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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
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?
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
The Set Up is a bit individual, for example the loading. 100 ohms with Phonostage A is not identical with Phonostage B. It is like a chain, Phonocable, Gain from Preamp, Amp and so on. My choice would be in the 1k area, but it depends on the Phonostage or System.
I would use the range of recommended tracking fore, around 2.0 gr to be on the safe side. Too much is bad for the cantilever and there is also a compression in sound.
Bearing fluid
I use very little of it, it will need some time to settle (room temperature) or you can try a little bit of bearing oil instead.
The break in time is overrated, after a few hours it is the way it is, in general.
Next is that the owner gets used to the Presentation and accept it the way it is (or not). I am skeptical to answers when someone write, the Performance changed dramatically after 100h. I never had this in 15 years with my cartridges.
chashas1
596 posts
 
Hi, anywhere between 1.9 and 2.0 always seems preferred.
Stop overtracking this cartridge! It's insanity at its best. Also, 100 hrs breakin time is the rule. Keep playing, knock off the insane overtracking, and you'll be fine. Sorry, no experience with your arm, why not try your dealer? (just a suggestion)
philb7777
401 posts
 
I have my XV-1s on a JMW 10.5i arm with an VPI Aries 3 table. I actually have my tracking force set at 2.174 g and also have a tad of anti-skate applied. It's still within the recommended range (1.8 - 2.2 g). Not sure if its the arm/table combo compared to the Graham, but 2.174g seems perfect to me.
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