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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
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.
nutella
223 posts
 
I have read the opinions on the cart and heard it once too. It appears that the opinion on Mr. Salvatore's website comes from a few different people who use the cart with JMW arms. Perhaps this is of note when considering the differing opinions on the XV-1s.
sirspeedy70680e509 OP
1,064 posts
 
Thomas,I LOVED your thread.To me,it is SO true!!I have often thought that HP relies too much on his set-up person,as you simply know, he is "not about to get on his hands and knees",like the average hobbyist.Thusly,how much can be learned,about new products,requiring sensitive adjustments,if you don't really do it ALL yourself.Also,as you brilliantly stated:if you did not pay for it,how much attention to detail will you likely put in?

I really read the journals for entertainment,though occassionaly there is a good "think Piece"!

I recently heard the BIG NOLA speakers,with ASR-Emitter/nordost set-up.Truthfully I got a headache after about 30 minutes.Just my own taste,but the stage/dynamic flow/instrument sizing was too damn big,and annoying.Really!Sure it did everything described in the original review,but it reminded me of being at a wedding,and sitting too close to the band!Yet if one is taking everything the audio press states,literally,we become addicted to the "It's new,and being discussed alot,and there are pictures of it" syndrome.Of course the more experience someone gets in the hobby,diminishes this,but ONLY after spending a TON of money. Just my own take.

Best!
jtimothya
612 posts
 
I'm getting ready to buy a XV-1S, so this is a very helpful thread. Thank you to all contributors.

Its fun to push the envelope and try new things and try old things in new ways. Part of the fun of vinyl is 'getting it right', because when it is right it can be sublime. Gears come and go. At the end of the day ... its the music.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,046 posts
 
Dear Thomas: About Mr. pearson, there is more than only " :"Well, in what mood I am today? "

In that " contest " where he gave a 5 stars to Miyabi he gave 3.5 to the XV-1 and the Titan and only 2 to the Insider.
This was his final opinion about the XV-1: " For my part, I find little to complain about. It does the music justice. And it has few audible shortcomings. In fact, taken by itself, you would not know it had any " in other part of the review of the Dyna he posted: " But much to my surprise, the XV-1 is, throughout the middle frequencies, virtually indistinguisable from the Miyabi. Indeed, the resemblance in terms of character, dynamics, etc, was so closer that I would have guessed that both cartridges were from the same line. I am not sure if one could distinguish between the two on some very good stereo systems. "

Why only 3.5 stars to the Dyna?

THis is what he posted about the Titan: " I loved the experience of listening to this moving coil, but not for one second was I convinced that is was getting me closer to the real thing. " In other part: " At first this cartridge was set for 1.6 grs., and while the bottom half of its response was admirable, the top half simply was not cutting it. We adjust the pressure till reached the maximum 1.75. I wanted to go higher. So I called ..Perkins on Immedia........he allowed... to set the force to 1.8, but that shorten the life of cantilever.
After a bit of reflection, we decided to stay at the manufacturer recomended maximum.....but we decided to play by the rules. "

He don't like the Titan but he give the same 3.5 start than the Dyna and here he show respect to the manufacturer advise about the VTF ????????

Well, what do you think?, only the mood? or you can " see " some other issues.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
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