[mick wolfe]

I get the impression there's a special synergy going on with the WTA ( or Simplex) and Dynavector carts. Curious if the 20 is a huge step up from the 10 x 5? I know if we go further up the food chain we move into the low-output offerings and my wallet can't handle that at this time. Not out of the question down the road though. Right now I really can't complain about my Soundsmith SMMC2, but curious nonetheless. Thx for any thoughts.

[Kt77]

Hi Mick, As you've already figured out there is a great synergy between both. As I use/own both cartridges I'd have to say the cost different between the 10x5 and the 20x2 is well worth it. The latter is better balanced throughout as well as offering a greater sense of refinement and inner detail. Yet at some point later on in this lifetime you simply have to hear either table with a Dynavector XXmk2 along with a EMT TSD-15 and/or VdH Frog, as any of these with be an end of the search for musical bliss. Regards,Oscar

[roscoeiii]

I do love the SoundSmith rebuilt XX-2 MkII combo that I had with my WTA. A real synergy of Dyna and the WTA. I also use a P75 phono stage which allows me to take advantage of the Phono Enhancer mode which works especially well with low impedance LOMCs (like the 20X2 and XX-2, but not the 17D3, which is higher impedance).

And in general, it seems that the most raved about carts with WTAs are Dyna and EMT.

I also loved my SoundSmith cart with the WTA, it was their cheapest option. Shure 91ED with a JICO SAS was another fave at a cheaper price point.

[mick wolfe]

I do love the SoundSmith rebuilt XX-2 MkII combo that I had with my WTA. A real synergy of Dyna and the WTA. I also use a P75 phono stage which allows me to take advantage of the Phono Enhancer mode which works especially well with low impedance LOMCs (like the 20X2 and XX-2, but not the 17D3, which is higher impedance).

And in general, it seems that the most raved about carts with WTAs are Dyna and EMT.

I also loved my SoundSmith cart with the WTA, it was their cheapest option. Shure 91ED with a JICO SAS was another fave at a cheaper price point.

Sounds like one really have to go out of his way to find a cart that the WTA DOESN'T like. Yes, unless there's a night and day difference, I want to stay in the high output camp for now.... although your set-up sounds about perfect. Thx..M

[vortrex]

my soundsmith zephyr sounds extremely good on my new WTA.  it seems a lot of people prefer this in general to the dynavector 20X2H.

[Scottdazzle]

my soundsmith zephyr sounds extremely good on my new WTA.  it seems a lot of people prefer this in general to the dynavector 20X2H.

I certainly prefer the Soundsmith Zephyr to the Dynavector 20x2h in my VPI Classic.  The Dyna was too punchy and harsh to my ears.  It was great on rock but I didn't like it on acoustic music.  The Zephyr was a jack of all trades - good to great on all types of music and it tracked like a champ, too. 

[threadkiller]

Hogwash... Too many variables to know if someone heard a cartridge properly setup.
Try and hear em for yourselves, setup by a sanctioned dealer.

[Scottdazzle]

Not sure who you are accusing of hogwash. If it's me, I've set up cartridges and tonearms hundreds, maybe even thousands of times.  I know how to do it and do it well.  The VPI Soundsmith Zephyr in my system is clearly superior to the Dynavector. YMMV, but it's no hogwash.

[mick wolfe]

Not sure who you are accusing of hogwash. If it's me, I've set up cartridges and tonearms hundreds, maybe even thousands of times.  I know how to do it and do it well.  The VPI Soundsmith Zephyr in my system is clearly superior to the Dynavector. YMMV, but it's no hogwash.

Thx. That makes me feel a lot better about my SMMC2. Thought it sounded better than ever with the Amadeus arm. All this of course assuming the these two Soundsmith's are at least kiss'in cousins sonically....

[mick wolfe]

my soundsmith zephyr sounds extremely good on my new WTA.  it seems a lot of people prefer this in general to the dynavector 20X2H.

Heard that same comment a few years back at AudioAsylum. At the time I'd posted about the 20H vs. the SMMC2. I got a lot of positive comments in favor of the Soundsmith.

[threadkiller]

My point was there's no way to judge a cartridge on a forum.
I certainly wouldn't take anyone's opinion. The only way is to hear it in your system, with proper setup and correct phono stage.
I say this from experience- I've seen and heard some of the worst setups, with poorly matched phono stages, in people's homes- setup by so-called experts.

To the OP, the new WTL line of tables seem to work well with most any cartridge, as has been noted many times.
Many WTL dealers are also dealers for Dynavector and EMT, two great cartridge lines.  So no great mystery there.

[Scottdazzle]

Of course you can't judge a cartridge on a forum, but this forum exists so that audiophiles can share their experiences and opinions.  There's no way any of us can personally sample every component we're interested in, especially with the scarcity of brick and mortar dealers these days. 

Vortrex specifically mentioned 2 cartridges that I have personal experience with.  On AC, that is an open invitation for comments.  I imagine he doesn't want to buy both just to find out which one works best in his system.  Although I've done that several times and it gets real expensive real fast. 

[threadkiller]

True enough.  At one time I had a drawer full of cartridges..

Cartridge caveat, especially for newbies-- just so one remembers different tables, phono stages, setups yield various results.

Enjoy!

[tricka]

I can recommend the Dyna 20 x 2 H and, more recently, the xx2 all mated to a P75. The Dr T phono enhanced mode and the xx2 is an especially pleasing combination.

I would spring the extra and get a 20x2 -

They are relatively common second hand as most people upgrade to an xx2 at some point: I have my 50 hr 20x2 H sitting around if someone wants it.