Dynavector XX-2 MkII vs. Shelter 5000

I have had Dynavectors 10x5, 20XL, 17Dmk2 and now XX-2 mk 2. I also owned the Shelter 90x. The Shelter was the best. All these carts are good, but I think the real wow factor starts at the 17D, it has the best treble I've heard, better than any of them, so good that it makes it sound to light in the bass. The XX-2 is more well rounded and quieter, but maybe not quite as thrilling. The 90x is hard to describe, it didn't do anything that stuck out but music was just more magical to listen to through it. I have some recordings that I made with it and it is easy to tell that it is better even by listening to the CDRs I made from it. I've never listened to the lower Shelters but I would doubt they are anything like the 90x. The 90x did not seem as good in regards to surface noise however, the XX-2 is better in that regard.

If I were you I'd go for either the 17D or XX-2, unless you are willing to jump up to a 90x or 9000.

Dear Mrmatt: Kuzma recomends Shelter because the Kuzma cartridges ( when Kuzma was on cartridges sale, I don't know if they still do it. ) were made by Shelter.

Now and looking to your system IMHO your peamp is a lot better with a MM cartridges than with LOMC ones.

There are some MM cartridges that IMHO not only compete with some of the MC name it here but that even outperform it.
If I was you my " road " will be through MM alternative.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Thanks all,
sorry for delay in response. I keep upping the ante, ZYX atmos is selling for 2500 and sometimes a lightly used Xvs-1 is in the same range. I dont know anything about ZYX or any of the higher end carts. Are these comparable? Why are ZYX being sold at closeout prices? Thanks again for the patience. I am trying to learn as much as possible, and I find out the more I learn the less I think I know. If that make sense.

I believe the Atmos and Universe are discontinued. Please do not quote me here, as this was on a dealers website and may not be accurate. I heard this only from that source.

fwiw, a friend has the XV1s and ZYX Universe, both are great and I could live with either forever, but I think the ZYX is more dynamic and extracts slightly more from the grooves.