Thanks to everyone for the great responses. A few people have asked "why change from the Dyna XX-2?" Simple curiosity, mainly, as I've had the Dyna cartridges for a long time and I'm interested in what else is out there + I've heard and liked (but can't afford) the top Dyna cartridges (XV-1S and Te Kaitora Rua).
But I've also had the XX-2 installed for 4 years. It still works fine, but I'm wondering if it's ready for a re-build. The cart gets played every day for about 90 minutes. I'm estimating that I've got perhaps 2000 hours on the XX-2 right now. Honestly, it's hard to know whether the cartridge has lost a step in quality when one hears it every day and the changes are bound to be quite gradual. I'm thinking it might be time for a Soundsmith rebuild (good suggestion, Dan!) and switching to something new and interesting, cartridge-wise, that doesn't cost 5K.
I really appreciate all the advice about the AT ART 9. This sounds really interesting, and the price is obviously excellent given all the praise I'm hearing from the discussion threads. I'd been leaning toward Lyra, based on various reviews, but the AT ART 9 idea really brings the price down substantially from what I'd expected to be paying for the quality I'm looking for.
HW: thank you for the honest advice. I say this as a long-time VPI customer and admirer of your company. It's hard to believe that the 3D arm brings things to a much higher level than the Classic 10.5i I'm now using (which was an upgrade from the original JMW 9 arm on my Aries). But you would know, if anyone does! I'll keep a lookout for deals on a 3D upgrade. Maybe just a replacement 3D arm wand is the right idea?
Something no one has mentioned: possible MC phono stage upgrade. I take it the consensus is to hold steady with the McIntosh C2300 MC tube phono stage when using something like the AT ART 9?
But I've also had the XX-2 installed for 4 years. It still works fine, but I'm wondering if it's ready for a re-build. The cart gets played every day for about 90 minutes. I'm estimating that I've got perhaps 2000 hours on the XX-2 right now. Honestly, it's hard to know whether the cartridge has lost a step in quality when one hears it every day and the changes are bound to be quite gradual. I'm thinking it might be time for a Soundsmith rebuild (good suggestion, Dan!) and switching to something new and interesting, cartridge-wise, that doesn't cost 5K.
I really appreciate all the advice about the AT ART 9. This sounds really interesting, and the price is obviously excellent given all the praise I'm hearing from the discussion threads. I'd been leaning toward Lyra, based on various reviews, but the AT ART 9 idea really brings the price down substantially from what I'd expected to be paying for the quality I'm looking for.
HW: thank you for the honest advice. I say this as a long-time VPI customer and admirer of your company. It's hard to believe that the 3D arm brings things to a much higher level than the Classic 10.5i I'm now using (which was an upgrade from the original JMW 9 arm on my Aries). But you would know, if anyone does! I'll keep a lookout for deals on a 3D upgrade. Maybe just a replacement 3D arm wand is the right idea?
Something no one has mentioned: possible MC phono stage upgrade. I take it the consensus is to hold steady with the McIntosh C2300 MC tube phono stage when using something like the AT ART 9?