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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
dgad
782 posts
 
Grooves,

Loved your review of the XV-1s. A friend told me it only takes 60 hours to break in. Mine was sounding congested well beyond the 60 hours. I was ready to sell it. Finally after about 200 hours it opened up. After reading your article I said to myself, if I only read your article earlier I would have had more piece of mind knowing that break in is much longer than I expected. Your description of the cartridge matches mine exactly, but only after it breaks in. Before that it is unlistenable.
gregadd
574 posts
 
Sorry Grooves. I guess I am getting old.
sirspeedy70680e509 OP
1,064 posts
 
Grooves,it would have been "nice" if you had addressed the subject of the "criticality"(hope that's a word)of the dampening fluid,between the Graham 2.2,and the newer Phantom.As I'm sure you know,the 2.2 is a "Devil" to voice,as the fluid is rediculously critical,in ultimate timbre obtained.Makes or breaks the sound,and many will not go to the length needed.How 'bout the Phantom?Is it less so?This IS a critical parameter for those whose diet consists of more than re-issued rock!
Sorry,if it seems I'm trying to bait you!Really I'm not,and you surely must have a tough schedule.I could not do the overall fine,and consistent work you do.Regardless of the "human nature" criticism,you might take.Yet,and yet(sound familiar?)it is something that "would not be a bad thing to bring up in a future column,if you aren't comfortable doing so here.There are a hell of alot of Grahams out there,so it's pretty viable to cover.

Best!
thom_at_galibier_design's avatar
thom_at_galibier_design
729 posts
 

Hello all,

I've been swamped as of late, and have been meaning to contribute to a few of the recent threads on the Dyna XV-1s. There is one thread I can't immediately find which references people running these babies at 2.5 grams.

This has not been my experience and has not been the experience of the US distributor. I am tracking the cartridge in the 1.87 gram range - with both an 18 gram Schröder Reference as well as with a Triplanar.

Rather than re-post my lengthy comments on the subject of minor variations in tracking force and their effect on high resolution cartridges, I refer you to the active thread on the Shelter 90x over here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1144607453&read&3&4&

In the past, I have hinted at numerous setup issues beyond those of basic geometry. Tracking force is one of these areas of interest, and for reasons that most people don't speak about. The typical tracking force discussion centers on issues of reducing mis-tracking as well as of course the extreme case where you move the coil out of the center of the magnetic field. Of course, mention is made of changes in VTA/SRA when you adjust the tracking force. This is not of what I speak, however.

I'm referring to things far more subtle than this. When I read any analog review it is always with a jaundiced eye toward the sensitivity of the reviewer to these issues - unless I have personal experience of the reviewer. I don't want to sound too dismissive of the audio press. Many of our most respected audio-experts have not had the experience that for example Doug Deacon and I have had - sitting at the feet of Frank Schröder and watching him in action.

These reviewers cannot be blamed for their ignorance, but their opinions should be taken in this light however. Many people (and the last time I checked, reviewers are people) underestimate how far you can take an analog setup, and by not realizing it, a bit of randomness enters their observations.

There are some other good observations in this thread, but I don't have time to explore them at this late hour.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier
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rauliruegas
13,046 posts
 
Dear Sirspeedy: Along your thread I decided to fully break my XV-1 suspension playing record after record.. As I already posted 2.4 was used for a time, now that the XV-1 is really on target the VTF that I'm using is 2.1 ( as a fact I'm still " playing with the VTF between 1.9 and 2.2 ), I tested between the 2.2 and 2.5 range and definitive the performance on these VTF range is really poor against the 2.1. Btw, my XV-1 is matched with a Lustre GST 801 tonearm.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
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