[sunnydaze]

In your price range, you might consider Clearaudio's Virtuoso or Maestro. Previously, I had great experiences with those two cartridges mounted on a VPI JMW 10.5i tonearm.

+1

I own both these carts and they are excellent.

caveat:   I have never used them on VPI gear.

[roscoeiii]

Mounting a cart isn't too hard with the right tools. Scale, protractor and a test record will get you sorted.

[bajaed]

I would let VPI set it up and dial it in perfect. You have two awesome choices.

I would get the Dyna, set it at 100 ohms and you will be in analogue heaven.

[roscoeiii]

Music Direct also sells VPI and may have a wider range of carts available to mount. Chris at Music Direct may be worth talking to. He has a VPI Classic at home IIRC.

[isaacrivera]

I would get the Dyna, set it at 100 ohms and you will be in analogue heaven.

Thanks bajaed. This is what I think I'm gonna do. After all, this is a turntable for life and this is only the first cart to play with.

[roscoeiii]

Dynas are great carts

[SteveRB]

... this is only the first cart to play with.

exactly,

I have been going done the MM rabbit hole recently with my VPI Classic 1.

[isaacrivera]

In my readings, I find that most 20xl users load right around 100.  TBH, I seriously doubt that I could even hear any diff between 30 and 100.  Other golden ears may disagree.  But personally, I would not fret about it or get caught up in such minutiae.

From Jonathan Valin, TAS:

There will usually be a recommended loading value or range of values in the instruction manual. Once again, a suggested cartridge-loading is only that—a suggestion. You do not have to take it as gospel.

In my experience, there really is no one “right” answer to this question. The loading of an m-c cartridge depends on which sonic qualities you prefer. In general, loading a cartridge down will tame excessive brightness and/or aggressiveness (and at the same time seemingly make the bass range fuller and more prominent because of the reduction in upper-midrange/treble energy); however, you may pay a small price in dynamic liveliness, presence, airiness, and spaciousness for these sonic gains depending on system context.

Thanks sunny daze, it is true that googling Dynavector 20X2 impedance seems to produce a lot of 100Ω and even much higher results...

Thank you for educating me on the subject.

[sunnydaze]

You are very welcome.   Enjoy whatever cart you get, you can't go wrong with any of your candidates.

~ John

[sunnydaze]

Just FYI and FWIW,  this reviewer / listener went gaga over the Dyna 20x2L. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124866.msg1316201#new

[zuluwarrior0760]

I have a Classic 3 with a Lyra Kleos.

I would tend to think that at around 800 or so,
the Dynavector with that table need not be
a "first step" cartridge to be upgraded later........

From what I've heard out of that Cartridge
and VPI tables in general, I would tend to
think it could be your forever cartridge......

All of my experience has been with the 10.5i
arms, you might ask VPI if the gimbal changes
anything regarding their cartridge recommendation
in that price range, but I don't really see why it would....

I would try the cablecompany for a decent discount,
or maybe try some independent smaller dealers like
Galen Carol as someone mentioned to try to get
as much of a discount as you can..........I don't pay
retail for ANYTHING......and getting a decent percentage
off gives you more flexibility in selling it with low hours
and changing horses if you're not happy shortly after
getting it........

[loving_it]

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/zephyr.html

I have this with my Classic 2 and I'm happy

[isaacrivera]

Just FYI and FWIW,  this reviewer / listener went gaga over the Dyna 20x2L. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124866.msg1316201#new

Thanks Sunnydaze. Well, he is not ambiguous about it. He loved it. I am glad I chose this cartridge. Can't wait.

[isaacrivera]

http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/zephyr.html

I have this with my Classic 2 and I'm happy

Hey Loving_it, thanks for the suggestion. The Zephyr II does look like something to try in the future. But I wonder if I would not just spend the little extra and get the Lyra Delos instead. I wonder how the two compare.

[isaacrivera]

Thanks Zuluwarrior0760. All the expert opinions in this thread helped me made up my mind. I feel pretty confident I won't go wrong with the Dynavector.

Isaac

I have a Classic 3 with a Lyra Kleos.

I would tend to think that at around 800 or so,
the Dynavector with that table need not be
a "first step" cartridge to be upgraded later........

From what I've heard out of that Cartridge
and VPI tables in general, I would tend to
think it could be your forever cartridge......

All of my experience has been with the 10.5i
arms, you might ask VPI if the gimbal changes
anything regarding their cartridge recommendation
in that price range, but I don't really see why it would....

I would try the cablecompany for a decent discount,
or maybe try some independent smaller dealers like
Galen Carol as someone mentioned to try to get
as much of a discount as you can..........I don't pay
retail for ANYTHING......and getting a decent percentage
off gives you more flexibility in selling it with low hours
and changing horses if you're not happy shortly after
getting it........