ZYX Airy 3x/SB vs. Dynavector XV-1 or 1s

Three suggestions, with apologies in advance if you've already tried them:

1) VTF and SRA adjustment (both are very critical with a ZYX)

2) Graham damping fluid adjustment (also critical, read SirSpeedy's thread on this topic if you haven't)

3) Try a lower impedance load

The one time I tried an Airy 3-X-SB on a Graham 2.2 it was also a touch bright. All attempts to tame it failed unless we went so far that HF musical content was lost. There was no happy medium.

It's possible these two components are not the best match, as I hypothesized in my Airy 2/3 review last year. The Airy 2 and UNIverse have no problems on the Graham IME.

Sorry, I haven't heard an XV-1S, though I'd certainly like to.

Doug,

Thanks for your recommendations. I've played around with VTF and SRA settings quite a bit but not much on the damping fluid. Load is set at the recommended 100ohms. VTF is set at 1.9 and SRA is set with the butt end slightly lower for heavy pressings (visually even for run-of-the-mill pressings).

I will try adding a drop more fluid (does this have a similar effect as adding mass at the pivot point of the arm?), then a drop less. I can also try a lower impedance setting if the fluid trick doesn't do the magic. However, if you've experienced the same symptoms using the same cartridge/arm combo on a different table, phono stage and downstream components, that pretty much validates my thoughts.

Guess I could also look into adding a second arm (which I planned on doing anyway -- but not until next year) or upgrade my 2.2 in lieu of a cartridge swap.

The saga continues...

Ca2284,Firstly--A xv-1s is quite a heavy cartridge,and would probably be a better match for an arm like the Phantom,Schroeder,Dynavector's own(excellent)507 mk 2,and some other contenders.The 2.2 may work with it,but it is really not ideal with cartridges like this,or the more massive Koetsus,IMO.

As to your NOW experimenting with adding an additional drop of fluid,I'd like to emphasize (strongly)that you work in tiny,as in pinheads at a time,of the damping fluid.This is SO critical,you won't believe it.You want to shoot for a very detailed sound,yet not a damped sound.There should NOT be any brightness with a high performance cartridge like the ZYX,that you have.Adding drops at a time is WAY too much to properly voice the arm/cart. interface.

Best of luck!