I can speak from experience to one aspect of you post, having gone from a 20XH to a 20XM (1mv) Dynavector on my Scout some time ago. Sonically, the two cartridges are very, very similar. The XM may be a bit quicker and more detailed. The XM also comes with threaded screw holes that obviate the need for nuts on the underside of the cartridge, which makes installation a bit easier--particularly for a new vinyl adherent. Personally, I would not buy a separate phonostage JUST to go from the XH to the XM. I would, however, consider a separate phonostage to allow the use of a LOMC cartridge--one that will outperform either Dyna on your table. Though I have no experience with you MF integrated, I have heard the phonostage in the A5 and, while decent, can certainly be bettered by a good quality outboard unit. One thing you might consider is selling the MF, purchasing a very good quality integrated without phono on the used market for less than you sold the MF for and combining the proceeds with your $5-8 hundred dollars to purchase a good quality used dedicated phonostage. Though I have not heard the Classic, word on the street suggests it is a very good quality table and, it seems to me that the phonostage in your MF integrated will in fact become the limiting factor in your system. BTW, you could also raise additional funds by spending less on the cartridge--for example, the ATOC9MLII I'm using in my Scout is, IMHO, far superior to either Dyna you are looking at and can be had new or nearly new for $200-250. This would free up still more dollars for your phonostage and leave you with a fine turntable, good quality outboard phonostage and good quality integrated for about what you are planning to spend. It is really about finding the right balance and synergy in your system and connecting a VPI Classic/Dyna MC to your MF will probably provide suboptimal performance from your vinyl source. Just my two cents.
Phono Input or new Phono preamp?
Some of you may have been following my recent post regarding my foray into Analog. After much consideration and loads of helpful advice, I have decided to purchase my first Turntable setup.
The turntable is going to be a VPI Classic I and I am seriously considering the Dynavector 20XH Cartridge. My current Amp/Pre is a Musical Fidelity KW-500 Integrated and a pair of Focal/JMLab 1027be speakers.
The Phono input on the KW-500 is MM (2.5mV - can't seem to find the gain figure published anywhere). From what people have advised so far, this input should be able to handle either a MM or a MCHO cartridge. With the Dynavector 20XH rated at 2.8mV, it seems like a good match but again, I'm completely new to this.
Because the KW-500 was such a limited production piece (500 units), there is very little mention of it's performance as a phono preamp anywhere else on the net. My concern is that I don't want my existing phono input on the KW to be the weakest link in the analog chain right out of the gate. If this is the case, I'd really like to consider the possibility of a dedicated Phono preamp.
I'm looking for opinions on whether you all think I could get a better preamp for somewhere in the $500-$800 range than what I can currently get out of my KW-500 phono input. If I WAS to go with a dedicated phono pre, I would likely also then have the option of going with a MCLO cartridge (ie. Dynavector 20X 1mv Special). Does the 20x 1mV tend to fare more favorably than the 20XH (2.8mV)? In what ways does it's sound vary (for anyone with first hand knowledge of the two)?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
-gh0st
The turntable is going to be a VPI Classic I and I am seriously considering the Dynavector 20XH Cartridge. My current Amp/Pre is a Musical Fidelity KW-500 Integrated and a pair of Focal/JMLab 1027be speakers.
The Phono input on the KW-500 is MM (2.5mV - can't seem to find the gain figure published anywhere). From what people have advised so far, this input should be able to handle either a MM or a MCHO cartridge. With the Dynavector 20XH rated at 2.8mV, it seems like a good match but again, I'm completely new to this.
Because the KW-500 was such a limited production piece (500 units), there is very little mention of it's performance as a phono preamp anywhere else on the net. My concern is that I don't want my existing phono input on the KW to be the weakest link in the analog chain right out of the gate. If this is the case, I'd really like to consider the possibility of a dedicated Phono preamp.
I'm looking for opinions on whether you all think I could get a better preamp for somewhere in the $500-$800 range than what I can currently get out of my KW-500 phono input. If I WAS to go with a dedicated phono pre, I would likely also then have the option of going with a MCLO cartridge (ie. Dynavector 20X 1mv Special). Does the 20x 1mV tend to fare more favorably than the 20XH (2.8mV)? In what ways does it's sound vary (for anyone with first hand knowledge of the two)?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
-gh0st