Graham Phantom DV XV-1s setup question

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.

Thanks for the responses. I moved my VTF up to 2.0 grams for now until there are more hours on the cartridge. I previously had it at 1.87grams which was the weight where the highs and lows seem to balance out, any heavier the highs got dampened any lower the highs were over emphasized. This cross over point might change as it breaks in. Sounds a little dull now. Regarding the damping fluid I am going on the advise of my dealer who said to use none with the XV-1s. He states the damping fluid should only be used with a select few cartridges as it effects how well the pivot works. I tried it both ways with my XX2 MkII and preferred it without fluid. Sounds like most people use the damping fluid, so I will need to try it later once the cartridge breaks in.

Musichead,

Good discussion. What you heard as you tweaked VTF (balance of highs vs. lows, altered dynamics) is exactly what I've been advocating for years based on my experience with other top level LOMCs:
1. Take VTF down to the mistracking point (on real records).
2. Then nudge it back upwards in TINY increments whilst listening for exactly what you described. With practice, you'll eventually hear differences from changes of .01g or even less.

Of course this ideal VTF point will vary with break-in, with the weather and even from record to record. It's a moving target because the molecular characteristics of elastomers are unstable by nature. So I tweak our VTF daily, as do many on this forum, but I haven't had my scale out in weeks (the last time I changed cartridges). For daily listening I don't need to know a number. I just adjust by listening.

Question: why not trust your ears and listen at the VTF that sounds optimal, starting right now? You paid nearly $3K for a very fine cartridge. Why not enjoy its superb highs and dyanmics for every hour of its (limited) lifespan?

Doug

P.S. Excessive Antiskating has the same sonic effect as excessive VTF: dulled highs and smothered dynamics. Try setting A/S to zero before finding your optimal VTF. Once you've dialed VTF in really well, play some challenging tracks (real music, not test tracks) and listen for R channel mistracking (with your ears on the tweeter axis). If that occurs, nudge A/S upward until mistracking disappears or is even on both channels. Use too much and you'll hear the same sonic negatives as raising VTF. You'll probably end up using much less than most people think is needed.

Thanks Doug, I have taken your advise and moved the VTF down to 1.90grams. Getting every minute out of this baby is important :-) Interesting points you make about the VTF continually changing and dependent on the record as they are not all cut the same. That logic explains what I hear, you either continually adjust or you accept a compromise on some. This level of equipment clearly reveals the micro adjustments. Regarding A/S I compared the minimum with the weight and no weight and preferred the sound with no A/S slightly more dynamic. Not sure but suspect AS and damping fluid for the Phantom II are mechanisms for tweaking sound but compromise the performance of the pivot so there's a trade off???

Jumping in late here, but I wanted to put a fine point on Doug's sage advice. It holds true even after compensating for the change in VTA/SRA after the tracking force change.

I've often wondered what makes people want to track the XV1* family at such high forces, considering that they might be compensating for either a bad setup, a noisy turntable, or some other shortcoming.

I've had 6 XV1s's chez Galibier (unfortunately, no "t" yet), and not one of them liked to track over 1.90.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier