Dynavector XX1L on an Aro

Posted by: Chris L on 09 April 2002

Okay, just to show my indecision on this!

After my recent thread Used Cartridges (Dynavector/Linn)?? I've pretty decided that I'm going to take up a good deal on a Dynavector XX1L

Now, I know at least a couple of you out there have run this cartridge, so:

Is there any reason I should be wary of this purchase other than the usual?

Jason Hector has already given a thumbs up vote, but I've seen some comments on here that have possibly made me a bit over cautious about the XX1.

Thanks,

Chris L

Posted on: 09 April 2002 by gordon cavanaugh

don't forget that you'll need to use the heavy counterweight for your aro with the XX1L. i replaced my archive 1 (LP12/aro) with the XX1L, and much prefer the XX1L. i found it much more dynamic, lively, and musical without losing any of the arhive's detail.

Posted on: 09 April 2002 by Chris L

quote:
don't forget that you'll need to use the heavy counterweight for your aro with the XX1L.

I've already got the heavy counterweight, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for the input - confidence is growing

Chris L

Posted on: 09 April 2002 by Martin Payne

I believe the XX1 has somewhat of a different character to the XX2, and the rest of the current DV range (e.g. 17D2).

It is reputed not to work well on the Ekos, since it is too heavy.

I'm not trying to put you off, and if it works well in the Aro then all well & good. I'm just cautioning you in case you've heard the XX2/17D2, etc and are expecting exactly the same character.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 10 April 2002 by Chris L

Martin,

Do you know any of the details of how the XX1's nature differs from the other DV range?

I've only heard an XX2 and 17D very briefly and the system was rather different from my own, so I don't really have any preconceptions.

Chris L

Posted on: 10 April 2002 by Bosh

Just gone XX2 from XX1L and previously Troika. I preferred XX1 to Troika but the XX2 is in a different league in all respects.

Comparatively the XX1 lacked speed particularly in the bass and clatiry particularly at the top end. The XX1 should be peanuts secondhand and it will be worth £200 against an XX2

Posted on: 10 April 2002 by Chris L

Well, I'll probably be going for the XX1, as it sounds like it will be good for a while! There's a couple of other things I need to look into before I make the final decision, but it looks good for the XX1!

Shahreza,

I've been offered a "nearly new" XX1 for 250ukp, which I figure is worthwhile. For one that really is "used", you're probably looking at just around the trade-in value, which, as mentioned above, will be about 200ukp.

Hope this helps.

Chris L

Posted on: 10 April 2002 by Dev B

I have heard the xx1 (medium output) and the xx1-L (low output) on an Aro and think the xx1 is alright but the xx1-L works really quite well on the Aro. Make sure you get the right one.

regards

Dev

Posted on: 10 April 2002 by Chris L

quote:
the xx1 is alright but the xx1-L works really quite well on the Aro

I heard about this, but I thought that the medium output xx1 was only available in Japan.

Anyway, it's a XX1L I've been offered, so that's okay.

Thanks,

Chris

Posted on: 10 April 2002 by Bosh

Chris

The other alternative is to source a new XX2 in Japan if you have contacts (or maybe Shahreza has)as they can be had for just over £300

Posted on: 13 April 2002 by Chris L

Well, I got the XX1L yesterday, and it's sounding pretty good! I got it for the trade-in value, so it's really a "no-loss" purchase.

Its presentation reminds me, in many ways, of the Linn Karma/Troika - quite easy going, but without being dull or too un-dynamic - very nice indeed.

And yes, Paul, tweeking the arm up a little at the back made quite a difference in opening up the high-end, so thanks for the tip.

In the longer term, I'm going to seriously think about an XX2 when the XX1 gets past it. But for now, I'm off back to the records.

Thanks for help,

Chris L