dynavector XX2!!!

Posted by: ken c on 29 June 2001

oh, my...

am i the only one in the uk (or wherever) using the xx2? if there are any forum members using this wonderful device, i would like to get in touch with you, either through this esteemed forum, or privately via email to perhaps share a few experiences.

meantime, i have been to the loft to pick up a large number of records. played a few so far. suffice it to say, i am truly gobsmacked !!!

nuff sed.

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 29 June 2001 by Mark Dunn

Hi Ken:

I use a DV XV-1 on an Armageddon/LP12(Cirkus)/ARO and it has the same 'PathFinder' stylus shape as the XX2 and Te Kaitora.

Something to keep in mind is that this stylus type seems VERY sensitive to VTA and in my experience it works best with the rear of the arm raised a little.

What's 'a little'? Well if you have an ARO, take the bullseye level that came with it and (with the arm on its rest) carefully centre it on top of the ARO's bearing cup. Now 'play' a record and you can see dynamically if the arms tilted right-to-left or front-to-back. Mine sounds best with the VTA adjusted so that the circle marked in the level's centre bisects the bubble at the point nearest the back of the arm. Much higher and things get a bit sibilant, - much lower and there's a sort of subconciously perceptible overhang to the bass and a tiny lack of sparkle.

Have fun,
Mark Dunn

Posted on: 29 June 2001 by ken c

many thanks, i will chek this VTA business sometime. right now the deck sounds so good i feel like "if it aint broke, etc etc...". however, if there is more music to be had, i want it, hence will revisit this at some point.

thank for the instructions to set the right VTA

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 02 July 2001 by ken c

we were discussing this in another thread, but this fits here better, i think. i now have a reply from dynavector on cleaning, which i have pasted below. i am sure dynavector dont mind their (potential) users knowing about this in general. so here goes:

Dear Mr.Chakahwata

Thank you very much for your using XX2.

Audio phile have their own opinion of the cleaning method of stylus
and we acknowledge that there are various cleaning methods as you
know. So it is difficult to define the best cleaning method that
should be changed by condition of adhesion of dirt and fixation
method between stylus and cantilever. If possible, you should check
adhesion of dirt of stylus in the microscope.

Our recommendation of the cleaning is as follows;

*Stylus Cleaning
Keep your records clean. Dust causes record wear and sonic distortion.
When you clean the stylus, use the soft brush supplied. Brush only from
back to front in order to avoid damage. If a dark deposit like tan
should appear on the stylus tip, use a fine brush with a small quantity
of alcohol and distilled water mixed 50/50. Very fine emery paper (30
micron) will also shift stubborn deposits.

Commercial cleaning solutions or vibrators can cause stylus damage.

Please note that you should take care not to excess force to a stylus
tip on playing as stylus tip fixed on Boron cantilever has less
strength than a stylus tip on aluminium cantilever

We hope that you could enjoy the analog music with our cartridge in
good condition.

Best regards,
Masaaki Sasa
Dynavector

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 02 July 2001 by Chris Metcalfe

Joking apart, (oh go on then), I've been using the famous Audio-Technica stylus cleaner (vibrator) for many years and not noticed any damage.

I must also be one of the few people to own the wonderful Audio-Technica 'Safety Raiser', a superbly engineered spring-action stylus lift, which doesn't work on the LP12 because of its inherent springiness, but works a treat on a Rega.

The XX1-L's still going strong, anyway.

Posted on: 02 July 2001 by ken c

chris m, i have that too -- owned it since my asak days. apparently not made anymore.

you are a brave man to go against the makers warnings (sounds a bit religious -- didnt mean it that way....). appaently the cantelever may not be strong enough to stand the viabrations? dunno...

i suspect your "oh, go on then" will open the floodgates in a minute... lets wait and see. keep it clean guys...

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 03 July 2001 by David Dever

quote:
Something to keep in mind is that this stylus type seems VERY sensitive to VTA and in my experience it works best with the rear of the arm raised a little.

First time Mark told me this on the phone, I thought he was nuts...turns out that he's right, even on an XX2--leaving the VTA set at a "traditional" setting makes the cartridge sound thin, and makes it more sensitive to surface noise. Crank it up about 4mm, and cellos stop sounding like synthesisers...

Overall, though, quite an improvement over the XX1--not as heavy, shorter stylus-to-mounting distance, and looks sexy on an ARO, especially with the milled-out sides (missing in the Origin Live pic).

Dave Dever, NANA

Posted on: 04 July 2001 by Scott Naylor

David, et al-

I'll add my .02 that the xx2 likes to be high up there. The 4mm spacers on my P9 seem best in the ways you've described. What a fun and musically compelling cartridge - it just grabs bass lines and gives music a great foundation and rhythmic "start". Makes my dear xx1 sound more than a bit stodgy in comparison.

Looking forward to hearing from those in the know if it "plays in tune". Bob E. are you out there?

Best,
Scott

Posted on: 04 July 2001 by Mark Dunn

Hi Dave:

Re:

>First time Mark told me this on the phone, I thought he was nuts...<

I am. My wife told me so and she's always right (she told me that too).

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn