[Gopher]

I got a Koetsu Rosewood Signature in a package deal a few months ago and while its a very beautiful sound, I think things are a little too laid back for me with my already laid-back Well Tempered Classic.  The cartridge was used by its prior owner for about a year before he passed away (I purchased his analog setup from his widow) and its in great condition with tons of life left.  I just think I want something a little PRaTier.

I once owned a Dynavector 20xL which was extremely fun and exciting to listen to and I think that is the type of sound I miss.  Does anyone have a higher end Dyna that would be interested in trading?  I use an Eastern Electric Minimax phonostage and understand the Karats to be a POOR match.  Perhaps something else that might be interested?

I live on Long Island and prefer a local or semi-local.

[toobluvr]

Why would the Karat not be a good match with your Minimax phono stage?  You mean sonically or some sort of spec mismatch?  Not enough output?

In the past 18 months, I have used my Dyna 20X-H with four different MM phono sections and with three different arms and on two different tables.  It is great with every combo I have tried.....and I think I've tried them all!   
    

So in my experience, if the gain and loading is right, the Dyna seems to be fairly versatile cartridge...at least the 20X is.

[Gopher]

The problem is the loading I believe.  I had actually discussed the possibility of moving from the 20xL I loved to a Karat with the US Eastern Electric distributor (Bill O'Connell) and this is an excerpt from his email:

"I don't think I would use the Karat as one of my customers used that cartridge and was happier with his Dyna-Vector 20xL.  We even modded his phono for his Karat and although I haven't heard from him, I think I would have if he was happy, so with that in mind I don't recommend the Karat."

[BobM]

Now I havn't heard the Karat, but I did own an XX-1 for a while (predecessor to the newer XX-2) and still have a 20X-H as my spare. As you go up in the Dynavector line you retain the same house sound and the nuances and textures and detail retrieval just get better and better. But the 20X has a dynamic to it that is very addicting. But I'm not sure it is a flat cartridge. to my ears it has almost a loudness control effect to it, emphasizing the top and bottom and being just a tad hard sounding at times. Still a great cartridge overall.

I think you may need to go higher in the line to get that dynamic back and still retain all the nuance and texture of these better cartridges. My XX-1 just didn't have it, although I've been told that the XX-2 does.

[earwig]

Ive heard it years ago it has a very sweet warm sound character,remindes me of tubes.It may need more gain .I have an very old ortofon MC-30 ,its gain was like .08mv and a regular moving coil has .25mv The Ortofon needed lots of gain,and my headamp couldnt do it well so it sounded rather liad back and i had to crank my volume way up.So check its output.

[AudioSoul]

   The Koetsu carts are known for being layed back. I was once interested in buying a Black but I read so many comments on how layed back it was. So I forgot about it. The Well Tempered TT is known for being layed back also. So I can imagine them together sounding kind of bland . The are a lot of people that LOVE the Koetsu sound, so you should'nt have trouble selling it.
Good Luck.....

[Gopher]

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, I know it still has a high used value, but deep down I'm hoping I can find someone local so we could meet up and maybe try both carts in both systems--make sure its what we both are after and part ways happy.  May be wishful thinking though.

The Koetsu/WTC combo is capable of sounding very beautiful and it does an amazing jobs with vocals, jazz, accoustics, etc., but it doesn't really 'rock'. 

I'm talking with a gentleman in TX who has a Dynavector XX-2 mkII right now and is interested in swapping--this is a possibility for me.  Right now I'm trying to read up on it more and see if it would be a good match for my system.

[Gopher]

UPDATE:

Well, I changed something, but it isn't the cartridge.  I picked up a Well Tempered Reference to replace my old school, square motor classic and am pretty impressed by this machine.  I haven't setup my Koetsu on it, but even listening with the cheap Audio Technica 440ml that came with it, I'm impressed.  I'm still trying to gather thoughts/recommendations for other cartridges but I need to give the Koetsu a fair shot on this deck before taking any action.

I wish I were better with setup, but I'll probably keep spinning the AT cart until my buddy who is a WT wiz can help me mount my Koetsu.

[woodsyi]

Gopher,

I have a phono stage (Art Audio Vinyl One with Tele tubes) that I know works really well with Rosewood Sig.  PM me if you want to borrow it.  I am going up to Connecticut on the the 13th and we may be able to rendezvous somewhere in route.

[Gopher]

Thats an extremely generous offer which I appreciate greatly, but I think I am more inclined to change cartridges to find what I am looking for than begin experimenting with other phonostages. 

Just the same, you are an asset to the board!  Thanks!

[woodsyi]

Thanks for the complement.  There is some kind of exceptional synergy with the Art Audio Vinyl One and Rosewood Sig (old Sugano San) cart.  Whatever cart you get, make sure you get the right compliance to match your arm. 

Larry (lcrim) has EE minimax with Ruby 3H.   You may want to ask him what he thinks of the Benz Micro cart with the Minimax phono stage if your arm is compatible with Rubies.