Dynavector XV-1s set up

It has since been generally agreed that the XV-1s performs best at around 2.1g VTF. However, it might be worth trying it with a slightly greater weight until it is broken in. SO far, I have found the best tonearm match to be with an Ikeda IT407 with a light weight (very cheap) Altai headshell and set up with the Feikert protractor. From my experience, the improvement in sound from usuing the protractor and disregarding the manufacturer's instructions if phenomenal.

I am as close to reality/live performances as I have ever been with any analogue set up. I know that Raul has had a great experience using his XV-1 with an Audiocraft AT3300 and hope to try this out at some future point. For now, setting the XV-1s/Ikeda/Altai combination up using Dr. Feickert's protractor at 2.1g VTF is a recommendation I can honestly make.

I hope this helps

Interesting. I find my XV-1s sounds best to me around 1.85 grams. I suppose the arm being used may have something to do with what VTF works best for anyone.

Dear Dgob: +++++ " I am as close to reality/live performances as I have ever been with any analogue set up. " +++++

That is all about and what it matters, stay in that way.

regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Thanks Raul, just to note that I have recently swapped the Altai headshell for a Nagaoka magnesium headshell and my Mat1 platter for an Autio Technica AT 666 pneumatic mat. The improvement is startling and informative. Leaving me compelled to leave an even higher recommendation!!

Now I just need to try out the XV1s and Nagaoka on an Audiocraft arm to settle on my final(?) reference set up. Thanks again

All,

This whole question about why people are tracking this cartridge at 2.5 g. has been puzzling me for quite some time.

I have one possible explanation.

Raul and I have been harping for quite some time about how many phono stages with high aspirations suffer from being too slow - having a slew rate which cannot keep up with fast transients. This is a fascinating phenomenon, as the resulting sound can fool you into thinking that you are mistracking the inner groove. It can have you puzzling over your setup geometry, azimuth, anti-skate ... as well as tracking force.

Think back to Doug's comments on tracking just above the threshold of mistracking for best dynamics (also applies to having a delicate hand with anti-skate setting).

Let's put the two concepts together ...

The XV-1s has extraordinary dynamics. I can see where some (perhaps not all), are loading down their cartridges with some .6 grams extra force in order to constrain dynamics which overchallenge their phono stages. I have not heard every phono stage out there, and certainly can't comment without inspecting the setup of these rigs. I'd certainly love to see one of these systems and plug in a known "fast" phono stage (after optimizing setup) to hear what results.

I'm sure there are other reasons for many of you tracking at such a high force - including your turntable's architecture, stand, and the floor everything is sitting on, but in piecing all of this together in the context of an unrelated discussion with a customer, I felt compelled to relate these thoughts for your consideration.

I don't get to check in here much these days, but will try to follow this thread as best as I can.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier