Dynavector K17D3 replacement

Hi-Fi Corner
1

Well I just realised by Dynavector cartridge is 10yrs old so I did a quick calculation on the number of hours on it and a conservative estimate is 1500-2000 which coincidentally is around the expected life of a K17D3. It does seem to have lost its sparkle a bit so I think I’ll replace it next year when I’ll have some spare cash. But what to replace it with?

  1. Trade in for a new one - £1300

  2. Krystal - £1500 (Dealer suggest that the Ittok is a bit high mass for this and suggests a Koil)

  3. Koil - £900 (Some say this is just a rebadge OC9xml?)

  4. OC9xml - £500

  5. An AT cartridge ???

I really don’t know which way to go. I stream more these days so doesn’t make sense to push the boat out on another DV although I may do this I can’t make up my mind.

Any thoughts?

2

@Paul52135 “The enemy that you know”…The DV has served you well. I would stick with the DV. Would you also consider a phono stage change?

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3

Yep, the Prefix will go and it’s Supercap :frowning:. If I go DSM I’ll use the built in MC stage and if I’m dissatisfied Urika. Not sure if I go 300 series. Lejonklou?

4

Get the same again if you like the sound. Or if you are feeling flush XX2 2A.

I would go with another Dynavector personally.

I have Kandid and very nice it is too. But had 2 Dynavector carts beforehand and I think they are brilliant.

The Krystal has issues with cleaning it. Don’t use any stylus cleaner on it. The other carts you suggest would be a downgrade.

I don’t know what my next cart would be. I hope the Kandid lasts a long time !

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5

FYI I bought my Kandid lightly used for £1400. 50 hours use. Seller exchanged it for Ekstatik!

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6

I recently changed my Dynavector 20X2L for the DV XX-2A, huge step up and a fabulous cartridge. OK it isn’t cheap but you’ll benefit from a DV trade-in that softens the blow. But in this hobby, when was cheap ever good? :rofl:

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7

But then I’d have to get an Ekos SE ad well :joy::joy::joy::joy::joy:

I know my place :zany_face:

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8

With carts at this level they are all brilliant!

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9

That’s not actually a bad idea, might make me listen to vinyl more. £1550 with trade in isn’t a massive leap. I was thinking of getting a hummingguru for the same reason as I like 2nd hand record shops.

10

Recently put a Koil on my wife’s vintage LP12 with Ittok LVII. It runs into the Majik DSM MC Phono Stage and sounds marvellous.
I also have a Krystal on my Selekt level LP12 which also sounds superb.
We had Ortofon on my wife’s and Rega Apheta 3 on mine and both were nowhere near as accomplished as the Linn upgrades.

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11

Great cart! I really like the sound from Dynavector carts. I had XX2Mk11 which was really good.

When I did a big series of upgrades to my LP12 I was going to keep it but the Kandid came up for a steal.

But I would have been happy with the Dynavector cart. Glad you love the XX2A.

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12

With Krystal, and I am sure you know already, just be careful what fluid you use if you clean the cart. I have seen reports of it degrading. Just be careful what stylus cleaner you use.

Personally I don’t use any stylus cleaning fluid.

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13

No liquid cleaner with Linn Krystal.:-1:

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14

XX2 mk2 was originally what I was thinking of but my dealer told me about how much the Dynavector UK distributor chap was raving about how much better the XX2A was so I took a punt on it. Glad I did because it sounds great.

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15

Yes, I have had good things about it also. Glad you are happy with your cart!

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16

Neither do I Dan. A stylus brush and a gel pot for occasional deeper cleaning.
Simon

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17

Years ago Linn advocated for green paper?

18

The K17D3 has a reputation for being fast, clean, detailed and perhaps lean. Some of the other carts mentioned here may sound richer/warmer/fuller. It may be wise to try and listen before buying.

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19

Dynavectors are special. If you want to try something else look at Lyra. They are special too, and have a similar sound signature to Dynavector. I have both.

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20

I believe the Kandid is from the Lyra stable. Has similarities to Kleos.

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