[MarSanz]

After 10 years my Dynavector XX-2 was starting to sound weird, the next logical thing was to consider a retip, trade it in towards the purchase of a new one or look at other carts. Since I was very happy with the XX2, I decided to have it retipped. My dilemma was that I didn't have any LOMC carts to hold me over in the interim or any decent MM carts.

That's when I remembered the Maestro Wood which the Dyna XX2 replaced, unfortunately when doing the swap my tonearm rolled on me and sheared off the cantilever and I forgot about it until now. I heard about Steve Leung at VAS Audio, after speaking with him and reading numerous positive reviews including one from Harry Weisfeld, I decided to send the Maestro off for repair. 7 days later I received the Maestro back from Steve with a new boron cantilever, suspension and line contact stylus, it was looking pristine.

I set up the Maestro using the Mint Best Tractor, once I had the VTA, VTF, azimuth, anti-skate and the stylus dead smack aligned per Mint's specs I sat back to listen. I didn't know what to expect for a couple of reasons. When I first purchased the Maestro, my system was not tweaked as it is now and once I went with a LOMC cart there was no turning back.

From the first record to the last the Maestro was exceptional, this was not my expectation. In fact, I have not sent my XX2 off for repair yet, the Maestro has been that good. It has immediacy, impact, great micro-detail, velvety mid range, great bass and surprisingly a wider sound stage. This cart is intoxicating, I am on my 4th hour of listening tonight, I just want to keep on listening which is why we are in this game.

I am also happy with the service and quick turnaround Steve provided, top notch.