Changing from an XV1-S

i'll first echo your friend on the A90 as i own 2 of them; and it is different enough from the XV-1s that it's something new. it's more vivid, transparent and articulate in the bass than the XV-1s.

i like the Titan i but have never lived with one. some consider it a bit lean. it's great at space. i own a Lyra Olympos SL which is a bit more 'fleshed out' and sweet compared with the Titan but it's also twice the price and scarce.

i've owned an XV-1s and have always considered it about the perfect all around cartridge.....of which maybe the A90 has now one-uped it by a small margin as it's more neutral and detailed.....and still relatively affordable.

maybe consider which direction from the XV-1s you want to travel. more detail? more body? more space?

good luck and even if you stay with the XV-1s you will still have one of the world's best.

Thanks Mike.

I think I'll go the A90 route as someone else just told me it's the ONLY way to go. I'm just looking for more realism. The Cadenza Black sounded more 'real' than the XV1-S which maybe down to the newer technology. The XV1-S was better in some areas but not all.

I'll see how long it'll take my dealer to get hold of one.

Did you ever think of a Sussuro by Soundsmith? When I heard it, I thought it was wonderful...maybe perfect. Tracking, quickness, musicality...really great.

I am in the same boat...just started a thread for help deciding among Lyra Titan, A90, and XV-1s to go on a VPI 10.5i.

Pepe