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Changing from an XV1-S

Hi All

I'm considering (read hankering) for a new cartridge. I have been using a Dynavector XV1-S for a while now and although it really is good I feel that other manufacturers have overtaken this recently with units that cost a 'tad' less.

It's going on my VPI Classis/ 10.5 and the new Whest PS.30RDT Special Edition/ Conrad Johnson ART MK1/ Levinson 331 Poweramp/ JM Lab Scala Utopia. The general sound from the system is excellent to bloody brilliant BUT having just heard an Ortofon Cadenza Black in the system I am led to believe that the XV1-S technology is 'getting on'.

A friend has recommended the Ortofon A90 or Lyra Titan.
Is there anything else I should look at?

My musical tastes are wide BUT do not include Opera, Classical or choir. I like vocals but love instumentals.

Thanks for your help - if I get any :)

dcarol
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Thom,
Thanks. Yes, I have been reading that thread and wish I could attend the demonstration. I have met a few of the people who will be in attendance. I trust their ears and experience, and look very forward to reading the opinions after the demo. I have read many good reports on the A90 and on the arms that will be heard. I trust you will have a wonderful evening.
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
Andromedaaudio wrote;
.....but to say the vpi does not have a "certain level" of sound i think is "a bit" far fetched , sometimes in the audiofile world , things which are cheap and already a long time on the market are considered not interesting( the tri planar is also long on the market is i know ). I have listened at dealer demos/shows to almost all the topcontenders in tables(excl SME) and cartridges and i would not say the high $ arms and tables are "much" better than what i own now.....
with vinyl there is so much info in the grooves waiting to be discovered that there are many levels of performance in tt's and arms (and cartridges and phono stages) as you go up the food chain. if you truely believe " i would not say the high $ arms and tables are 'much' better than what i now own" then you need to get out more. and that is not any disrespect toward your tt; it's a very good one and a good value....and much better than similarly priced tt's from 10 years ago. but there are tt's and arms out there that are a good deal better....one's that are dramatically better, and one's that are amazing.

the good news is that the great performance you are now enjoying can be that much better. and better cartridges have an even higher upside than you might think.
suteetat
435 posts
 
I am curious. I think that most people would tend to agree that at its price point, VPI Classic is certainly a good buy. Let say that if you have a Classic with all the upgrade option ie ring clamp, VTA tower/valhalla wire, SDS which would bring the total to around $4500-5000 (I think), if you want to upgrade from such setup to something that is clearly better, what would you get? How much would you need to spend to really improve upon the Classic?
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
Peterayer that was indeed madfloyds comment about "certain level"
Okay mike , i thought i had reached pretty much a platform here , but may be there is indeed much more to be discovered in the grooves , in the new " TAX " year i will buy a new turntable probaby a SME 20 /5 inch arm (fremer favorite) which is not that expensive , i read about your " the beat " also interesting .
The point i want to make is just that my current combo just smokes digital , my former wadia 581 doesnt deliver 50 % of what i hear now in terms of being there ,micro dynamics, nuances in voices and " tonal rightness".
Enough to be a very happy listener without much desires actually .
andromedaaudio
170 posts
 
Footnote : i ll be comparing VPI - SME 20/A in 1,5 month time as i have ordered one .
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