2. analog
  3. 1276961266

Graham Phantom DV XV-1s setup question

I took the plunge and moved from a DV XX2 MkII to the DV XV-1s :-) My TT is the TW Raven One. I have been playing around with the setup and currently have the loading at 100ohms, VTF 1.87gram, no anti-skate and no damping fluid.

After doing some searches read about the 2.5 tracking force option. I tried it at 2.20 grams for a couple of days and briefly at 2.50grams and it seemed to kill the dynamics. What I am experiencing now is slight thin/bright sound on some recordings, not what most people report as the character of this cartridge. Moving the VTF seems to kill the dynamics.

I've only had it now for 3 weeks, 20-30 hours. Is this the breakin character of the cartridge? is anyone using the damping fluid with this cartridge? how much if you are? Ideas? my phono stage can do 30,100,500,1000,47K.

Thanks!
128x128musichead
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Agree mostly with Bill.
I like my XV1s at 1.9 gms VTF, loaded at 220 ohms. Phantom II arm level with the platter and damping fluid up to blue mark as recommended by Bob Graham.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
I think you'll find the XV-1s will relax quite a bit over the next 50 hours or so. It is not a bad idea to run with a heavier VTF (2-2.2) for this breakin period, and just keep the VTA neutral for now. Once it does begin to relax would be the time to experiment to find how you like to set things. I agree with others, any loading from 100-500 should work fine.
myles_b_astor's avatar
myles_b_astor
134 posts
 
Listen to Dan. Cartridges, like caps, are taking longer and longer to break in. The ZYX took at least 100 hrs to fully break in.Then worry about setting VTA and other variables.
smoffatt
205 posts
 
Hi Halcro, I have a Phantom II as well but i can not locate that blue mark you are refering to for damping fluid level. Is this blue mark somewhere in the well or perhaps my arm is an earlier version of the II. It's about 1/4 up the shank now. I also have an XV1's and Ortofon A90 on 2 separate armtubes.
Thanks
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Hi Smoffatt,
On the Phantom II with Micro-poise, when you unscrew the knurled chrome cover to access the pivot damping well, the bottom of the 'shank' where it changes from circular profile to square (and then pointed), is coloured blue.
This may not be the case with earlier models?
More to discover