[Carlman]

Here's the situation: I'm at a nice party and I go outside for a little air... A woman quietly walks up and stands next to me.  I don't look at her but I can feel her body heat.  Then she turns and talks closely but softly into my ear.  I can hear every noise her lips and tongue make and her breath is warm and soft and covering my ear as she speaks... I feel my body temperature rise and pull away and turn to look at her and she's beautiful... and just smiling nicely... I get a warm feeling and a chill at the same time and feel her attraction.

That is the combination of sound I have now.  I have not disected it to find the exact reasons for the emotional impact, imaging, and accuracy but adding the Dynavector was the finishing touch that took me over the edge to write syrupy analogies and glow about my system.  

The Dynavector has taken my vinyl rig to a level I didn't know was possible.  I heard details on 2 of my reference albums I have never heard before.  (Pearl Jam, 'No Code' and Indigo Girls 'Closer to Fine' album.. not sure if that's the album title now that I think about it.)  

I started out listening for how the cart would handle the bass of a thunderclap at the beginning of the Pearl Jam album... it wasn't stellar.. the impact wasn't there.  This was within the first 15 seconds of this cartridge ever playing, though.... So, I'm thinking it probably needs a little break in.  I forget about the thin bass and just listen to what's playing.... which was just a bit tight-sounding but had excellent focus of instrument placement and great midrange.  By the end of the album things were starting to open up a little more...  I could distinctly hear 3 guitars, their specific placement on the soundstage, and they were so detailed I could hear the body of the guitar itself.  I could hear some finger work and little nuances that I'd never heard... ever, on CD or vinyl.  The imaging was razor sharp.  Palpability in the midrange was really good.

When Indigo Girls played, I couldn't turn it off.  Every song had new details I'd never heard.  About half-way through the first side I could swear the girls were in my room.  Wow.  I had chills and more chills followed by waves of awe.

What's odd is that the bass still hasn't opened up but I heard glimpses on certain drum beats.  My system is not perfect but, I've never heard a more imperfect system move me so much.  

I have to say thanks to Bill O'Connell for helping me place my speakers better and most importantly for providing his 8-watt amp to try.  I have a room that conveys a close, personal, musical experience.  I'm so happy I can't stand it.  I didn't want to turn off the tunes tonight but, I had to go to bed and write this 'quick' first impression/revelation.

So, good night!

[mcrespo71]

Nice review!!!  Like I've mentioned before, I was mightily impressed by the Dyna 10X5 and heard it make the Shelter 501 sound downright slow rhythmically, which is a super important attribute for me.

Michael

[lonewolfny42]

Here's the situation: I'm at a nice party and I go outside for a little air... A woman quietly walks up and stands next to me.  I don't look at her but I can feel her body heat.  Then she turns and talks closely but softly into my ear.  I can hear every noise her lips and tongue make and her breath is warm and soft and covering my ear as she speaks... I feel my body temperature rise and pull away and turn to look at her and she's beautiful... and just smiling nicely... I get a warm feeling and a chill at th ...

Wooo, I thought you were quoting a passage from Bill Clinton's new book , but with further reading , I see your talking about a Dynavector phono cart. Enjoy those "sweet" sounds !!

[Rob Babcock]

Man, I felt like having a cigarette after reading your review...and I don't even smoke!    

[Carlman]

I didn't mean for this to be overly romantic sounding but I was moved at how the sound was both technically accurate and emotionally moving.  I melted.  The ONLY problem I hear is a lack of bass.  However, with 1 hour on a cartridge vs. the 20000+ I had on my old one, I can imagine it'll deepen a little more over time.  Was that your experience, Michael?  

So, thanks to Michael and I think another person here who recommended this cartridge.  I really wanted to stay home today and rediscover my albums and buy new ones all at the same time.... !

-C

[claud]

The Dynavector will take about 50 hours to breakin most of the way with some changes from 50 to 100 hours based on my experience with my 20 XH. A nice used P3 Rega might take it up another level.
I don't remember seeing your TT when you hosted. Is this a new source?

[Carlman]

I guess it's new since the meeting.. I have a Pro-Ject RM4.  It sounds pretty nice to me... I'd probably try to upgrade this one before buying a new one, though.  I love the arm it has.

The only issue is I think it needs more oil in the spindle hole.  It makes a little hiss when it spins which just doesn't seem right.  But, I didn't notice it in the sound until I got the new cartridge.  One thing always leads to another...  

[JoshK]

FWIW, my analog dealer (fellow chicago alumn) suggested to me that the main difference between the 10x4mkII (at the time) and my 20xh was in the bass.  He said, he really like the Dynavectors overall but he felt that maybe the 10x4 was a little shy in the bass and that the 20xh might be more to my liking for rock music.  Of course it is more expensive, so he could just have been trying to sell me a more expensive cart but I typically trust his sentiments.  There is a $200 price difference IIRC, so as long as the bass opens up a bit in the 10x5 and your happy I wouldn't fret.

[mcrespo71]

Carlman,

The Dynavector 10X5 I heard was already broken in, but it took my 20X about 100 hours to fully flesh out the bass.  The 10X5 didn't have the biggest bass I've heard, but it was so articulate and tuneful and married so well to the mids and treble that I have not heard a better sub $400 cart.  Give it some time and things should improve nicely.

Michael

[Carlman]

Good to know the bass will improve with time.. The entire sound relaxed a little in the first hour.  Michael's description of a marriage is very appropriate.  

So, it's basically like this now...

After the party she spelled her phone number on my chest and told me to call her sometime.  I couldn't get the thoughts of her presence out of my mind so I called and we formed a nice relationship.  Feelings and discussions got a little more down to earth.  She grew on me as time passed... sure, her base got a little bigger but I like that sort of thing.  She was perfect, we were perfect.  A marriage was made.

 

Anyway, I'm still in the 'honyemoon' state.  And, I'm sure the cartridge will loosen up a bit over time... all I have to do is play it more.. NO PROBLEM!  If the bass gets 5% better, I would not need more.  If it gets 10% better I will be floored with the overall sound and consider buying a spare for when this one wears out.

I've been surfing amusicdirect.com.  They have everything I want and can get stuff if they don't.  So, life is good.

[Inscrutable]

Carl,
So, is your wife into audio porn too?  She better be if she reads this.  

Do yourself a favor, and coerce Claud into bringing over (or better yet ... buy it yourself) Cowboy Junkies' The Trinity Session on single side 45 rpm from Classic Records, available at Acoustic Sounds.  Single miked, 2-track ... perfect example that less is more.

[nature boy]

Carlman,

Good choice on the Dynavector cartridge.  Listening to vinyl is great, good luck building your collection of this "outdated medium".  

NB

[Bill O'Connell]

Hi Carl,

 Patience is a virtue and will be rewarded . Breaking-in any associated components in the vinyl realm just takes so much longer then the digital world. Press play and repeat on the cd player is so much easier then turning over the black wax every 20 minutes plus 50 -100 hours seems to take so much longer when you can't go to bed and have the process burning in as you sleep.
 That bottom end will come into its own just give it some time.

Bill