2. analog
  3. 1376957142

Soundsmith VPI Zephyr vs. Dynavector 17D3??

I recently picked up a Zephyr for my VPI Traveler and while I do love it, its just not the sound im looking for. On my system, it sounds too analytical and just doesn't have that liveliness my 10x5 seemed to give me. Don't get me wrong, the Zephyr is a FAR better sounding cart than the 10x5 in nearly every area, but it just lacks that toe-tapping momentum (if that even makes sense)...

I wanted to get an opinion on how the Zephyr fairs when compared to a 17D3. My phono stage is an RSA F-117. I love the Dynavector sound and im beginning to think the 17D3 might be comparable in resolution to the Zephyr, but adding that liveliness im looking for.

Finally, i've also been thinking about the Dynavector XX2. Any thoughts on this as well?
telepop

Showing 5 responses by telepop

telepop OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for the responses guys.

For a while I thought it was a break in issue, but its been a good 50 hours or so. Granted that may be on the low end for a solid break in so ill give it another 20-30 hours to settle.

Im not new to this, but I haven't had a cart take this long to really shine. If you've used a Zephyr, how long did it take to sound its best?
telepop OP
5 posts
 
Thanks Dopogue,

I was wondering too about a possible mismatch. I mounted the cart back on my arm and spent a lot of time trying to get it just right. The sound is already a little better, but its still missing that wow factor. Maybe its just the way they sound on my speakers (the weakest link right now). Im running Dynaudio BM5AmkII monitors.

Anyway, sounds like I just need to experiment some more or just sell it and move onto something else. Thanks again for everyones help.
telepop OP
5 posts
 
Thanks again for everyone's responses.

I've had the Zephyr at 47k ohms the whole time and plan on leaving it there. No other option sounds good.

The second lowest gain sounds the best as it brings out far more excitement in the high end than the lowest option. Unfortunately, this also brings out a light rumble from the motor, only heard during dead silences.

I am still rather new to matching cartridges with the appropriate tonearms. It may be true what Rauliruegas says -- perhaps the Zephyr just isn't a perfect match for my gimbal arm on the Traveler.

Would somebody mind recommending a good resource for learning more about matching carts w/ tonearms -- I just don't know enough about what compliance works best or really anything about resonant frequencies. I also don't fully understand why a unipivot is any better than something like my gimbal arm. When I try to research, I find just way too many opinions out there - is there any more authoritative resource I can use?
telepop OP
5 posts
 
To add a little more to my setup:

Im running the Zephyr with a VTF of 2.1g and that seems to sound the best. I also have the tonearm tail slightly down. Ive played with the VTA a lot and it really sounds a lot better when the tonearm just slightly less than even with the table.

I never had the low rider problem -- I did have that with my 10x5. Regardless, it never affected the sound.
telepop OP
5 posts
 
And for good measure, here is the setup (sans the speakers)

http://imgur.com/8jWE2N7
More to discover