XV-1s. Since 2000, timeless or ready for upgrade?

The XV-1s has a more sophisticated and refined character than the Shelter 9000 and 90X. It is a very seductive phono cartridge.

I have no business interest in either line.

Downunder,

Thanks for the reply, I got my information on the Audiogon listing of models databased. It was probably just a slip on their part, they show the XV-1s as first available in 2000.
I had ordered an XV-1s a year ago, then cancelled it, in favor of a Koetsu Platinum Signature Jade; which is still in the box, waiting and waiting----to be heard.

My original thought was to purchase, both the Xv-1s mono and stereo units, to install in the DV 507 MK II that I purchased a year ago.

The Idea has been revisited, and I will now look for the mono version to acommodate the classical mono LPs I have.

Being in Richmond Va. our local group, the Richmond Audio Society, has a "SIG," special interest group. It is devoted to vinyl afficianatos.

Yesterday we spent 6 hours playing, mainly mono recordings on both a mono, Lyra, and stereo XV-1s. We also listened to the same music on mono and stereo discs.

I brought Toscanini , 9 Bethoven Symphonies.I had 2 recordings, one original from 1956, a later re-issue . We qued them both up at the same time on 2 identical tables, one with the Lyra, one with the XV-1s. We noticed differences on the top and botton end. Switching records resulted in the thought that the mono sounded better on the mono cartredge. We also noticed that the re-issue sounded better in some circumstances than did the original.

Yesterdays meeting showed me that the sonics can be changed as much by the recording, original or re-issue, as by a change in gear.

Audio groups are GREAT!! Had we not run the round robin test of yesterday, my only thought would've been on cartridges. I now have another direction to persue.

The XV-1s mono will be my next purchase.

Ken

Audiofeil,

I've read many of your postings over the past years. Making a living in the high end audio world, maintaining a reputation for an opinion on that which you don't sell, but advocate, is rare. Thanks for your re-enforcment in my purchase.

Ken