Dear Jake,
Are you really asking for advice or...what?
They told you ....
1). 2m Black > 20X2 < 2m Bronze
So, no need to wondering any more : Dynavector is not any better !
2). 2m Black equal to 2m Bronze
So, after a week with Bronze, not much of an upgrade by going to Black.
3). 2m Black compatibility issues with your tonearm ?
4). 2m Black compatibility issues with your preamp ?
............ and you still want one of these carts...?
Cartridge of reference quality (million light years) above these two and with the right output for your Cary, is the JVC/SAS but requires a very careful set-up by an experienced user and also, a very careful handling in use. If you pull the trigger, you will never compromise with this one as it stands at the very top of MM's. You will never upgrade over this one!
We were suggesting your money better spend for A REAL UPGRADE :
" Incognito wiring and an Expressimo weight "
"Physic Harmonic Power & Speaker Cables"
You said you are "amazed by the performance" ...
Well, .... you ain't seen nothing yet!
Best of Luck
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If VTA is of concern you could get an adjuster ring from Origin Live for your arm. If your VTA is close to parallel you, arguably, won't be damaging your records. Maybe others could chime in on that issue. I would think the VTA would have to be high or low with some significant error to cause damage. If it's high, the stylus would be physically digging down too hard in a forward manner into the groove.
I'm very happy with both cartridges and feel they offer a great deal of value for the money. |
I was leaning nore to they dynavector over the 2m black because I have never had or tried a mc before. The music I listen to is jazz to Stevie ray and 80's classic rock,and getting more into modern rap and hiphop/pop and a lot of techno music with lots of bass. So all generes and a good solection of used records. My real concern for the 2M black. I had a dealer tell me that the shabata styleless could Wreck my records because of no propper VTA on the rp8 is that true? |
I have both carts too. That is a hard choice indeed. I cannot sway you to one or the other.
I would, however, say if listen to more acoustic music, folk, blues, and smaller jazz groups I'd go with the Dynavector 20XH. The Ortofon 2M Black is fantastic though. It's really great just giving you a macro view--a comprehensive picture. It can really rock. The 2M's weakenss, if any at the price point, would be micro details; it does not unearth as much detail as the Dynavector--at least in my system. All of that said, you cannot go wrong with either cart.
Both of these cartridges did something similar for me--they opened my eyes to how vinyl can really best digital. They made me more curious about other cartridges more than any other piece of gear has--save for me moving up to a really decent phono preamp. |
I have both carts and can tell you I prefer the 2M Black. The 20x2 is very balanced and detailed but the 2M Black is more dynamic and involving as well as detailed. I also have the 2M Bronze and like it better than the Dynavector.
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sbank.....Mine didn’t cost anywhere near that price...(I think I paid 2....) If that’s too much go for a black.. The upgrade is significant with either of my suggestions. The Expressimo weight is a significant upgrade as is the wiring. I've heard both of the Ortofons in an RP8 with nothing to find wanting ....every cartridge must be set up properly with enough gain et al in the head amp.
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I would go with the Ortofon 2m Black
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I was using the Ortofon 2m Black which was a good sounding cart and then switched to a Benz Micro Wood. Took my system to a whole new level. Sound stage opened incredibly, bass was taken to a new level.
Cant say enough good things about the Benz |
You might want to just replace the head on your 2m bronze, if you go black. Should save you some money. I'm actually pretty happy with my 2m bronze. Good luck |
Jakecanada
I won't recommend one cartridge over another,
but I will say that 2 things that I've done with my RB300 tonearm
are the Incognito wiring and an Expressimo weight
( there are several choices for weights )
made large improvments .
The weight seemed to bring out more bass
and the wiring improved everything.
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I have been on vinyl engine and people have had better success with the 20x2 with rega then ortofon 2m black. Also my preamp owners manual said the cary slp-98 has enough gain for cartridges low as 1.4mv. Also with the 2m bronze I have to turn the gain knobs half way down because of high output. I was just really wondering is the 20x2 high output version a bit better with bass response and clarity then the black and bronze, thats all I'm looking for I don't want to spend any more change then what these 2 cartridges are. Or on a step up transformer or new phono preamp. |
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A Soundsmith Zephyr III cartridge will play very nicely with the Rega arm. |
Check out Vinylengine and use their database, cartridge compatability with your tonearm is important and much more complicated than just your budget. https://www.vinylengine.com |
I had a Dyna 20X-H on a Rega P7 (RB700 arm?) table and the combination was a great match. My then dealer suggested the cartridge when I asked his opinion. |
The low output Dyna 20xl is a much better sounding cartridge than the HO version. Trying to get more output from a MC cartridge is a design compromise which "typically" translates into lesser performance. I am not saying the HO Dyna is a poor sounding cartridge, but it is not the same league as the LO version. BTW, the 2M Bronze and Black have almost twice the output when compared to the Dyna, therefore, as the previous poster mentioned, make sure the Dyna is an electrical match.
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I have a ortofon 2 m bronze on it right now and only need the gain nobs half way turned up. So the preamp should have more then enough gain for 2.8mv, plus I have it hooked to a cary cad120s power amp which is an awesome match. I have always owned moving Magnet but never a moving coil. From what my rega dealer told me, In that case I should try the dynavector 20x2. And go for the high output version then I don't need to put more money into a new transformer. The only thing about the 20x2H is its exactly very much the same as the low output version. Though theres a little more zip on the higher top end. But that should be buffered out because of the tubes. And hearing a lot of success with rega and dynavector in the past. |
For MM, perhaps one of the Nagaoka's may also be a nice choice. Assuming a HO will work, you might consider one of the Hana HO carts.
But I suggest calling a Rega dealer who carries a few of these, because the arm and cartridge synergy is so important. I only have direct experience with the 20X-L, and it's a very even handed cartridge that does nothing wrong. You could easily do a lot worse. No direct experience with the 20X-H though.
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Depending on the output sensitivity of your amplifier, the Dyna’s output coupled with the SLP98’s 43db gain may not be enough to drive your amp to full power. The 2M Black may be a better match
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@stringreen What's the point of suggesting a $4100 cartridge to someone comparing two that cost $700 & $1000?
OP, I would suggest when reading about the Dyna to be sure the comments are about the high output version since that isn't always explained clearly. Cheers,
Spencer |
rega rp8 became mega...
much stronger name indeed! |
How about Ortofon Winfield
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Neither.
Audio Technica AT-150MLX.
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