Well I did the demo.
The system was a Feickert Woodpecker which is very nice looking with their own 10" tonearm. We compared the XV1-S, Ortofon A90 and Cadenza Black, Lyra Titan and a Musicmaker III (Moving Iron ?).
the rest of the system was Ayra phonostage, preamp and Acoustic Energy AE 1 MK3.
The overall system sound was quite neutral and musical which was nice.
So to start we used the XV1-S for about 20 minutes so I could get used to the sound. The XV1-S was very different sounding in this system but then that is what I would expect. But it took me about the whole 20 mins to get used to it.
The overall sound with the XV1-S was very good. Very well defined with a nice soundstage and great imaging. I prefer my system sound and presentation but so what.
Next up was the Ortofon A90. This was in a different league. You really can't compare the two of them. The XV1-S is a really good MC whereas the A90 plays above that level and presents the musical stage as if you were listening to a final mix on a master tape. The A90 is also much more musical as it allows you to enjoy the LP and not think about what it's doing right or wrong.
I can say across the whole audio band the A90 is something VERY different.
Back to the XV1-S to adjust my ears. The step down from the A90 was even bigger than going up to it!
Anyway 30 mins later and a cup of coffee... the Lyra Titan went on. Not my bag at all. I'm not too sure if it was because of the A90 that I didn't really like the Titan or because the laid back presentation that I wasn't keen on, but it wasn't for me. The XV1-S I definitely preferred by quite a margin. The Titan would probably suite classical listeners than any other genre. Anyway it wasn't for me.
Next and the last was the Musicmaker. After listening to the XV1-S, A90, Lyra Titan the Musicmaker was an eye opener. It confirmed to me that the 1970's sound is still around! I could NEVER EVER go to an MM or MI. It is really like going back it time. OK it costs about a 1/4 of the others so it's not a fair comparison. Anyway at least I know that MM or MI is not for me.
The Dr Feickert Woodpecker is really nice. I love the design and costs about £1000 more than the VPI Classic. I like the fact it can take any 9" - 12" tonearm on a sliding base - nice touch. It also makes the Classic look a bit cheap. I maybe borrowing one later to see what it is like in my system.
So, what I thought would happen actually happened. It also proves the VPI Classic can tell small differences between cartridges. The XV1-S and Cadenza Black were played side by side at the very end for about 10 mins. The Cadenza Black in this system also has a more vivid presentation around images. It's soundstage is not as big as the XV1-S nor is the bass as good BUT there are small things the XV1-S cannot do which you hear in the Cadenza Black but more so (read: loads) in the A90.
The XV1-S is extremely good though but if you want what some consider the very best, and I can see why, check out the A90. It is VERY different in what it does and how it does it BUT you may end up falling in love with it.
