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Dynavector XV1s loading & phono

Hi.

For those of you that have owned the XV1s, just curious as to what phono stage you are using with yours (or have used) and what loading you are putting on it to make it sound great!

I have got a XV1s at the moment, but with the Cary PH301mkII tube phono stage, have never got it to sound great. I was using the XV1s on LP12/Valhalla/Ittok II/rignmat anniversary. The default loading for MC on the Cary is 680 ohms. I modified it to make it about 150 ohms which did make a substatial improvment, however, sound was still very dull, undynamic, muffled, very unexciting.

I have heard the TeKaitorua (next model down) on a Oracle/smeIv setup going thorough a very modest solidstage phono/integrated setup and that gave extraordinary results! Likewise with the Lyra Titan, used through a solid stage Lyra Connosieur phono stage was absolutely amazing. Some people have replaced their Titan's with the XV1s! I don't think I'm hearing anything close to what the XV1s is capable of at all.

I think it is something with my front end analogue setup as my CD playback sounds spectacular, WAY better than the XV1s/Cary combo in every way. Since I have blamed the Cary for the poor match with the XV1s, I have since replaced the unit with the Kondo M7 phono - but as this is just a standard phono stage, I have had to revert back to my very modest MM Linn K18II cartridge. The Linn/Kondo setup is better than the XV1s/Cary in every respect - probably equal to that of CD playback in my system. To use the XV1s with the M7, will require step up transformers.

Question is:
1) What sort of loading are you guys out there using with the XV1s and on what phono? Tube or solidstate?
2) Is my deck/arm/PS combo the main cause of the poor sound from the vinyl?
3) What stepup transformers would one recommmend to match with the M7 - there is obviously the Kondo SFz ... any other worthy contenders?

Thanks a lot for all you guys help.

Regards
David
linnmaster
docsavage
109 posts
 
Hi David, I am surprised at the difficulty you are having with the XV1s. I have had many carts in my system and the XV is clearly one of the best I have used. Loading should be around the 100 to 150 ohm area.
Of course VTF, VTA etc. all need fine tuning to get the best out of any cart.
I have had great success using a Supratek Grange and most recently an Einstein line stage with the Einstein balanced phono stage. The Grange is an all tube design as is the Einstein line stage. The Einstein phono stage is SS.
My table is the Galibier Gavia with Tri-planar VII and Schroeder Reference SQ arms. I suspect that if all set up parameters are OK the problem is with the table. The XV is a great cart. that will provide fantastic vinyl playback well beyond that of CD.
nickt
172 posts
 
Hi David,
I have the XV1s on a Vpi table going into a Cary Phono Pre(latest and current model), and it sounds great. I think your problem might be from not having enough gain from your Phono Pre. The XV1s w/ .3mv output requires a Phono Pre w/ around 60db of gain.
audiomax
166 posts
 
Try Artemis Labs PL-1 high gain tube phono stage. It works well with XV1s and Te Kaitora Rua on SME tone arms.
www.artemislabs.com
fmpnd
481 posts
 
As Docsavage said, I too am surprised at your experience with the XV-1s and can't help but wonder if there is either a defect in the cartridge or problem or mismatch in your set-up. I use an Aesthetix Io Signature phono stage on an SME 30 (w/SME IV.vi arm) and have the XV-1s loaded at 200 ohms to great effect. Like Docsavage, I have had top of the line Clearaudio, van den Hul, Cardas, Shelter and Lyra cartridges in my system and the XV-1s is one of the best if not the best overall that I have had. For SURE, "dull, undynamic, muffled, very unexciting" are not words associated with the XV-1s even if one is not necessarily a fan of the cartridge.

Good luck trouble shooting.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 
Dear David: +++++ " ) What sort of loading are you guys out there using with the XV1s and on what phono? Tube or solidstate? " +++++

I'm using 100 Ohms and just trying 75 Ohms, with both sounds great ( I have to hear more time with the 75 Ohms to stay sure about ), tube or SS?: it does not matters always that the Phonolinepreamp be accurate ( RIAA eq. ), high active gain and low noise/distortion.

+++++ " Is my deck/arm/PS combo the main cause of the poor sound from the vinyl? " +++++
I think that maybe your tonearm is not the best match for the XV-1 but maybe too the LP12 is not up to the task ( I can't be sure because the last LP12 that I heard was many years ago ).

+++++ " What stepup transformers would one recommmend to match with the M7 - there is obviously the Kondo SFz ... any other worthy contenders? " +++++

None, IMHO all the step up transformers ( it does not matters design or price ) make heavy degradation to the cartridge signal: please stay far away!!!!!

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
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