Upgrading the Dynavector DV-20X Low MC Cartridge

The XX-2 is truly a great cartridge and I don't think you could go wrong that way.

As for the Lyra, I haven't heard them myself but frinds of mine own them and say that you need to go up in the line a bit before you get a truly balanced presentation. The lower ended models tend to sound a bit top heavy. I am not sure where in the line that change begins, but when it does their cartridges are truly superb.

Maybe others who own them can chime in.

Lyra Delos will let you hear lots you've never heard before out of your records. Lyras are probably the most precise cartridges ever made.

Second the recommendation for the Lyra Delos

I went from a DV20XH to a Lyra Delos - haven't looked back once.

I sell both Lyra and Dynavector.

IMO ptmconsulting's comment about the lower end models sounding top heavy is simply lack of experience with them.

The performance of any cartridge is ultimately defined by the associated components i.e turntable, tonearm, and phono preamp.

Without question there are good and bad combinations for every cartridge but I would never categorize Lyra cartridges as he did.

The XX2 and Delos make for a very interesting listening comparison btw.

IMO/YMMV

Dealer disclosure

Audiofeil,

Would either the Sutherland 20/20 or Parasound JC 3 phono pre-amp be a good match for the Dynavector XX-2 MKII and Lyra Delos?

Never heard the Sutherland only the JC-3 (dealer disclosure).

Keep in mind there are only 2 loading options (47K and 100 ohms) for moving coils with the JC-3.

Personally I prefer to load moving coils at 47K whenever possible.

Ideal loading is a function of the cartridge's inductance and tonearm cable's capacitance.