Which cartridge for SME 10?

1. A friend of mine has a Lyra Clavis Evolve 99 which works well in his SME 10/SMEV setup. The evolve was a limited edition thing, but the Helikon SL is based closely on it. I don't like the standard Helikon, but the SL is supposed to be very good indeed.

2. Have a listen (if you can) to a Dynavector. Either an XX2, Te Kaitora or the new XV-1S which is much improved over the XV-1. They're wonderful cartridges (come to think of it I really must get around to selling my Te Kaitora - interested?). Loads of drama and passion, if not the best timing in the business.

3. I haven't heard it in the SME, but you could try the Ortofon KontrapunktB. Lots of pace, if not the most refined sound.

4. The Koetsu Red K Signature is meant to be a cracker. Lots of pace and drama. I've been impressed the few times I've heard it.

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 Frank for the reply. Funny, I am using the XX-2 now and really like it, but the SME dealer didn't like Dynavectors at all (he doesn't carry them) and is very keen on Koetsu especially Urushi.

I'll try the Koetsu you suggested. How would you compare to the Urushi, rosewood platinum etc?

I have only heard Koetsus on odd occasions. I know the Red Signature (prior model to Red K Signature I believe) quite well and it is a fine cartridge indeed. Very emotive. No idea about the Urushi and Platinum (which is the diamond cantilever job right? - should be fab).

What I would say, however, is that if you hear the Koetsu, don't miss out on a shot at the Dynavector XV-1S. It has been upgraded from the XV-1 and it is altogether MUCH better than the XV-1 was. We were quite gobsmacked at how good the XV-1S was.

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.

I've installed 2 Koetsus in SME 10s and heard what appeared to be a match made in heaven. Speculation amongst my peers suggests A R-A of SME uses one in his own system. If your budget will stretch to the Onyx Platinum, that's what I'd recommend.

"...support your local independent dealer!"

Thanks Frank and Stephen.

Just for thread completion (since this is the only one on SME 10!) I found out that, according to my dealer the Urushi Rosewood is the stateside name for the Red K.

Talking of supporting your local dealer, I am extremely lucky in having relocated to within a few miles of the Analog Room in San Jose where Brian Hartsell brings so much pleasure and fine service to so many people. I do not know of anywhere quite like this place.

What about a VDH?I have just bought a MC2 Special for my Alphason HR100 S at a very good price.Should work well in the SME.

Cheers,
Paul.

I borrowed an SME 10 from a nice dealer in Basingstoke, fitted with a IV, and added my Dynavector XX2; this worked superbly, and when sited on a Base platform removed any non-suspended bass-related problems. Looks great, fab to use, and as good as a Linn in detail terms if completely, utterly different in presentation. Ideally I'd like both, but at a minimum of £3400 it's hard to justify, especially as you don't get much cash for an LP12 these days.

Hi all:

Frank Abela wrote:

>Don't miss out on a shot at the Dynavector XV-1S. It has been upgraded from the XV-1 and it is altogether MUCH better than the XV-1 was. We were quite gobsmacked at how good the XV-1S was.<

Frank, you little tease! Please spill the beans on small details such as:

a. The system you heard them in.
b. Price difference (if any :-).
c. Sonic and musical changes.
d. Type of music auditioned.

The only worthwhile reference I could find on the web is on DV's Japanese site. I put a fish in my ear, courtesy of AltaVista but 'garbled' is as good as it got.

The one thing I did get out of it is that the yoke is now made of ebony, which is interesting. Whilst having my XV-1 serviced by DV Japan earlier this year, Mike Pranka (U.S. DV distributor) kindly loaned me a Karat Nova, which is loosely based on the 17D2 and has an ebony body. The one overriding striking quality of this cartridge is that it is *blindingly* fast. In fact, the fastest cartridge I've ever heard. Not bright or thin or lean, just fast. If the speed of the Karat Nova could be combined with the qualities of the XV-1 we'd be in for something special.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

PS. The Karat Nova was a limited edition special and is no longer available. I *think* Ken Lyons of Neuance uses one to great effect.

OK, I must come clean here. We didn't do a direct A/B of the XV-1 vs XV-1S. All I know is this: although we had been quite taken with the original XV-1, we were completely taken by the S.

The original XV-1 showed great potential, very lean, very fast (haven't heard a Nova). However (and oddly for a Dynavector) it lacked a little drama or soul. Don't get me wrong - still a great cartridge.

The new S is substantially better in that it times very well indeed but it retains more of the engaging qualities of the rest of Dynavector's cartridges. It's a real blast! My understanding from the importer is that every single part of the cartridge has been revised apart from the magnets! Whereas the XV-1 had quite a bit of metal in it, it now uses ebony and plastic, making it lighter and much easier for arms to handle (the ARO definitely felt like it had its hands full with the original).

Music - all types, but mostly rock.
System - Linn LP12/ARO/Armageddon/Groove/52/500/SL2 on hutter.
Price change - gone up by about £500.

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 Frank.

The Japanese web page thinks the weight is still 12.6g but that's probably a typo if metal has been replaced with wood and plastic.

Regarding the 'soul' thing, I've had a 17D2 and a Te Kaitora and never noticed that facet of the XV-1. Mind you, my 102/250 isn't exactly in the 552/500 class for resolution ;-)

And... 500 quid more!!!

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Well, spent all week with Koetsus and SME 10. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Urishi Vermillion in a non-Naim system may work well. But in my Naim system it sounds terrible - the most vivid impression is that the source "can't catch up" and the music is effectively destroyed.

Bring on Rosewood Signature Platinum. Absolutely stunning in every way in the Naim system, fast, articulate detailed even some soundstage if you want it. Sounded worse in some ways than my XX-2 in the non-Naim system though! Probably because the rest of the non-Naim system was detailed rather than fast.

The moral of this story is (surprise surprise) that a Naim system is not just source first but "fast source first".

Also IMO a lot of good systems can sound very musical (whether fast detailed, warm or whatever), just be careful to find out whether it is speed or detail that is making it sound musical.

I'll post more details if anyone is interested.

So Jeremy,

What have you decided to do? Are you going for the Platinum or will you give the XV-1S a go?

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.

I'm going with the RSP. I know that I should really listen to the DV, but this time around I haven't the chance to compare and I was very taken with the Koetsu. I have a loaner right now and it soundsg better and better the more I listen, irrespective of the type of music. Spending more time listening to music vs potentially wasting time evaluating seems a good trade-off.
I am still very impressed at how the SME 10 with M10 arm reinforces and compliments the Naim system and values, for about the same price as a new LP12-based TT+PS+arm+dedicated stand which cannot be in the same league IMO.