Great cartridge mate for SME lV arm

Thanks for the responces. I hadn't considered the Dynavector, bur it sounds like the XV-1s everyones choice for the arm!

I'll check it out.

Dave

JUst wondering. I've read you need a lot of wt to get all the sound out of the XV cartridge. How much wt. is everyone running with their XV-1's?
Thanks,
David

Thanks everyone. Yes, I was asking about the VTF. I too had read somewhere that 2.6 grams, or more, resulted in superior sound from the cartridge. I did wonder how this increased mass might effect wear on the vinyl as well as possibly resulting in early suspension fatigue on the cartridge.

David

After some thought on this, I'm now leaning towards the Shelter 90X, simply as it has a higher output. I think it may be a couple bucks cheaper too, but as of now I'm using a modified AR PH3 phono stage, so I think the 0.35v output of the SV-1 (according to Cincy Bobs system page) is a little low. I know I could put a step up transformer in place, or just get another phono stage, but that would add even more to the expense of changing cartridges...

David

Hi Cincy Bob,
According to the manual, the Gain is 54 dB at 1 kHz.
Given that this is a PH3, does anyone have recommendations for the Input Impedance loading on the Shelter? I've got the little kit of resisters that I can solder in place to change that depending upon which cartridge is in place. I suppose it will tell me in the cartridge manual, but then I've read that sometimes individuals will actually experiment with impedance loading other than that recommended by the manufacturer. Easy enough to do if you have a Steelhead, but not so easy if you're soldering in and out various resistors...
BTW, thanks Raul for your recommendation. Do you agree Bob? It's sounding like you're thinking the 54 dB gain might be enough, given 55 dB worked for you.
Have the mods to my PH3 affected the gain? I don't know. The changes are visible to me compared to the stock PH3's, and I was told that in a side by side comparison my modded PH3 was a clear favorite over the PH3SE, given that it has "hexfreds in ALL power supplies, MIT caps, Dynamicaps, Infinity signatures in varying locations, ceramic gold plated tube sockets, Blackgate caps in the low voltage B+ and heater supplies, and a removable power cord" for mods. However, I didn't hear the comparison myself.
Also, I know it may not be a critical factor, no one else seems bothered by it, but I still have a bit of hesitancy regarding running a stylus over my vinyl where I'm applying 2.4, or more, grams of vertical tracking force to the groove. Maybe I'd get over my concerns about that after listening to the sound of the Dynavector, but no one has said that I'd regret getting the 90X, and it would save me a couple of bucks too, no?

Thanks again,

David

Thanks for your personal experience with the SV-1 Bob. I guess I'd assumed to get the full value from the cartridge, one needed to run it at the highest possible VTF. Not the case as your letter last post points out. It still is "incredible" at 2.0 g VTF. I wouldn't mind upgrading my phono stage at some point, but taking things with some degree of moderation leads me to think the biggest improvement might be had in swapping out the Benz M2 for something more refined, vs doing the phono stage now, and the cartridge later. With that in mind, I think I'll go with the higher output 90x. Then, later on, after I upgrade the phono stage, if I still find myself wanting more at that point, maybe I could move to the Dynavector. I'll keep my eye out for a good shape used 90 X here on the gon for a while, and if nothing pops up, just get a new one. I'm thinking perhaps someone will sell their 90x when moving up to the SV-1.
Some of my looking will take place after a 2 week visit to St. John starting this Sunday. I mention that in case anyone wants to email me with a lead on a used 90X.

Thanks again,
David

This is just a follow up to thank everyone for there input on a cartridge to mate with my arm/system. The winner was the Shelter 90x for me. It's been in place a week or so now, and it's just what I was looking for. Thank you for all your input.

David