MartinT
31-01-2011, 19:02
The Dynavector DV20X2L is the low output version of the new 20X2 series of moving coil cartridges. Using trickle-down technology from higher up the family, the XX2, the 20X2L features the same solid aluminium alloy body and magnetic flux damping with softened magnetism. Flux damping was invented by Dr Tominari, of Dynavector, in order to ‘short circuit’ the yoke so that a voltage cannot be created in it, thus improving the linearity of the magnetic flux. The generator is exposed when looking inside from underneath the cartridge, and produces 0.3mV output with 5 ohm coil resistance. This makes it broadly compatible with many step-up transformers and phono preamp MC input stages. The suggested loading is >30 ohms, but as you’ll see later I had no issue with loading it from between 100 and 200 ohms. The cantilever is a hard aluminium pipe and the stylus is now a micro-ridge nude diamond. Tracking force is stated as 1.8 - 2.2g.
http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/DV20X2L.jpg
The cartridge arrived in functional packaging – no wasted cost here on excessive presentation – and is complete with a selection of hex bolts to fit the cartridge’s threaded holes and a stylus brush. A word about the stylus guard: it is completely inadequate and tended to slide off as I was attaching the 20X2L to the headshell, making mounting more stressful than it need be. Please give us a proper stylus guard, Dynavector! Alignment in the headshell slots was straightforward due to the exposed cantilever and the parallel sides of the body. The cartridge weighs 9.2g so I selected the medium counterweight for my DV507-II arm and proceeded to balance everything up. I selected 1.9g tracking force to start with.
The 20X2L is priced in direct competition with another of my favourite cartridges, the Audio Technica AT33PTG. Its output of 0.3mV is slightly down on the AT’s 0.5mV and this was confirmed by my requiring three more steps, equating to +3dB, of my Pass Labs preamp volume control when playing the Dynavector. I selected the lo-gain (16x) setting on the CineMag step-up transformers, giving 184 ohm loading, having ascertained that the 20X2L sounded a little flat and lifeless when operated straight into the MC stage of the Whest phono amp. This is in line with all previous MC cartridges I have tried direct into phono stages and confirms my preference for a step-up transformer for low output MC amplification.
Fresh out of the box the Dynavector sounded interestingly different from the AT I had previously been using, but I reserved judgement until I had put 20 hours on it. During this process the midrange opened out, the soundstage gained depth and bass weight deepened noticeably.
The 20X2L is a dark sounding cartridge. That is to say, music rises from a deep blackness with very low levels of surface noise. So pronounced is this effect that at first I thought there was something wrong. However, everything was there: wonderful extended and detailed treble, wide open midrange and deep and very tight bass. On playing a number of very familiar LPs I noted the following: midrange is highly detailed and natural sounding with a presentation not quite as in-your-face as the AT, but with greater stage depth; treble is incredibly detailed and full of the texture of real sounds, for instance the reproduction of cymbals is exquisite, demonstrating the timbre and shimmer of real metal; bass is deep, tight and provides structure and foundation to the sound, giving sizeable additional weight over the AT. Stereo soundstage is wide and has notable depth, more so I think than I’ve heard in my system before. Dynamic clout is remarkable and I notice especially so in the bass, where slam and impact are very impressive.
The Dynavector tracks well enough, audible as a security when playing all kinds of material, giving peace of mind and allowing full enjoyment of the music. There is no end-of-side distortion. Playing the HFS69 test record, it passed bands A, C & D easily and band B (the very high level lateral +15dB track) with some signs of difficulty. There is no tendency for the stylus to collect dust.
The DV, because of its dark but rich nature, makes the AT sound ‘shouty’ in comparison. It features superb resolution but delivered in a manner that gives real insight into the music, and brings out many details and sounds not previously noticed. It is this latter property that has given me so much pleasure in re-visiting LPs I thought I knew well. Surface noise is vanishingly low, most probably due to its very fine dynamics and well profiled stylus. In terms of system synergy, the Dynavector has a neutral but powerful voice and should match all highly resolving but neutrally balanced systems whether solid state or valve based.
