Cartridge Help Needed
Posted by: Edwin on 04 October 2001
Since the Xerxes/Artemiz can be a bit lean in the bass, my tendency is to go for a fuller sounding cartridge. My first thoughts were the Dynavector DV17Mk2 or at a stretch the XX-2, but I am thinking that the DV17 may be too lean sounding in the bass (especially in combination with my Kans).
Does anyone else have experience with cartridges for this TT?
It does
Steve
How does the OC9 compare to the DV17Mk2?
I have been doing some recent comparisons between my TT, a Xerxes/Artemiz/OC7 and an LP12/Ittok LVII/OC9. The LP12 combo definitely sounds much fuller overall especially in the bass (even through my Kans). I would ideally like to get a bit more in the bass department than I currently have. Would the DV17 be a backwards step from the ATOC7 in this regard?
Which Xerxes do you have? I recently did the upgrade from Xerxes to Xerxes X and was gobsmacked by the improvement. I have a Goldring Elite which seems a good match and no shortage of bass (with 250/ Saras). In fact its sounding bloody good right now and have decided that this is my settled system for now. I've never seriously demmed the more expensive carts. I'd be interested to know what you decide.
What about the Shiraz??
Ian
I have the original from about '86 with the first PSU and blob upgrade. I still prefer the Xerxes to a Valhalla'd LP12, maybe bass level excepted. The LP12 is definitely a fuller sounding TT, which seems to match the Kans well.
I am leaning towards the DV17Mk2 although I am somewhat concerned with the level of bass. Its a real shame that you can't demo cartridges these days.
I spoke to Audio T at Reading a while ago and they told me they could demo cartridges - it might be worth giving them a call. Not sure if it's still true, or what they sell now.
About the Xerxes X - Roksan take your old Xerxes (minus inner and outer platter) and you get back an all new deck, motor etc, for about 70% of the cost of an all new X. I did the change as my Xerxes was also about 15 yrs old and it seemed a good opportunity. I wasn't prepared for the difference in sound though - I would really try to hear the X against yours if you can. It was the single biggest upgrade of all, and I've gone in steps from Xerxes/Aretmis/EroicaLX/12/SNAPS/160 to XerxesX/Artemis/Elite/ 102/NAPSC/Hicap/250. Source first, I guess....
It's also worth mentioning that it's much better made and a more profesisonal piece of kit than the original. Its also quite different, structurally, and there's no possibility of the sagging plinth problem (although mine never did)
Ian
[This message was edited by ian meadowcroft on FRIDAY 05 October 2001 at 20:56.]
The 17D2 is a sweet sounding cartridge with lovely midrange, but it is lean. I loved it when I had one until it died (God rest...). But I used it on the tubbier sounding Gyrodec. If you prefer the fuller nature of the LP12, you may find it worth your while checking out the fuller sounding Ortofon Kontrapunkt (A or B at £500 and £750 respectively).
If you can go to an XX-2, this is a cracking cartridge. It doesn't have the slight treble lift of the KontrapunktB and its frequency extremes are far superior to both the Ortofon and 17D2 in my view. That said, all my listening on the above cartridges has been limited to LP12 and Gyrodec.
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Thanks for the input.
Whilst I like the fullness of the LP12, on balance I still prefer the incisiveness and attack of the Xerxes.
Unlike the LP12, there seems to be very little accumulated knowledge of which cartidges work well in the Xerxes/Artemiz. The Shiraz is probably the MC of choice, but it's too rich for my blood. It seems like you have to pay the freight to get the bass! I would be interested in hearing from any other Xerxes users.