Anyone gone Troika to Dynavector xx2?

Posted by: Fozz on 10 June 2003

Hi there,

My nerves are on edge a bit at the moment due to
ordering a new cartridge with the usual issue of not being
able to hear it or any of its competition. Just wondered if anyone had made this switch and could help
calm my nerves.

I have lived and loved the troika for around 8 years now (I guess) and it is time to retire the lady. Having read this forum and some reviews on line I think this xx2 is the beast for me, I prefer musical "connection" at the expense of absolute detail and soundstaging for example.
The only other catridge I have heard near this price was
a Linn Arkiv II and that got a lot more off the record than
my troika, it did not really boogie though for me.

My system is very revealing and comprises
LP12 Geddon, Aro, Prefix, supercap
52
Snaxo supercap
250s x 2
SBL

I had delayed chaging cartridge until the prefix was supercapped and that was one hell of an upgrade.

I know this rings of well you know what I want to hear
but please give your honest views. Oh and re the boogie
I mainly listen to jazz, jazz funk, hammondbeat website,
cheesy easy type of stuff.

Thanks in anticipation

Gary

Posted on: 10 June 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly

Fozz

If you liked the Troika and some of the the Arkiv Boron, you must hear the Akiva. I think it is the biggest upgrade I have made in years.

You can also get a £200 (?) trade in on the Troika.

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and happy

Posted on: 10 June 2003 by Frank Abela

I love Dynavectors and the XX2 is a very good cartridge indeed. I'm not sure that its strength is timing however. For that I would have pointed you in the direction of the Ortofon Kontrapunkt B for which timing is everything.

Incidentally, with a supercapped prefix shouldn't you be looking at a top-flight cartridge? There are quite a few such as the Benz LP, Dynavector Te Kaitora and XV-1S, Koetsu Red K Signature, Linn Akiva, Miyabi (love to hear one). I know that it is very difficult to get demos but perseverence usually pays off and these cartridges are in the next league up from the XX2 and KontrapunktB. With the outlay you've made on the phono stage, you should be able to take advantage of the extra resolution, pace, rhythm (the Miyabi is particularly reknowned for this) and the rest they bring to the table.

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: 10 June 2003 by Fozz

thanks to Mike and Frank. Where I am is based on discussion with a few dealers and Dave at Audio Counsel with whom I do the majority of business. Mike's comment about the Akiva is probably absolutely true but Audio Counsel don't do linn and even the NAF (Derek) loughborough don't do it either.

Its very stange doing it this way because every other move I have made I have had chance to fully evaluate.

Mike I note you use Ekos which may make for extra synergy with the Linn catridge? Anyone heard this in an ARO?

hmmm got me thinking arghhhhhh

Posted on: 10 June 2003 by kan man

Gary

My front end is identical to yours except I have a 17D2 and (on balance) this was chosen in preference to a Linn rebuilt Troika. I've heard the XX2 at Derek's and think it does a lot of the things I like about the Troika without losing too much of what I like about the 17D2. It's on my list to consider when I need a new cartridge.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 10 June 2003 by Scott Naylor

Ross-

I'm concerned your Dynavector/Gorecki/Rega P25 alarm might need calibration? It took you almost eleven hours to jump in and diss the XX2 where looking back at your recent posting history you've always been there in under two hours and often in a matter of minutes. I hope everything is okay at your end?

kind regards,
Scott

Posted on: 11 June 2003 by Alex S.

Fozz - I went from Troika to XX2 via 17D2. Each step was a big improvement to my ears and the DVs and Aros seem well suited (Ross hates those too).

Alex

Posted on: 11 June 2003 by Alex S.

Ross,

That's why I bought the Bad Tempered; now Enya sounds as aggressive as the Pumpkins.

Alex

Posted on: 11 June 2003 by Fozz

thanks to everyone for the Mrs Merton style
heated debate. Are there any conclusions?
How can there be!!!

I know that many of you respect the troika rebuilds in various guises. I may keep mine in the event of disaster so that I can go back. The linn rebuilds I think are done by goldring
and not scan-tech so they are as much of an
unknown horse as the others.

What has pleased me is that Alex thought the dynavector did some things better than the troika so it should be worth chancing. I guess if I dont like it then ebay calls.

I would love to hear the lyra range and the Rohmann. Maybe when I get mine any of you near
leicester with aro mounted catridges can
pop round for comparison...

Mind you the prefix is being converted for S
type input.. arghhhhh.

best wishes

Gary