Linn Forums

Yorkie · 2012-04-25, 00:26

Greetings

I'm wondering which combination to go for and would appreciate any thoughts/experiences from others:

Akiva/Urika cost ~£4-5k
Dynavector DVXX2 MkII/P75 Mk II cost ~£1600

Also considering:
DV XX2 MkII/Urika (£3-3.5k) but I'm not sure if they are compatible - settings and all that.

Pricewise its easy and I'm tempted by the sound of the DV XX2, but having the all Linn option appeals as well, even though I find it difficult to justify £2-3k for a cartridge that is going to need replacing in 2-3 years. Is there much difference in sound quality in these three options?

I will of course try and audition these - if I can find a dealer(s) who stock these products

I currently have a LP12/Keel/Radikal-D/Ekos SE

Cheers,

Yorkie

finster · 2012-04-25, 04:46

(2012-04-25 00:26)Yorkie Wrote: Greetings

I'm wondering which combination to go for and would appreciate any thoughts/experiences from others:

Akiva/Urika cost ~£4-5k
Dynavector DVXX2 MkII/P75 Mk II cost ~£1600

Also considering:
DV XX2 MkII/Urika (£3-3.5k) but I'm not sure if they are compatible - settings and all that.

Pricewise its easy and I'm tempted by the sound of the DV XX2, but having the all Linn option appeals as well, even though I find it difficult to justify £2-3k for a cartridge that irs going to need replacing in 2-3 years. Is there much difference in sound quality in these three options?

I will of course try and audition these - if I can find a dealer(s) who stock these products

I currently have a LP12/Keel/Radikal-D/Ekos SE

Cheers,

Would be very surprised if the urika did not easily out perform the p75 (even though i have never heard the dv phono stage). I have a mk I XX2 running through a linto and it sounds great to me - I think a mk2 playing through a urika would be tremendous. Cant say how it compares to akiva which is obviously a class act too.

You should try and get to hear the XX2 if possible. I am sure there are people on the forum who have done just that

Andy

Yorkie

Linnism · 2012-04-25, 07:52

Akiva/Urika, but I've noticed that the more expensive the cartridge is, the less likely people are to renew early enough. If anything, cartridges should be replaced too early, since all that is then lost is some money, rather than some vinyl.

The XX2mk2 is superb value, IMO. I would still be looking at a Linn stage though. Let your ears decide.

Andy · (This post was last modified: 2012-04-25 09:27 by Andy.)

I continue to find a couple of things "worrisome" Wink

:

1. People talk about having to "replace the cartridge" (instead of getting a retip). However, I appreciate that the factory - whichever one it is - may well do more than just replace the stylus, when you send the cartridge back for a retip.

In terms of pricing - mine was (7 or 8 years ago) a $5K cartridge ... so re-tipping at $600, is a great deal! Big Grin

2. People assuming their stylus is going to last 2,000+ hours before needing to be replaced. As Linnism rightly said, "cartridges should be replaced too early, since all that is then lost is some money, rather than some vinyl"! Big Grin

And the only way to figure out how many hours your stylus has been wearing down for ... is to use a "click counter". In my case, after 2,800 sides (about 1,000 hours, in my estimation) it goes in for a retip ... or, in fact, for double the price, this time, it goes in as a trade-in on a Benz LP-S. Smile

Regards,

Andy

Paul · (This post was last modified: 2012-04-25 10:01 by Paul.)

(2012-04-25 00:26)Yorkie Wrote: Greetings

Pricewise its easy and I'm tempted by the sound of the DV XX2, but having the all Linn option appeals as well, even though I find it difficult to justify £2-3k for a cartridge that is going to need replacing in 2-3 years.

Yorkie

You have just found by yourself the right answer.
ATMO, I'm enjoying an excellent cartridge that is priced only €.21 on e.bay. It makes me regret for what I paid for much more expansive ones. I fixed it for a joke-test and I never replaced it...but reading about the gear you own, I have already understood that you'd like to pay a lot of money and my hint will seem you ridiculous.

