I haven't heard the XV1-S but I have owned a 17D2 and XX-2 and found them rather dull sounding. The 17D2 lacked about an octave of bass and both Dynavectors had a light, rather cool tonal balance with a recessed midrange. I preferred the Shelter 901, with its richer tonal balance, although it was a bad match with my tonearm (an Ekos) so I ended up regretfully selling it. I also preferred the Benz Glider and L2, and the Koetsu Rosewood. The Benz cartridges are now my reference, since I find them as close to ideal as I have heard.
Dynavector XX-2 MkII vs. Shelter 5000
After much upgrades to my system, I'm of the opinion that my cart. is the weak link. I have a DV10x5 on a Kuzma Stabi S w/Stogi S arm. I'm using an Exemplar Audio tube pre amp into two Belles 350a's powering Usher BE-10's. I'm currently using a Belles 28a as a phono section, because I have it, and it does have a good phono section. Kuzma uses and recommends Shelter cart.s, but I'm concerned that the 5000 might not be dynamic enough for my speakers, if that makes sense. It's not like my 10x5 is bad, I just dont think its on par with the rest of my system. Thanks