There is no doubt that the Dynavector DV20X2L benefits from their continuous research and technology derived from previous flagship products. It features a sizeable dose of the high end for a very real-world price, giving superb presentation and insight into my precious collection. It does make me wonder what riches are on offer from the XX2 and even more lofty offerings, but I had better exercise restraint. In fact, I think that the DV20X2L could hold its own in much higher priced company and I can think of no better compliment for it. Highly recommended.
http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/DV20X2L.jpg
The cartridge arrived in functional packaging – no wasted cost here on excessive presentation – and is complete with a selection of hex bolts to fit the cartridge’s threaded holes and a stylus brush. A word about the stylus guard: it is completely inadequate and tended to slide off as I was attaching the 20X2L to the headshell, making mounting more stressful than it need be. Please give us a proper stylus guard, Dynavector! Alignment in the headshell slots was straightforward due to the exposed cantilever and the parallel sides of the body. The cartridge weighs 9.2g so I selected the medium counterweight for my DV507-II arm and proceeded to balance everything up. I selected 1.9g tracking force to start with.
The 20X2L is priced in direct competition with another of my favourite cartridges, the Audio Technica AT33PTG. Its output of 0.3mV is slightly down on the AT’s 0.5mV and this was confirmed by my requiring three more steps, equating to +3dB, of my Pass Labs preamp volume control when playing the Dynavector. I selected the lo-gain (16x) setting on the CineMag step-up transformers, giving 184 ohm loading, having ascertained that the 20X2L sounded a little flat and lifeless when operated straight into the MC stage of the Whest phono amp. This is in line with all previous MC cartridges I have tried direct into phono stages and confirms my preference for a step-up transformer for low output MC amplification.
Fresh out of the box the Dynavector sounded interestingly different from the AT I had previously been using, but I reserved judgement until I had put 20 hours on it. During this process the midrange opened out, the soundstage gained depth and bass weight deepened noticeably.
The 20X2L is a dark sounding cartridge. That is to say, music rises from a deep blackness with very low levels of surface noise. So pronounced is this effect that at first I thought there was something wrong. However, everything was there: wonderful extended and detailed treble, wide open midrange and deep and very tight bass. On playing a number of very familiar LPs I noted the following: midrange is highly detailed and natural sounding with a presentation not quite as in-your-face as the AT, but with greater stage depth; treble is incredibly detailed and full of the texture of real sounds, for instance the reproduction of cymbals is exquisite, demonstrating the timbre and shimmer of real metal; bass is deep, tight and provides structure and foundation to the sound, giving sizeable additional weight over the AT. Stereo soundstage is wide and has notable depth, more so I think than I’ve heard in my system before. Dynamic clout is remarkable and I notice especially so in the bass, where slam and impact are very impressive.
The Dynavector tracks well enough, audible as a security when playing all kinds of material, giving peace of mind and allowing full enjoyment of the music. There is no end-of-side distortion. Playing the HFS69 test record, it passed bands A, C & D easily and band B (the very high level lateral +15dB track) with some signs of difficulty. There is no tendency for the stylus to collect dust.
The DV, because of its dark but rich nature, makes the AT sound ‘shouty’ in comparison. It features superb resolution but delivered in a manner that gives real insight into the music, and brings out many details and sounds not previously noticed. It is this latter property that has given me so much pleasure in re-visiting LPs I thought I knew well. Surface noise is vanishingly low, most probably due to its very fine dynamics and well profiled stylus. In terms of system synergy, the Dynavector has a neutral but powerful voice and should match all highly resolving but neutrally balanced systems whether solid state or valve based.
There is no doubt that the Dynavector DV20X2L benefits from their continuous research and technology derived from previous flagship products. It features a sizeable dose of the high end for a very real-world price, giving superb presentation and insight into my precious collection. It does make me wonder what riches are on offer from the XX2 and even more lofty offerings, but I had better exercise restraint. In fact, I think that the DV20X2L could hold its own in much higher priced company and I can think of no better compliment for it. Highly recommended.