DerekDunlop · 2012-04-25, 13:48

(2012-04-25 10:00)Paul Wrote: ATMO, I'm enjoying an excellent cartridge that is priced only €.21 on e.bay.

I have already understood that you'd like to pay a lot of money and my hint will seem you ridiculous.

Doesn't sound ridiculous to me, I've heard an AT95 on the end of Audio Origami's PU7 (pre production), can't remember the TT, could have been a Thorens, and my jaw hit the floor. One of the others guys ordered a PU7 straight away, to put on his LP12.

Paul · (This post was last modified: 2012-04-25 14:26 by Paul.)

(2012-04-25 13:48)DerekDunlop Wrote:
(2012-04-25 10:00)Paul Wrote: ATMO, I'm enjoying an excellent cartridge that is priced only €.21 on e.bay.

I have already understood that you'd like to pay a lot of money and my hint will seem you ridiculous.

Doesn't sound ridiculous to me, I've heard an AT95 on the end of Audio Origami's PU7 (pre production), can't remember the TT, could have been a Thorens, and my jaw hit the floor. One of the others guys ordered a PU7 straight away, to put on his LP12.

Dear Derek,
I know J7. I helped him in the design of the AO PU7. Then, I restyled this tonearm following my ideas and getting the parts by cnc machines. For what I know, J7 likes this cheap cartridge. I'm using three AT95E on my favourite TTs. To try one surely is not a big (financial) risk.
BR.,
Paul

linnrd · 2012-04-25, 16:59

(2012-04-25 00:26)Yorkie Wrote: Also considering:
DV XX2 MkII/Urika (£3-3.5k) but I'm not sure if they are compatible - settings and all that.

Is there any particular reason why the Uphorik is off your radar? It allows for adjustable settings and can this be dialled it in to match whatever one chooses to hang off the headshell. I would also recommend looking at the Lyra Delos and the Transfiguration Axia as they play rather well with the Ekos. Also, out of curiosity, has anyone heard the AT95 on an Ekos?

Paul · (This post was last modified: 2012-04-25 21:19 by Paul.)

(2012-04-25 16:59)linnrd Wrote:
(2012-04-25 00:26)Yorkie Wrote: Also considering:
DV XX2 MkII/Urika (£3-3.5k) but I'm not sure if they are compatible - settings and all that.
Is there any particular reason why the Uphorik is off your radar? It allows for adjustable settings and can this be dialled it in to match whatever one chooses to hang off the headshell. I would also recommend looking at the Lyra Delos and the Transfiguration Axia as they play rather well with the Ekos. Also, out of curiosity, has anyone heard the AT95 on an Ekos?

Excellent question! Who buys a so expansive tonearm might save on a cheap best buy cartridge? I think NO for a mental problem (in other words it would be a paradox). Why to dirt a so noble tonearm with a popular and gross cartridge? Who wants to make this test must pay the outrageus price (€.21).

Chris Dolan · 2012-04-25, 22:02

Ignoring the rest of your system whatever it may be - I would strongly suggest a Urika - with an appropriate cartridge - whatever that may be!!

When I changed from a Naim StagelineS/Hicap to my Urika the effect was jaw dropping as the Stageline (although very good) had become a bottleneck.

A Dynavector XX2II would be a good match with the Ekos SE and Urika. I've only heard it briefly but I really liked it.

I would suggest that the Transfiguration Phoenix is worth a listen too (well I would as I have one) Cool

It is a very good match for the arm (arguably better suited the Ekos SE than than the Aro) - great fit and not too heavy for the standard counterweight !! It also works stunningly well with the Urika - and yes I would say that too.

As a wise man said to me recently - there are some very good cartridges available but the have different "flavours" - it depends which flavour you prefer. He didn't go on to say "Suck it and see" but it might be apt!