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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
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
I don't know, is there a "best" cartridge?
Well, some of my impressions, specially for the Titan, one of it's official Importers called it "sharp, that's why we change them all to the Scala Line, they sound more pleasant", or the Transfiguration Line, I like them, one of my friends compared the latest one to his Zyx UNIverse and decided, not to buy the Transfiguration, for him, there was no reason to go for it. Raul is mad for UNIverse, personally I think, there is much worse out there ( I own one ). In my opinion it is much more efficient to share our opinions in the most honest way. Of course there is always one or the other out there, who benefits from the sale of a product and tries to push it with a few audiophile "friends", but that's the way it is.
And, lots of Vinyl masterings have so much "influences", it is also hard to way, what's RIGHT ...
rwd
695 posts
 
Sirspeedy...hey!!! Just a thought! If I were Sid, I would do one of three things real quickly to improve my system!

1.) Check my VTA on the 12.5 arm

2.) Change my cartridge to the Dyna XV-1

3.) NOTHING...and sit back and enjoy my FABULOUS collection of music!
sirspeedy706802461
28 posts
 
Heavily modded Rs-1b's,driven with CJ Premier 8,pre/phono-CJ Art/CJ premier phono,Latest VPI TNT/with custom(not commercially available)metal and plastic platter,12.6 arm(though the former Air Tangent trumped it),Titan i cartridge,Krell mono bass amps for bass towers(from yesteryear),Vibraplane under table and sitting on massive stand,cheap but great sounding(only in Sid's system)cabling.GREAT ROOM,with almost no treatment other than rug and couch.Incredible LP collection consisting of EVERYTHING in first pressings.Set up man living on same block!Great Bklyn bakery within walking distance!'nough said?

Best!
sirspeedy70680e509 OP
1,064 posts
 
Rick,as Sid does NOT have access to a computer,I have to give the correct answer.Which is--(D)Reconnect the Air Tangent!!!Ed felt the same way!!See, he's not all that quiet!The system was definitely good,but you simply had to hear it with the Air Tangent!!

However Richard is coming down from Canada,next month,and promises to fine tune the 12.6 a bit better!I'm not holding my breath,having heard the A.T.Sorry,I had to tell the truth!

Best regards.Now get back on that cell phone,as you have money to make, to afford your Schroder/Phantom/Triplanar/KUZMA AIRLINE.Like the message in The DaVinci Code,I have left you my own.Heh,heh!

Happy Easter!
sirspeedy70680e509 OP
1,064 posts
 
Sorry,forgot to mention something that I'm sure is obvious to all of us addicts.Thomas is right,and I knew this when posting about the Titan,but like a great evening out,with friends at a good restaurant,once you're having a grand old time,it's so easy to overrate the food,a bit!

I'm not saying I was off regarding my,and others,impressions of the Titan-i,but to compare it to my exposure with the superb Univ was a bit of a stretch.In lieu of the fact that I heard the Univ only once(still getting a good read,on it),and hearing the Titan-i on loads of occassions.The fact that I always hear the Titan with the best first pressing lp's could not have hurt either!It's damn good,though!

With the finest lp's,the Titan-i is NOT "sharp",or lean,or clinical etc.As I have more than one friend owning it,and all very serious hobbyist/listeners/collectors of vinyl(one owning it,with a Koetsu Coral,and a Lyra Olympos),this is the sentiments of those learned folks.They think it's great,and have heard lots of the great cartridges as well.-----Btw,How much fun is this hobby?----
Also,to hopefully have some degree of credibility,I almost never reference my own feelings about what I myself own.To me,it's always better to reference one's tastes through another familiar set-up,as this frees one to NOT be in a position of rationalizing what we own,and hear.Let's face it.We all love our stuff.Especially when we've spent the kind of money on it,that this hobby sometimes requires.No need to say "mine is the best I've heard".To me,it sound sort of obnoxious,and I know that I already am!Sorry!!Have to go now,time to get out on a tennis court.My game sucks lately.Of that I CAN be truthful!

Best!
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