I accidently broke my Dynavector XX1L and don't know if I can live without it's big drama lushy dynamics but am having trouble getting another. Thought the Clyde may be a good alternative if it's not too clinical.

Also can anyone expand on my theory that the dynavectors are not built as robust as say, the Linn cartridges, or am I being paranoid. Had a Troika for years, seemed it was never going to die till the diamond finally wore out.

Chris

Yes, I do have a 6 month use Klyde lying about the house:-)

paul duerden

Interesting comments, I suppose the bottom line is, you only get what you pay for. I was almost ready to shell out for a Te Kaitora but I'm dubious about getting value for money on such an expensive 'consumable' item.

I think the XX1L kicks some serious ass, I've not heard anything with the grip and rythme that cartridge has, it just does'nt let go. There are obviously better cartridges, but for the sound performance/cost ratio, it's hard to beat. I'm still not convinced about build quality though.

I had a pair of Linn DMS Isobariks before I tracked down the IBL's and to hear Neil Young's 'Change Your Mind' from Sleeps With Angels with the volume at 4 o'clock, the 250 flat out, enveloped in this sphere of bass and Young's trade mark distorted guitar was like an out of body experience. Peter Gabriel's 4th album is another goodie.
Good as it was, the Troika never did that, it never involved me that way. It seemed more neutral, less drama.

If the Klyde lacks transparency and detail then that would not do. When I installed the XX1L I found it allowed me to play more of my Vinyl collection and I feel that's the key to this whole 'hi-fi' (for want of a better term) thing, being able to play and enjoy as much of your collection as possible.

Chris

Over the years I've owned two Linn Asakas and one Klyde and I've extensively demmed a stock (unrebuilt) Karma and Troika in my system as well as a van den Hul rebuilt Karma.

I'd rank them like this:

Asaka ~ Klyde < Karma < rebuilt Karma < Troika

where '~' is different but comparable

As you progress through the hierarchy, the presentation gets progressively more refined and fun. This doesn't answer your question whether a Klyde is better than an XX-1L, but I think even Dynavector's detractors would put the XX-1L above the Klyde.

Hope this helps.

Joe

P.S. On a completely unrelated topic, here's a bit of spam I received this morning that deserves to be true:

In 1555, Nostradamus wrote:
"Come the millennium, month 12,
In the home of greatest power,
The village idiot will come forth
To be acclaimed the leader."

I do agree with joe's rating :
klyde< karma < troika (though some may love the karma sound) < arkiv2

I have had a new klyde on my ekos for 3 months, and it is a good cartridge, but no doubt that if karma still existed I won't have changed for a klyde!!

on an Ekos, however there is a good match with the klyde; should I have an Aro, i would try other carts, ortofon for example.

regards
jean-christophe

Where can one purchase cartridges directly from Japan??

"Dynavector Systems Ltd.
2-16-15 Iwamoto-cho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0032 Japan
TEL 813-3861-4341 FAX 813-3862-1650"

I don't know how responsive they will be. I wouldn't expect too much support from your UK dealer either after you have bought one.

Which is the problem I am faced with now because it's nigh impossible to find a Hi-Fi dealer in Australia where a demo can be had on a range of cartridges.
I purchased the XX1L without hearing it.

Chris

p.s. Maybe Ross Blackman can shed some light, come on Ross you must have a few stories!

[This message was edited by Chris Demas on THURSDAY 21 December 2000 at 02:11.]

Jonathon Davies is the Dynavector distributor in Australia (he is located in Beacon Hill, in Sydney). Last time I spoke to him, he was happy to lend demo cartridges (although I didn't take him up on this offer). He also carries Koetsu. You can email him on his website.

The other dealer who will demo cartridges is Peter McIntyre at High End Audio in Baulkham Hills (who, as it happens, I will be seeing on the weekend). Peter can demo the Lyra, Transfiguration and Crown Jewel cartridges (and possibly one or two others).

I have always found both Jonathon and Peter very good to deal with. Both offer prices that are comparable with the equivalent prices overseas (unlike some products; e.g. Linn or Naim).

Other than that, I can't think of anywhere else in Sydney where you can hear cartridges.

Ross

I've been using a Troika for a few years and I think the time is coming to look at replacing it. A Linn dealer I spoke to actually advised against a Linn rebuild as poor value for money, advising instead to go for one of the Dynavectors. I have only previously heard Linn K9/K18 cartridges on my LP12/Ittock, so can anyone advise on the best path within the £500 it costs to rebuild the Troika.

quote:

---

Do you still have that old Troika?If so send it to a firm called Expert Pickups for a rebuild a friend of mine did that and the Troika sounded better tha I had ever heard it.For a reasonably small outlay you would have a better cartridge than the Klyde

---

Thanks for the advice. It was very handy and has helped to sort a few things out.

Cheers, Chris

i have forgotten a remark:
the klyde may not be as good as an arkiv2, but given the price it is a pretty good MC, and with a klyde your LP12 as fitted will easily blow away a CDX player!!

jean-christophe

However, can anyone point me toward a good slightly higher-output MC cartridge for under £500 to mate to an LP12/Lingo/Aro setup (which I will have by the end of the year)???

John

To clarify a couple of points, the Arkiv is made by Scan-Tech, who also make the Lyra cartridges. However, the Arkiv is made to Linn's specifications, while the Lyra cartridges are made to Jonathon Carr's (Lyra) specifications. Lyra do not design the Linn cartridges.

In this part of the world, the Lyra Helikon is about half the price of the Arkiv - hence my comment above about some products, such as Linn, being overpriced. In this case, the Helikon is even better value, which is why I strongly recommend it to Chris.

Ross

quote:

---

I've been using a Troika for a few years and I think the time is coming to look at replacing it. A Linn dealer I spoke to actually advised against a Linn rebuild as poor value for money, advising instead to go for one of the Dynavectors.

---

I'm surprised at this - I had a completely manky, clapped-out Troika rebuilt by Linn (although I don't think you actually get the same cartridge back), and the result was staggering. Certainly better than a new Klyde (which I think is a great cartridge), for the same money. In particular a brighter, cleaner, more detailed top-end.

And don't Linn dealers face the wrath of Ivor for saying anything remotely anti-Linn? Or indeed pro-anything-else?

Phil

quote:

---

And don't Linn dealers face the wrath of Ivor for saying anything remotely anti-Linn? Or indeed pro-anything-else?

---

Hi Phil,
Yeah, I thought it best not to name names. The thought of what is effectively a brand new shiny red Troika is very appealing, my problem is that I don't really have experience of anything else, so don't know if it's good value or not.
I can see the argument that it's a lot to rebuild an obsolete cartridge, but is it still better than comparably priced new ones currently available
Who else rebuilds Troika's, and what is the cost/quality like.

Ade