Kiseki Purple Heart NS to Dynavector xv-1s ??


Considering making a move from my Kiseki Purple Heart NS to a Dyna xv-1s. Can anyone who's heard both compare these two cartridges?

Thanks......

jim94025

Dear @mijostyn  : Both models are very good, its build difference is the titanium " body ".

 

The t is smoother performer but very good too. I prefer the 1s, it's a little close to the power dynamics of the live MUSIC. I agree with the other gentlemans that like the 1s.

 

R.

@rauliruegas , Can you compare sonically the XV-1s to the XV-1t. They are very similar cartridges but the t is almost twice as expensive as the s. Both are highly regarded. 

The Dynavector it is then!

I had a lower end Kiseki in the 80s called a Miltek Aurora and it was very laid back and smooth. Not for me. Dealer said it was the house sound of Kiseki. 

@jim94025, my first two samples of the Purple Heart NS were defective.  The first exchange was painless but my second return was a nightmare.  My Dealer ended up taking care of me but the distributor / manufacture was a PIA.  I’m not sure if they still have QC issues, but twice burned, I’m not taking another chance.

 

the Dyna is a very dynamic and fast cartridge with incredible bass.  It tracks very well, has excellent QC and reputation.  It doesn’t favour one music genres over another.  

I've owned both but in different systems at different times, so no direct comparison. With that as a context, my impression of the Kiseki was that it is a very smooth, very seductive cartridge that excels with certain types of music and is very pleasant to listen to, but may be lacking in transparency and dynamics. In the end, I found it to be lovely, but just didn't find it convincing.

 

The Dynavector, on the other hand, was incredibly dynamic and a much stronger all-around performer on all types of music. I felt the build was also more robust.  There have been some concerns in the reliability of the Kiseki, though I personally experienced no such problems in the fairly short period of time that I owned one.

 

Too many occasional reports of Kisekis that didn't seem to be quite right - would make me skittish to go that route. I don't think I've ever seen a complaint from a Dynavector, other than that cleaning ladies seem to love dusting the $2K+ models. 

What tonearm? Dyna seems to thrive in slightly higher eff mass vs the Kiseki...

I talked with a dealer who knows of a multiple examples of very early demise of Kiseki cartridges.  I would personally go with the Dynavector.