Dynavector xx-2 and surface noise
Posted by: Simon Jenkins on 03 June 2002
A quick (hopefully) question for all you other xx-2 owners out there.
I've just had an xx-2 fitted to my lp12/ekos/lingo. Great cartridge, but, I am getting a lot more surface noise from the xx-2 than I was of my old 17d2. Most records now all seem to have some snap,crackle and pop, whereas hardly any did before. Also there is audible surface noise during quiet tracks which was never there before.
Four things spring to mind that may be causing this.
1) Cartridge break in. The xx-2 has less than 50 hours at the moment.
2) LP12 set up. My LP12 is not perfectly set-up. The rear suspension spring needs tightening, the suspension at the back is about 1mm down and needs raising. I'm not home enough to do this at the moment, and have never played with the LP12 set-up before, so have been putting of doing this.
3) Tracking/anti skating force. Anybody else using the xx-2 with an Ekos ? What settings are you using ?
4)The xx-2 is just picks up more noise.
My thoughts are that 1 and 2 are the most likely culprits, especially the suspension.
I am a bit dubious about changing the suspension set-up my self as I have never done it before, but guess I am just going to have to bite the bullet.
Any comments ? I am really impressed with the overall sound of the xx-2, it's a massive improvement over the 17d2 in all respects apart from the noise, and unfortunatly the noise level is to much, so much so that at the moment I am using my CD5 as much if not more than the LP12.
Simon
Posted on: 03 June 2002 by John
My XX2 has been running now for about 3-4 weeks but I experienced the opposite. It sounds like you might have serious setup issues. I clean all my LPs with a VPI machine and the background noise is dead silent. backgrounds are blacker than my CDS. I am running it on a P9/Prefix S. I experienced decreases in surface noise when I bought my VPI, changed my cartridge from a Benz M2 to the XX2 and when I went from internal boards to a prefix. I know the last one doesn't make sense but that is what I experienced.
John
Posted on: 03 June 2002 by Frank Abela
In my view the 17D2 is the quietest cartridge I have ever heard. It just doesn't seem to pick up pops and crackles and yet it manages to retrieve detail galore!
That said the XX-2 is not a noisy cartridge (I can think of far worse). Generally, it's a very refined and quiet cartridge so I must conclude that there is a problem with the setup. The level of noise you're talking about certainly justifies a checkup.
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.
Posted on: 03 June 2002 by Bosh
Just who sold you an XX2 and didnt do a decent LP12 setup?!!
I did notice surface noise when I changed to XX2 (March 2002) but not now, perhaps break in has cured it (or I enjoy the music too much to notice now)
Posted on: 03 June 2002 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by John:
and when I went from internal boards to a prefix. I know the last one doesn't make sense but that is what I experienced.
John,
not weird at all.
The levels that come off a low output MC cart are extremely low. They are very hard to amplify well. It would be no surprise if there might be some loss of dynamic range when applying this much gain.
This would boost the level of the surface noise.
It would be no surprise at all to find that one of the strengths of the Prefix is better dynamic range. This would push the noise down, as well as giving a more dynamic sound.
cheers, Martin
[This message was edited by Martin Payne on MONDAY 03 June 2002 at 21:18.]
Posted on: 04 June 2002 by Simon Jenkins
John,
I think you may be correct and it is the setup. I hope it's just the suspension on the LP12, as I feel just about brave enough to tackle this. If it's the cartridge set-up then I may be in trouble as I don't have the faintest idea on fitting a cartridge properly.
Frank,
My lp12 just had a supposed check-up at the time the cartridge was fitted (a few weeks ago). As it seems not to be done properly in the first place there seems to be little point in taking it back.
Bosh,
I'm not going to discuss who did the LP12 and xx-2 setup here. If your really interested, then e.mail me at the address in my profile.
Simon
Posted on: 04 June 2002 by John
Simon, look at getting something to assist you with the setup. I just ordered an HFN&RR setup LP. It apparently comes with different protractors and has many tracks to test various issues. I want to make sure my XX2 is setup correctly.
John
Posted on: 04 June 2002 by Simon Jenkins
John,
Let me know how you get on with the set-up record.
I am working away from home until the end of the month and am only back at the weekends so I don't get much time to play with the set-up. Hopefully I'll get the time this weekend to adjust the LP12 suspension and see if this makes any difference.
Simon
Posted on: 10 June 2002 by Simon Jenkins
Just so I don't put anybody off from buying an xx-2.
Yesterday morning I got the tools out and adjusted the back spring on my LP12 to level up the suspension. After about 20 minutes of tweaking the platter/sub-chassis was level.
I then proceeded to set everything backup and plug in.
What an improvement, the surface noise had all gone, and the music just came through. Needless to say most of the rest of yesterday was spent spinning records, with a big cheesy grin on my face.
I still find that the xx-2 is a little more prone to picking up static than the 17d2, but I guess that this may have something to do with using a metal rather than diamond cantilver.
Anyway, the xx-2 just builds on everything the 172d does well, just alround more of everything.
After 13 years of ownership, this is the first time I deleved into the innards of my LP12, and considering all the "black art" statements that I have read, it was surprisingly easy. I don't think I'm quiet ready to perform a full LP12 setup yet, but this may be that last time a dealer gets their 50 quid plus service fee out of me. Who knows I may even eventually get brave enough to fit a cartridge myself, then again .....
Simon
Posted on: 11 June 2002 by Bosh
"brave enough to fit a cartridge myself" - and get an XX-2 from Japan for £330 or a Tekaitora/XV for similar "bargain" prices.
Knowing my luck, if I tried I'd have a very expensive accident!
Posted on: 11 June 2002 by Simon Jenkins
Bosh,
I don't know about you, but until it gets to the stage where I can't find a dealer who can fit a cartridge, I won't do it myself.
If I was still at the cheapo MM stage then I would probably bite the bullet and give it a try, but with a grands worth of Dynavector then forget it. Even manual cueing is a nervous experience !!
Even at the relatively cheapo prices from Japan I wouldn't try it myself.
Simon
