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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
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.
rauliruegas
13,125 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.
sirspeedy70680e509 OP
1,064 posts
 
Raul,though you do make a correct observation,what it really comes down to is the fact that these are all just "people".Opinionated,as it should be,but no better able to differentiate the "correctness" of something than anyother hobbyist,who has been at it for a long time.

Of course there is sometimes an agenda,and also the lack of desire to "roll up the sleeves",to get at the "meat" of an issue.I doubt if I'd do any better,if I had to analyze stuff,all day long.I never wanted to be anything other than a simple hobbyist.

Yet it still doesn't let the people, who "influence" so many buying decisions,off the hook!At least not too easily!I always have this image,of HP,in a robe,with a pipe,and having his set-up man calling "hey Harry,come on down and tell me what you think".Followed by HP coming down a flight of stairs,giving a quick(bored)listen,and either giving a thumbs up,or down.Or using a pencil,where he breaks it,for rejection of said component,or doesn't snap it,at all.If he likes what he has heard.I know I've gotten carried away,but after the amount of time HP has been at this,he cannot possibly be as enthused about all the "stuff"(the componentry,and general dreck he is exposed to)he has to endure,and write about.

Yet,I would take his place,for what he probably gets paid.

Also,bear in mind that some observations cannot be taken at face value.For example:HP stated that he had issues with "line conditions,and poor wiring" until fairly recently.He then went on to rave about an amp,like the ASR(which I've heard),and the battery line stage.He felt it was incredibly quiet,and was blown away by this,and other aspects of the sound.Well,my friend,who has had a multitude of line problems,living 22 stories up,went through ALL the usual "line correcting" solutions.Until we finally(after a couple of years)got all the necessary "support products" in place.To say that he(my friend) NOW has supremely quiet lines is an understatement.He paid his dues,but we all learned something about the conditions affecting music reproduction.It would be all too easy,to proclaim my friend's Rowland as a worldbeater,but it's just good symetry at play.HP probably experienced something similar,but you can bet he didn't worry about it too much,and it was SO dramatic(though I did enjoy his little piece)to proclaim there is a breakthrough,now,in the area of amplification.Well,if you didn't have, admitted, "noise issues" previously,as you claimed HP,would the amp still be considered a breakthrough?Based upon what I heard,NO!I'm not trying to be smug.It is a really fine amp,but I like a good number of amps,at least as much.Which leaves us all to make our own judgements,in the first place.

That is one reason why,when HP claims a certain product,from the not too distant past,is now bettered by a newer model,or type,I ALWAYS preface his comment with "how can he be so sure,since he didn't have all his "noise factors" set correctly,originally.How could he know,for sure,how the older unit would have behaved if it had been set-up as well as the current standard.

Lends creedence to my original argument,that we must rely,SOLEY,on our own intuitive judgements.Spend your own hard earned cash,and you "get smart" alot faster.Also,don't get too overwhelmed with all the technical "mumbo jumbo".

Best!
vincentkkho
53 posts
 
There is always an old saying -- if you trust the book 100% after you read it, than it is better not to read it at all in the first place. The story lies in the state of condition or combination of components during the time when the subject is under review. Look back when stars were awarded to Miyabi, Titan, and XV-1. It is obvious to note the difference in the components choosen and arranged even same cartridge were to put in review again in Mr.P's system at this moment. So the rating, I believe, is inter-related or relative to each other under that particular set of components combination and arrangement. It may not be surprised to see such comment from reviewers when you have very sensitive speakers to "magnify" any shortcoming of the subject or at least, to reveal its incompatibility with the rest of the components when it is put in that system for review. Actually, to me, all cartridges are to be considered five stars, provided if , you have put the right components together to bring up its synergistic effect. With that, I believe, the setting will fall within the recommendation given by the manufacturer.
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear Vincentkkho: +++++ " you have put the right components together to bring up its synergistic effect. " +++++

I agree with you, the name of the game: synergy, this is a subject that I always support on this forum.

But MrP was wrong on that " contest " on many ways, one of that was: load impedance, he choose 47k ( like always ). This figure makes synergy with some cartridges and makes no synergy with others.

Anyway, it's fun to read TAS/Stereophile and like Sirspeedy told us: " to trust your own intuitive and experienced senses! "

Regards and ebjoy the music.
Raul.
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