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Dynavector XV-1s What is the REAL story?

I have read the performance parameters required for best sound in this cartridge, by the great HP,which I found interesting and perplexing.I then read,what seems to be a complete about face of HP's findings,by Mr Fremer,in Stereophile.Mr. Fremer does make a valid argument(we're talking tracking force)for correct alignment in the coils,and claims the mfgr's suggested force is the way to go.Makes sense,to me, NOT to stray from what the original designer has recommended!Yet,what do I know?It also seemed that MR Fremer was intentionally making the point,that HP was a bit clueless regarding downforce.

Well,now we have the "new audio pioneer"(I do like the guy,alot)Arthur Salvatore,on his "really fun to follow" web pages,stating that after much experience,with the XV-1s,he has concluded that MR Pearson was RIGHT,in recommending a downforce considerably higher than even the mfgr states.Obviously Mr Fremer would be incorrect.Even though his argument follows the line of ultimate reliability,as well as performance.All in a product costing about 4500 bucks--????

So,my argument is this---"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON"???

We have a very expensive product that has gotten a considerable amount of press,where the supposedly top reviewers in the industry cannot seem to agree on a parameter that will DEFINITELY affect both sonic performance,as well as long term reliability!

They claim that "Newbees" are in short supply,and the industry is shrinking.Hmm,I wonder why!

Do we ALL cancel our subscriptions,to these "once hobbyist oriented" journels?Do we rely on forums like this to garnish the "TRUTH",where there STILL are those who "jump" at the opportunity to tout their Favorite possessions,and put in a good word for their favorite designer/manufacturers?

Or do we start to rely on our own sense of perceptions,which(believe me)really begin to "sharpen up",after you have spent your hard earned cash!!

Any thoughts are always welcome!!
sirspeedy70680e509

Showing 1 response by fretless

fretless
5 posts
 
I track my XV-1 (no 's' FWIW) at 2.2g. I heard absolutely no improvement musically or sonically at higher VTF settings. If anything, I thought the cartridge's high frequency performance was slightly compromised at VTF settings that ran much beyond the manufacturer's recommended 2.2g upper limit.

More importantly, I found that the music's pacing began to suffer at higher VTF settings, which is a serious drawback in my book. Swapping the XV-1's excellent rhythmic drive for a doubtful improvement in sound effects is a lousy trade if you care about musical involvement.

Based on their writing and/or equipment choices, it seems that HP, HW, and Salvatore (and Fremer too, for that matter) are basically clueless, or at best indifferent, when it comes to reproducing music with its timing and drive intact.

I spoke with Mike Pranka (the US distributor for Dynavector) about this, and he said the manufacturer cautions that 2.5 grams VTF is the upper limit that the XV-1 should safely be able to handle. I think it's reasonable to assume that exceeding that limit would cause premature wear or damage, skew the SRA, and certainly throw the moving coil out of alignment with the magnetic gap's sweet spot.
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