Tell me about the Dynavector 17d3

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by ghost rider, Mar 25, 2015.

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  1. ghost rider

    ghost rider Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bentonville AR
    I was talking to a salesman today mostly about the XX2 but something he said about the 17D3 made me think I should look more at it. He said it had more detail coming from a AT-OC9ML/II it may be more to what I'm used to.
     
  2. TommyTunes

    TommyTunes Senior Member

    I had one, it's a very detail oriented cartridge, it is slightly lean sounding and more to the analytical side. I would say it closer to the early style of Lyra cartridges than the Dynavector sound. I personally liked it but i favor that sound.
    If you liked the OC9 you will love it.
    Speaking dog to dog
     
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  3. ghost rider

    ghost rider Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bentonville AR
    Thanks that's more or less what I was thinking. The thing is the OC9 is the only good cartridge I have ever heard. I may prefer the Dynavector sound, like the XX2. The 17D3 is more in my budget.
     
  4. MMM

    MMM Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Lodi, New Jersey
    Yeah, a bit "cool" sounding, though neutral. Picking the right phono stage likely should balance out any coolness. Very nice cartridge, via excellent transfers I've heard made through one. I remember hearing of someone having issues with its very short cantilever - with warps, IIRC?
     
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  5. ghost rider

    ghost rider Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bentonville AR
    I'll be using the McIntosh 2500c. Not changing that ,this year anyhow. Interesting about the cantilever but I have vinylflat records don't stay warped for long.
     
  6. KT88

    KT88 Senior Member

    I have the 17D3 and it is just dead neutral. Excellent detail and frequency response, plus great tracking. Not bright or thin but not fat or lush, it can be loaded to sound a bit bright or a bit dark if that's what you want to do. As good as the Karat is, the XX2 is way better at everything; that's a serious cartridge.
    -Bill
     
  7. audioguy3107

    audioguy3107 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Atlanta, Georgia
    When I was choosing between the 17D3 and the XX mkII, my dealer had similar feedback about the 17D3 being on the cool side of neutral while the XX2 had the better balance between detail and warmth. I wanted to stay away from any possibility of a brighter sound, so I ended up with the XX2. Thing sounds awesome, especially after about 100hrs. Of break in.

    - Buck
     
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  8. Jtycho

    Jtycho Forum Resident

    Location:
    PA
    Is this definitely the case? I'm considering both of these cartridges at the moment, and I definitely prefer speed and liveliness to warmth, but I guess if the XX2 can give you both it might be worth the extra $$$.
     
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  9. KT88

    KT88 Senior Member

    It's totally worth it if it is within your reach. It has greater dynamics and an overall more full and natural sound. Both are very neutral in terms of having a flat response, but the XX2 has more body in the mid bass and its separation and dynamics are amazing. You might hear the Karat as having a very exact and matter-of-fact sound, not embellishing but revealing, where the XX2 has that as well but includes more of a "you are there" presence to it. I would say that the XX2 is warmer in that regard but it doesn't lose any resolution and has greater dynamics, so it's not a lateral move at all. I simply cannot afford one!
    -Bill
     
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  10. Upinsmoke

    Upinsmoke Well-Known Member

    Location:
    SE PA
    Sent you a PM ghost.

    I have a XX-2 on my Classic and it's without a doubt an amazing cartridge. Completely blew away the Soundsmith I had for realism in the music.
     
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  11. chrism1971

    chrism1971 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Glos, UK
    There was a useful group test in HiFi Choice (I think) recently which rated the 17d3 pretty highly but the Ortofon Cadenza Red as quite a bit better all round. In the UK they're about the same price.

    People match the D3 with Regas but this is quite a lean sound IMHO.
     
