Almost Time to Replace My DV-20xl

Just make sure the cart/arm "synergy" is such that it tracks well, and/or the cart is not only musical, but a good "high-velocity" tracker. I owned both the Dyna 20xl and xx 2 and neither tracked very well with the JMW arm. Admittedly, I was enamored of the xx2 because it offered marginally better "fleshing-out" of the final 1/3 of rec's, but it often times there was either gross mistracking which caused "buzz" or high-velocity mistracking which caused vocals and choral music to "whiten."

If you can bring these records to a dealer, I wouldn't part with any money until you can hear for yourself: For gross mis-tracking, try the last mov't of Beethoven's "Spring Sonata" (Ashkenazy/Perlman/London Records). The piano should remain full and stable. For high-velocity mistracking try the Karajan/Freni/Pavoratti "La Boheme" end of side 1, at the climax of Freni's "big" aria. The sound should not thin. These are two easily acquired Lp's. Other "real world" torture tracks would include the "Missa Brevis" from Britten/Willcock's/Argo "Rejoice in the Lamb," the final ascending "whistle" from Varese' "Poem Electronique"/Columbia. I could go on....

My dealer tried a couple of different alignments and I tried different pressings but no luck until I moved to a "cheap" Audio Technica 130E. Even if you still spring for the $$$ carts, I can tell you from experience, it will be eye-opening.

Inna: really? I'm thinking a forgiving, mega-tracking cheap cart transcends turntable quality, with some minimum standards of course.

Chahas1: I'm sorry, but I slaved for two years trying to get the Dyna xx 2 to track with VPI arm. If 70% success is good enough for you, fine. My dealer (of 30 years' experience ) tried multiple alignments, none of which worked. I gave you specific tracks and lps ...why not try them before spouting? Does the audio technical 130e track better? Yes. And it's "musical" as one could ever want.

Bottom line is...without good tracking ability, how can one even think about musicality when one knows there's a train wreck coming. Moreover, the AT is indeed "musical," and though not as dynamic or "sparkling" as the xx2, to say it's a great tracker above all else is damning with feint praise. BTW, as I enjoy my 20th year playing in the local orchestra, I'll "get my ears out there more." : )

BTW, that would be...*faint* praise. D'oh!

My suggesting attention to "cart/arm synergy " is very biased? How so? Then reporting my experience based only upon equipment about which I'm intimately familiar? Big red flag there! : )
"Way past this point...." I thought I was too, $$-wise, but bottom line: the Dyna 20xl and JMW arm have high velocity tracking issues which cause thinning of sound as needle progresses. Upgrading to Xx2 relieved thinning but introduced gross, buzzing. mistracking on more than a few choral, piano Lps. If we were talking the subjectivity of "PRAT" I could understand your raised eyebrow but nothing could be more objectively reported than mistracking
The performance of the AT was nothing short of shocking after 3 years of tracking misery. But not the end-all.

Just one last word about proper set up. My dealer came to house twice. We tried 3 of standard alignment preferences with no luck. He's been in the business for 30 years, (owns top Basis TT FWIW)
The moral I humbly offer is that perhaps one should start at the (quality ) bottom in order to witness the presence of good all around *fundamental* performance (what some people call "forgiving"sound), and thus demand said fundamentals in mega $$ cart/arm/TT when finally pining for more rarified "sparkle, " "sweet mids" etc. It also allows for more time to get familiar with a wider variety of records before auditioning the more expense stuff.

Hmmm..a Yugo? A preferable metaphor: one may also start off buying a beautiful expensive house...built upon sand.

You are right, Chashas1: ignorance is bliss and I'm more blissful listening to music right now than in a long time. Let me enjoy it until an issue arises and the upgrade bug appears again.

Oh! I thought of a better cautionary metaphor: Those who are "way past" Yugos...sometimes buy Range Rovers. ; )

Stickman451:

My Dealer has the XV-1 (on his top o' line Basis), Vandersteen 5a sigs (I have the 3a sigs), and I can report it handled many of my "problem" records--which I trotted over--with ease...as it better for $5K.

Chashas1: thanks, I may be interested in a "prettier" TT and more "sophisticated" cart one day and obviously I need all the kindly help I can get. I could easily throw a $10K combo on a CC today; but I just don't feel the need at the moment. I love my Yugo and I implore anyone to at least try one in order to keep Ranger Rover builders (and street pavers) on their toes. Yes, I admit, the triangle decay in Stravinsky's Petrushka is only 12 seconds, as opposed to the 13.5 seconds reproduced by $3K carts... : )

Audiofeil: I've read so much about VPI arm problems; I admit I've been hiding behind the word, "synergy."