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Changing from an XV1-S

Hi All

I'm considering (read hankering) for a new cartridge. I have been using a Dynavector XV1-S for a while now and although it really is good I feel that other manufacturers have overtaken this recently with units that cost a 'tad' less.

It's going on my VPI Classis/ 10.5 and the new Whest PS.30RDT Special Edition/ Conrad Johnson ART MK1/ Levinson 331 Poweramp/ JM Lab Scala Utopia. The general sound from the system is excellent to bloody brilliant BUT having just heard an Ortofon Cadenza Black in the system I am led to believe that the XV1-S technology is 'getting on'.

A friend has recommended the Ortofon A90 or Lyra Titan.
Is there anything else I should look at?

My musical tastes are wide BUT do not include Opera, Classical or choir. I like vocals but love instumentals.

Thanks for your help - if I get any :)

dcarol

Showing 5 responses by peterayer

peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Sounds like you are very enthusiastic. Congratulations Dcarol on you new cartridge. I have a friend who owns the XV-1s and he just bought an A90 but has not had a chance to set it up yet. I'm curious, have you ever heard an Air Tight PC-1? I would love to read a comparison between the PC-1 and the A90.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I'm one of the people who had heard Madfloyd's former VPI front end. I can tell you there is no comparison between what he had and what he now listens to. The XV-1S remains and now sounds great.

Having written that, I am curious about the XV1S/A90 comparison. Please let us know what differences you hear. Thanks.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Andromedaaudio,
I'm not writing that one needs to spend $15/20K on an analog front end to get good sound. Quite the contrary. The single best dealer demo I have heard included the SME 10 table, stock arm, stock cable and a $600 Dynavector cartridge. Total cost was about $10,500. This could be had for about $5K on Audiogon, and I'm sure there are other less expensive combos which sound very good too. I simply said that I heard Madfloyd's former system with the VPI table and arm and his present system with the Raven/TriPlanar combo and "there was no comparison". The rest of the system, including the XV-1S, remained the same. I stand by that statement.

Incidentally, I believe the VPI does have a "certain level" of sound, though I don't think I was specific in my post about that. The SME table and arm have been in the market for quite some time, and I think they are excellent. Length in the market has little bearing on quality.

I agree with you that the phono amp is extremely important in getting good analog results, as is loading, set up etc.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Thom,
Thanks. Yes, I have been reading that thread and wish I could attend the demonstration. I have met a few of the people who will be in attendance. I trust their ears and experience, and look very forward to reading the opinions after the demo. I have read many good reports on the A90 and on the arms that will be heard. I trust you will have a wonderful evening.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
DCarol,
That was an interesting report. You heard a bunch of cartridges in a short time. Are you confident that there was enough time to set them all up properly, or was each cartridge in its own headshell or arm wand for easy swapping? I found that it took quite a while to dial in my cartridge with proper alignment and loading, VTF, VTA etc.

I would love to hear the A90 and compare it to my PC-1.
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