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Dynavector XV1s loading & phono

Hi.

For those of you that have owned the XV1s, just curious as to what phono stage you are using with yours (or have used) and what loading you are putting on it to make it sound great!

I have got a XV1s at the moment, but with the Cary PH301mkII tube phono stage, have never got it to sound great. I was using the XV1s on LP12/Valhalla/Ittok II/rignmat anniversary. The default loading for MC on the Cary is 680 ohms. I modified it to make it about 150 ohms which did make a substatial improvment, however, sound was still very dull, undynamic, muffled, very unexciting.

I have heard the TeKaitorua (next model down) on a Oracle/smeIv setup going thorough a very modest solidstage phono/integrated setup and that gave extraordinary results! Likewise with the Lyra Titan, used through a solid stage Lyra Connosieur phono stage was absolutely amazing. Some people have replaced their Titan's with the XV1s! I don't think I'm hearing anything close to what the XV1s is capable of at all.

I think it is something with my front end analogue setup as my CD playback sounds spectacular, WAY better than the XV1s/Cary combo in every way. Since I have blamed the Cary for the poor match with the XV1s, I have since replaced the unit with the Kondo M7 phono - but as this is just a standard phono stage, I have had to revert back to my very modest MM Linn K18II cartridge. The Linn/Kondo setup is better than the XV1s/Cary in every respect - probably equal to that of CD playback in my system. To use the XV1s with the M7, will require step up transformers.

Question is:
1) What sort of loading are you guys out there using with the XV1s and on what phono? Tube or solidstate?
2) Is my deck/arm/PS combo the main cause of the poor sound from the vinyl?
3) What stepup transformers would one recommmend to match with the M7 - there is obviously the Kondo SFz ... any other worthy contenders?

Thanks a lot for all you guys help.

Regards
David
linnmaster

Showing 2 responses by downunder

downunder
1,329 posts
 
David

I have both a Linn/naim ARO/lingo and a VPI HRX. The HRX is better in every way to the Linn except for maybe some sweetness in the top end, as the HRX is more extended and that gives you the good and the bad.
The Linn is a luvely sounding TT, however you may want to upgrade the arm and definately the valhalla to a lingo or armageddon - whatever takes your fancy.
I believe that will get you closer in peformance to what you are expecting and it will support the XV-1 better as well.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Thom

You say you load the XV-1 at 1.87 gms.

Is that VTF when playing a 120gm or 200 gm record. As you know there will be a bit of a difference between the two.

Or do you take a medium like 150gm record??

I agree that tracking at 2.5gms to me does not sound better.

I have tracked at around 2 to 2.05 for some time, but may try a little lower, hence my question.

cheers Shane
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