years, there has been much discussion about the comparative virtues of high-output versus low-output MC cartridges. *While these two types of cartridges differ in the number of coil windings and often in their weight, die-hard vinyl fans tend to prefer low-output versions, citing their alleged greater purity of sound.* However, before going with a low-output MC option, particularly one with the output level of the DV-20X2, it is vital to know if your phono preamp has sufficient gain, so you can avoid a significant noise penalty.</p>
<p><strong>Get Moving</strong></p>
<p>For this review, I used a modified VPI Aries turntable with outboard flywheel, a Nordost-wired VPI 10.5i tonearm and a Pass Labs XP-15 phonostage.* Having considerable experience with other low-output MCs, I set the XP-15 at its highest gain (76 dB); and after some preliminary listening, I settled on an impedance of 100 ohms (within the range recommended by Dynavector) and tracking force of 2 grams. *Installation was non-fussy, and with my linestage gain turned up to normal listening levels in the absence of a source, there was, blessed be, no noise.</p>
<p>For the past two years, I have become obsessed with a cut from Esperanza Spalding’s Grammy-winning <em>Chamber Music Society </em>(Heads Up).* On the snappy Brazilian tune “Inútil Paisagem,” Spalding exchanges lines in English and Portuguese with noted jazz singer Gretchen Parlato.* This song not only tests a cartridge’s resolving ability to distinguish between the two female voices singing in the same range, it also tests how well the cartridge keeps the background acoustic bass notes in focus. *No problems here, as the two women (and Spalding’s bass) get right into my room with great pace and pitch.</p>
<p>Whether or not you are a Patricia Barber fan, her albums are consistently blessed with great sound. *For its full panoply of vocals, lively percussion, throbbing baseline and intermittent trumpet riffs, the track “Constantinople” on <em>Modern Cool</em> (Premonition Records, OOP) is tough to beat. *A cartridge is sorely taxed to keep up with these proceedings, letting us hear all of the interweaving lines, and here the Dynavector definitely keeps its cool.</p>
<p>I have always been a sucker for live recordings that eschew the artifice inherent in most sound studios.* There is a delightful little holiday record (sadly no longer in print) called <em>The Christmas Revels</em> (Revels, Inc). *This LP features a talented community music group in live performance of traditional music of the season.* The stage action is constantly shifting as the musicians move around, there is the expected assortment of background noises and listeners get a real sense of an organic performance. *I feel that DV-20X2 gives me most of what I expect when compared to the previous representations from my other (and far more expensive) cartridges.</p>
<p>A supreme test for any cartridge is the closing scene from Wagner’s <em>Das Rheingold</em>, in which a huge storm gathers (in the orchestra) and the god Donner delivers a lightning bolt with the strike on an anvil. *The only recording that I have ever heard that does this piece justice is the 1958 Decca LP (recently reissued as “The Golden Ring” Highlights disc, a part of a deluxe Decca vinyl box set). *The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Sir Georg Solti, delivers the music, and an actual anvil was used for the onstage sound effect.* A huge wall of sound just blows out of the speakers and this cut tests a cartridge’s ability to resolve complex instrumental voices and its ability to stay in the grooves when the music goes fortissimo.* I’m happy to report that the Dynavector never flinches on this one; had Wagner been in my listening room, I’m certain that he would have smiled.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11255" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/dynavector-dv-20x2-low-output-moving-coil-cartridge/attachment/2-43/"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11255" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/253.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>A Dynavector to Die For? </strong></p>
<p>One sign of a great cartridge is its ability to draw listeners in and, in so doing, compel them to play entire LP sides rather than stopping after a single cut.* And the DV-20X2 cartridge is just that kind of analog transducer.* At its $850 asking price, it’s not nearly as steep as the top of the Dynavector price line—or, for that matter, any of my current reference cartridges, the least expensive being the $1,995 Lyra Helikon (also a low-output star).* What the Dynavector does well is convey a palpable soundstage, retrieving much of the detail that resides in the groove (without being overly analytic).* It also easily handles complex sound signals without getting swamped.</p>
<p>If not the ultimate word in any of these categories, this MC cartridge will still provide substantial listening enjoyment with terrific musicality.* Provided your phono preamp is up to handling low-output MC cartridges, this is an easy one to recommend to serious vinyl lovers.</p>
<p><strong> Dynavector DV-20X2 Low-Output MC Cartridge</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $850</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dynavector.com/">www.dynavector.com</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="2"><tr><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>Pass Labs X-30</td>
</tr><tr><td>Phonostage</td>
<td>Pass Labs XP-15</td>
</tr><tr><td>Amplifier</td>
<td>Pass Labs XA100.5</td>
</tr><tr><td>Speakers</td>
<td>Martin Logan CLX</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Conditioner</td>
<td>Running Springs Audio Dmitri and Maxim</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Cables and Power Cords</td>
<td>Nordost Valhalla and Odin</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/dynavector-dv-20x2-low-output-moving-coil-cartridge/]