Benz LP vs. Dynavector XV-1s

Johny is right. I heard in my friend's system the Benz LP which is very full and rich sounding. I currently own a Helikon that is fast and quite detail. I also believe it is not in the same league as the LP. Depending on your system and taste, either the Benz Ruby H or the Helikon is good. I personally like speed and detail and the Helikon has not disappointed me.

By the way, I am now selling the Helikon. Drop me an email if interested. Thanks.

The Benz LP does not have the resolution of the Dynavector. Nor is it as fast and open. It is a beutiful sounding cartridge, but the Dynavector is much more lifelike and I would differ from Johnny's opinion and say in my experience, the XV-1S is quite a bit more explosive and dynamic.

I have owned and tried many cartridges. If I had to characterize the Dynavector, I would say it combines the best attributes of both the top of the line van Den Hul and Koetsu cartridges.

Great cartridge.

As a disclaimer, the Dynavector is the only cartridge I decided to cary specifically due to the above reasons.

Jtinn,

I'm "thinking" about moving from a Helicon to a Titan. Have you personally compared the Titan to the Dynavector? Table is SME 20/2 SME IV.Vi arm. Thanks

Dear Audiolui: +++++ " Dynavector is much more lifelike .. " +++++

This is the Jtinn opinion and I agree with him ( btw, extraordinary speakers you have. Awesome. Congratulations. ). The XV-1 perhaps is one of the three best cartridges ever made. No one can goes wrong with this Dynavector choice, it does not matters which are their musical priorities. This cartridge needs the right tonearm ( like any other cartridge ) and a phono stage at its same performance level.

Audiolui, if you like the Helikon sound reproduction, my advise is that go for the Titan. You will be very satisfied.

From the Helikon to the other cartridges named in this thread: I own or owned all of them. No, the Benz Micro ( very good cartridges ) ones don't meet the performance level of the XV-1. Now, the Titan is closer but the XV-1 has a better tonal balance and neutrality than the Titan.

All those cartridges named in the thread are really a top performers and the preferences for one of them dependes on many things: tonearm, TT, phonopreamp, musical taste, accuracy of our ears, our whole audio system, etc., if we have the right synergy between all this " things " any of those top cartridges can be our " cup of tea ". To say which is better is a subjective question and of course a very personal answer.

Unfortunatelly we can't find a dealer that can borrowed all those cartridges to do a test in our homes.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Jfrech: The Titan is an interesting cartridge. It is fast and dynamic with very good resolution. I would say the Dynavector is more natural with better body, texture and is more open. From memory they are similar in dynamics.

The Dynavector mates extremely well with the SME 20/2 and IV.Vi arm. I would slightly up the tracking force over the recommended amount.