Benz LP vs. Dynavector XV-1s

I have not heard the Dynavector,so cannot comment.I am intimately familiar with the sound of the Helicon,in my friend's set-up.He is an AVID and FANATICAL record collectoer,so I've heard a very wide variety of program material.He has recently had the Titan,which replaced the Helicon.He now has the "New and Updated" Titan.Here are my observations,as well as almost all of our listening group.

The Helicon was,and is, a fabulous product,for the money!One need make NO excuses for owning it!The Titan significantly outperforms it,in virtually any meaningful area.Especially the newer,and improved Titan.

The Titan excels in "subtle inner detail",and very fine dynamic shadings.It really has to be heard on a great system,to appreciate what it can do.My pal has a superb system,and a wonderful analog front end,so,he really maximizes the (any) cartridge's potential.His set-up consists of CJ ART linestage/phonostage,with CJ Premier amps(for mid on up),and Krell amps driving his woffer towers (yes,two towers,Raul)!

Just as a point of perspective,I'll add:we were over his home recently,before the heat wave set in(as he runs a total of 42 tubes)which raise the room temp really fast,in summer.He was playing the "first pressing" Decca,of Ted Heath- "Music of the Big Band Era".A jazz version of the Mercury-"The Composer and His Orchestra".WOW--The Titan's dynamics(in this improved version),coupled with the incredibly palpable timbral accuracy,simply blew us all away.Inner details,that really allowed us to hear reeds clicking,as well as a plethora of fine detail.

All in all a STUNNING cartridge!!BTW-I don't own it,so my comments are purely my opinion,in a friend's set-up.Best wishes!

Well, I think, there are two ways out there:
The first from those designers, who are able to "improve" their former design, of course in a way, that the newer is "much" better and they can do it for years and years.
All owners are proud to own that " newest, updated MK3.5.2 " product, the question is, "how long" ? To avoid that question, a test report is needed ( an enthusiastic one of course ).
Great.
And then is another group of designers, a few, I think, which are able to do it right the first time.
Unfortunately, some of these are not really mad for reviews ...
Taste and listening is different.

Stanhifi: What a shock! Another sarcastic statement and nothing to contribute.

Sirspeedy,
You meant there is a newer Titan out there. How do we tell the old one from the new? Do they say MK II or something? Thanks for sharing your opinion.

What's worse? Shilling or non-contribution.
LOL
:-)