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  12. Raylinds

    Raylinds Resident Lake Surfer

    Well you guys probably appreciate the high frequencies more than us humans.:p
     
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  13. raferx

    raferx Forum Resident

    Location:
    Vancouver, Canada
    Before I went Denon/Auditorium 23 and I was considering upgrades to my DV20x2L, I inquired with a few local dealers about the 17D3 and the XX2. The response was always the same: If you can afford the XX2, get it.
     
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  14. Upinsmoke

    Upinsmoke Well-Known Member

    Location:
    SE PA
    I put quite a few hours in using a 20x2l and xx2. I have a xx2 on my table now. Till I heard it myself I never knew what a good cartridge the XX2 was.

    Most of the sound in the system comes from the cart and speakers. I found the table made just a small difference compared to the cart. I really feel if I never got rid of my technics 1210 and put a xx2 on it I never would have wasted my money on a VPI table. Well waste is a strong word to use, more like it wasn't worth the "slight" improvement offered from it.

    Put your money into the cart.
     
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  15. dconsmack

    dconsmack Senior Member

    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV USA
    I have a 17D3. I love it. The tracking is impeccable, and it's tonal accuracy is amazing. It likes a higher mass arm, and requires more than typical anti skating due to the short cantilever.
     
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  16. kfringe

    kfringe Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Oregon Coast
    Yup. That's what I did after wearing out my 17d3. The XX2 is better in almost every way.

    The 17d3 actually does seem to have the better treble reproduction -- and it is incredibly even handed -- but the XX2 is the more lively and musical package. Sometimes, though, I still miss that 17d3 treble. It's just special. I don't know another cart in its price range that comes close.

    On the other hand, it's nice to have some real slam on the bottom end.
     
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  17. ghost rider

    ghost rider Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bentonville AR
    I ordered the XX2 today.:D
     
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  18. ghost rider

    ghost rider Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bentonville AR
    Thanks for all the comments. This is a big jump. Two years ago I would have never even considered a $2000 cartridge or even a turntable costing that much. Had it not been for the considerably lower price of $1300 for the Scout LE I may still have only my old Project debut with aV15. This really opened the door for me.
     
  19. kfringe

    kfringe Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Oregon Coast
    It's only half the jump. Wait until you go to mount it.

    I remember the first time I mounted a cart that cost more than a new fridge. I'm not sure my sphincter has unclenched yet. I had to keep putting it down until the shakes went away, all the while swearing at myself for being the kind of idiot who'd spend money on something that fragile. I was convinced that I'd break everything and never be able to afford to play a record again.

    These days, I just remember to have a cocktail or two first, I don't think about the cost, and I only swear at myself after I've finished. I do, however, tend to mutter about how much I miss p-mounts.
     
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  20. KT88

    KT88 Senior Member

    LOL ! That's how I feel when working with a $1k cartridge. Mine cost as much as my table.

    Imagine then installing a Te Kaitora Rua on a table and that you couldn't afford the cartridge or the tonearm that it was being mounted to! And being in the customer's house, so cursing was not on the table. ;)
    -Bill
     
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  21. avanti1960

    avanti1960 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago metro, USA
    awesome! can't wait to her your impressions!

    are you hearing anything about "break in" time? i actually logged the hours on my DV20 and it sounded great after the first install and revealed a sweeter smoothness after 70 hours.
     
  22. Upinsmoke

    Upinsmoke Well-Known Member

    Location:
    SE PA
    The soundsmith screws make it a piece of cake
     
  23. Upinsmoke

    Upinsmoke Well-Known Member

    Location:
    SE PA
    Its one of those cartridges that sounds really good brand new. No getting used to it or having to wait to know what its like
     
  24. ghost rider

    ghost rider Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bentonville AR
    Yea I got the shakes just thinking about it. One good thing about the JMW arms you can set it up in a comfortable position. I'm glad I had a couple of practice runs with the AT-OC9.
     
  25. ghost rider

    ghost rider Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Bentonville AR
    You guys got me thinkking so I wipped this up it is very stable.

    [​IMG]
    upload pic
     
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