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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
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.
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rauliruegas
13,103 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.
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
It could easily be "tube" related.
Best of luck.
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cipherjuris
145 posts
 
David,

Like Fmpnd, I use an Aesthetix Io Signature phono stage, but my table/arm is an SME 20/2 with Graham Phantom arm. I'm running Io gain wide open with 100 ohm loading on the XV-1s. The sound is wonderful, and I have never had any problems with the XV-1s. The first 20 hours, it was nothing special, but it began to open up after 20 hours and kep getting better and better until about 100 to 110 hours. It has about 150 hours on it now and the changes since 100 hours are not very significant.

Good luck sorting out the problem.

Ed
dgad
782 posts
 
I had a similar experience w. my XV-1s. The people I know w. success use a Phantom or VPI arm. It can also be phono stage. Not a price issue though. It is a matching issue. It also takes forever to break in. How many hours do you have on it? It needs about 200 in some cases.
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