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Dynavector XV-1s What is the REAL story?

I have read the performance parameters required for best sound in this cartridge, by the great HP,which I found interesting and perplexing.I then read,what seems to be a complete about face of HP's findings,by Mr Fremer,in Stereophile.Mr. Fremer does make a valid argument(we're talking tracking force)for correct alignment in the coils,and claims the mfgr's suggested force is the way to go.Makes sense,to me, NOT to stray from what the original designer has recommended!Yet,what do I know?It also seemed that MR Fremer was intentionally making the point,that HP was a bit clueless regarding downforce.

Well,now we have the "new audio pioneer"(I do like the guy,alot)Arthur Salvatore,on his "really fun to follow" web pages,stating that after much experience,with the XV-1s,he has concluded that MR Pearson was RIGHT,in recommending a downforce considerably higher than even the mfgr states.Obviously Mr Fremer would be incorrect.Even though his argument follows the line of ultimate reliability,as well as performance.All in a product costing about 4500 bucks--????

So,my argument is this---"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON"???

We have a very expensive product that has gotten a considerable amount of press,where the supposedly top reviewers in the industry cannot seem to agree on a parameter that will DEFINITELY affect both sonic performance,as well as long term reliability!

They claim that "Newbees" are in short supply,and the industry is shrinking.Hmm,I wonder why!

Do we ALL cancel our subscriptions,to these "once hobbyist oriented" journels?Do we rely on forums like this to garnish the "TRUTH",where there STILL are those who "jump" at the opportunity to tout their Favorite possessions,and put in a good word for their favorite designer/manufacturers?

Or do we start to rely on our own sense of perceptions,which(believe me)really begin to "sharpen up",after you have spent your hard earned cash!!

Any thoughts are always welcome!!
sirspeedy70680e509
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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 
Dear Jeff: You are right. When a cartridge is new the suspension is to rigid and sometimes needs the max VTF but over the play hours the suspension is right on target and with less VTF sounds right.

Van denHul recomended this for my Colibri and really works.

Rigfht now I'm on that " game " with the XV-1 but I don't have yet any conclusion about on it.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
gregadd
574 posts
 
most people use higher vtf to counter mistracing. remember putting the penny on the tonearm. I don't remeber what arm he was using with dynavector xv-1. Also HP tends to match what he thinks is the absolute best cartridge with the absolute best arm. Sometimes they are an ideal match sometimes not. Maybe he needs to experiment with other arms.
sirspeedy70680e509 OP
1,064 posts
 
BTW,Raul--I knew,in advance of posing my question,that your response would be quite interesting,and in this case,seemingly plausable,as well.

Also,I'm not really surprised with the discrepencies displayed by some industry people,as you know.Alot of what we are exposed to is simply the marketing engine,at work!Do we really need more stuff?As regularly as we are told,we do?Do you really believe that there are "levels of improvement",that appear as regularly as the next issue of TAS,or Stereophile,with the "components of the moment"?Go to a dealer,or show event,and try to listen beyond the hype.If you've been at this for a long time,ask yourself if what you are hearing is really better than what you have assembled,over the time you have spent,in this hobby.Especially if you are an active hobbyist.You may be surprised,with the answer.

My point is that it is of paramount importance to trust your own intuitive senses!Not what we are told should be best!!Also,sure it's fun to get as technical,as we see in these forums,but in all truthfulness it is merely an exercise in technospeak!!ANY "newbee" out there,trust your own judgements,you will seldom make a gross enough error,that will dampen your enjoyment of musi Best!
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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 
Dear Sirspeedy: +++++ " Do you really believe that there are "levels of improvement",that appear as regularly as the next issue of TAS,or Stereophile,with the "components of the moment"? " +++++

Certainlly not, at least not so fast like they told. I think that the problem with those reviewers is that if some audio device sounds a little different from what they have on reference they always " think it sounds better " and there are almost always comercial compromises between the manufacturers and the reviewers/magazines that preclude a neutral reviews. Of course that not all reviewers have " compromises ", some of them are really neutral.

+++++ " My point is that it is of paramount importance to trust your own intuitive senses! " +++++

Ok, now I understand and agree with you.

Regards and enjoy the music.

Raul.
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
When I read that article, I smiled. I smiled, because I thought, he was looking for a "new" King in Town. He also wrote, this is the first real 5 Star cartridge. That was wrong, some time ago he had the first "shoot out" with Lyra Titan, Clearaudio Insider, Miyabi 47 and XV-1 and he raved about the Miyabi in a long article as the first 5 Star cartr. ever.
Now he runs the XV-1s with a weight, no other will do because the other ones will use the manufacturer's recommendation. That's normal, they pay money for.
When he uses that cartridge far out of it's range, why does he not do that with the other ones?
I read TAS for nearly 12 years now, but since they had financial problems and got back, it is not the same anymore. Sometimes I have the impression, HP gets out of bed and thinks:"Well, in what mood I am today?
I need a new favourite". On the other side, he writes about the pain in the ass to adjust that Clearaudio Stuff, that impresses me, because most other avoid to write about unpopular "things".
Would I run Cartridge with much higher tracking force than the manufacturer's recommendation?
Only when I get that one for free.
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