New DV17D2 and phono stages

Posted by: Tim Jones on 04 April 2003

My dealer very helpfully called me earlier to advise that I hold off buying a new DV17D2 MkII, as a 'new' one is due imminently, with a new flux-dumping (or -damping, or -clumping) mechanism, more headroom and a better sound for 50GBP more.

I have taken his advice and will wait for the new one. Anyone heard it?

Second thing - has anyone comapred a Trichord Dino+ phono stage as against a Tom Evans Microgroove or an EAR 834P? I want one of the three, but getting a dealer who stocks all to dem them is a bit tricky...

Tim

Posted on: 05 April 2003 by Tim Jones

Bit sad replying to your own post, but my excellent dealer managed to get the new DV17D2 in today. He suggested I wait to hear it straight into the 52 before buying a phono stage.

Even given the contrast of new to old stylus, the uprated 17D2 seems a major improvement. It sounds cleaner and faster, and has a slightly higher output (0.26mv as opposed to 0.23mv). This doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to forget about the phonostage, but I am having a hard time dragging myself away from the P9.

Thanks Peter!

Tim

Posted on: 05 April 2003 by garyi

Tim, the flux damping, is it switchable a la xx-1?

The DV2 is a special cartridge, would be interesting to know how they have developed it.

Posted on: 05 April 2003 by Tim Jones

Gary -

No it's not. But it also has the 'softened magnetism' thing (which I don't remember it having before) which, as in the XX-1 and XX-2 is supposed to help with sibilance.

Don't know what they've done to the insides, but it's settling in now and sounding very , very fine.

Tim

Posted on: 06 April 2003 by sideshowbob

quote:

Second thing - has anyone comapred a Trichord Dino+ phono stage as against a Tom Evans Microgroove or an EAR 834P? I want one of the three, but getting a dealer who stocks all to dem them is a bit tricky...

Walrus stock all of these.

-- Ian

Posted on: 06 April 2003 by Tim Jones

Yes- if you include the trade in on an old one. The new retail price has gone up 50 quid to (?) 500.