Dynavector XV-1S impressions?

Hello Ecka,

Definitely lower the loading down to 100 Ohms or so.
As far as the gain goes, somewhere in the 60 db range is probably about right, depending of course on what your preamp's gain is set for. Once you get your cartridge broken in, which can take up upwards of 50 hours or so, I think you'll begin to appreciate it more. (And if you don't, well, don't sweat it, and go back to the A.N. Io. Life is too short to worry about splitting hairs as to which cartridge is the best one for you. Go with your gut instinct, and your ears, (not our ears!), of course

As far as your table and arm are concerned, I am probably using the same arm (Vector M3), and it works just fine with the XV-1S. (I wish I had your table though, as I am currently making due with a Basis 2001, although I am looking to upgrade up to the 2500 at some point.)

As far as a phono stage, (I'll just answer that here, rather than your new thread), I would recommend the ASR Basis Exclusive. It is a dual phono stage, that also runs in balanced mode. It is fully adjustable, (via dip switches), as far as loading and gain are concerned. It is dead quiet, as it uses rechargable batteries, (which automaticaly recharges when not in use). If you prefer some tubes in your phono stage, the Aesthetix IO signature, is very good, or the Manley Steelhead is another fine choice, as it is a hybrid phono stage.

In case you're wondering, I use the Ayre K-1xe preamp, with the built-in phono stage. One thing that I like about it, is that I can, and do, use the balanced inputs, which allows me to run XLRs throughout my system, from the cartridge to the amps.

Good Luck with the cartridge, and let us know how it works out for you!

Thank you all once again. I am cuurently out of town but am looking forward to getting back to try out the different loading and output settings.
I will certainly post a follow up once I have had a good listen.

Hello again.
Raul, I now see what you were saying in pertinence to the 45db setting, in that there is a particular performance gain at that particular setting.

But, as I know you'll agree my friend, that such a gain setting would of course not be any good-compatible,for a Cartridge that has an output of let's say .22mv to .34mv.

Since the Sutherland does have quite good adjustability as far as gain, and loading, it would sort of beillogical to then try to "match the cartridge to the stage", rather than make the needed-required adjustments at the gain, and loading boards.

I see lots of suggestions to the original poster to dump the Sutherland PhD, like a bad habit, and before anybody jumps conclusions, I think maybe one should read Mikey F's review of this Unit.

Mine is certainly nom slouch, and of course I am fully aware there are of course better Phono Stages, and as well, more costly, such as a $7500 manley Steelhead.

I'm not of course going to say the Sutherland can go neck, and neck with it, I'm sure it will not measure up, but will probably exhibit a much more dead silent background, versus even more costly Units.

As two fine friends ere have once taught me, generally go by the "25X Rule" (thanks nsgarch) multiplying times the Cartridge's internal impedance, and another good piece of advice from our forumite Doug Deacon, that yes, do set loading for now to manufacturer's suggested range, but as Doug once told me, "likeable" loading might be all over the place, untill the Cartridge fully settles down, and breaks in.

Hope this helps, Mark

I'm running a new production XV-1s with very few hours on it.

Of the seven XV-1s that have passed through my system (the other 6 were produced at least a year ago), this new sample is a bit less nervous than the other 6 - even during break-in.

It may well be that this is an anomaly, but Dyna's quality control and sample to sample consistency is one of their hallmarks, so I doubt this to be the case.

For example, every one of the XV-1s' I've run in my system has had an optimum tracking force within a .03 grams range. I suspect that there's more variance in my cartridge scale than in the cartridges.

Yes, load the XV-1s anywhere from 35 to perhaps 150 ohms. The DCR (coil resistance is 6 ohms (http://www.dynavector.com/products/cart/e_xv1s.html). In my systems, I've been in the 100 range.

Hi Mark - the 25 rule is a reasonable starting point. I tend to find 18-20 works in my system, but the key thing here is to think in terms of doublings and halvings as your dialing this in, so 25 is as good of a starting point as 18 is.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier