Changing from an XV1-S

Assumptions...

As a classical listener, I was amused that you delegated the Lyras to us. I've heard Lyras, and found them very boring and didn't serve the music. Why would you think I'd like my Stravinsky or Bax presented in any less of a fashion than my Kenny Dorham or Pere Ubu?

Seems like you staged your musical experiment to serve your outcome. Any table, even the lowest priced Music Hall, could present small differences in the cartridges mentioned.

Very interesting thread, nontheless. Threadster poses question, two very reputable dealers give sound advice, and threadster ignores advice. Then havoc ensues.

Typical...

Well guys I have the A90. It certainly is different looking. A skinny looking thing.

Chashasl - 'Threadster poses question, two very reputable dealers give sound advice, and threadster ignores advice'. Most dealers have their own pockets in mind....nuff said.

The A90 is a lot better than the XV1-S and it's a no brainer. For anyone who thinks otherwise, do youself a favour and listen to one. It is an eye opener. From cold it sounds good! Not brash or harsh like other MCs, just nice, a bit over smooth but that's a good thing for the first 20 or so hours..it means your ears don't bleed for the run-in period. 20 or so hours later and you can throw the XV1-S in the bin. Yes, the A90 is that good. It possesses a quality that sets it way apart from the XV1-S.
I hope that XV1-S users here aren't offended because I get the feeling that all you need to do here is say something 'negative' about a product and you are cast away.
Well XV1-S uers... the A90 is MUCH better, just like the VPI Classic is better than a Rega 3. It is REALLY hard to put into words how the A90 excels because out of all the MCs I've ever owned, this is the only one that sounds 'right' and plays music and does not sound hifi - if you know what I mean.

The Musicmaker question.... sounded 'thick' and muddy compared to the XV1-S. Also the Musicmaker has a 'mirky' soundstage but this is comparing it to the XV1-S. If compared to something in its $$$ range it might stand tall.

Yeh...I'm not a Classical head. I can't stand classical music which is why I think Lyra cartridges are good for classical :))

The Feickert Woodpecker I am seriously thinking about, I just need to put it up against my VPI to hear what it is like. Most tables today look like spaceships...the nice thing about the Woodpecker...it looks like a turntable IMHO.

Bring on the backlash... but to be honest I am over the moon with the A90. I have heard of a few folks buying 2 of them.... if I had the need (not the funds) I'd do the same.

Sounds like you are very enthusiastic. Congratulations Dcarol on you new cartridge. I have a friend who owns the XV-1s and he just bought an A90 but has not had a chance to set it up yet. I'm curious, have you ever heard an Air Tight PC-1? I would love to read a comparison between the PC-1 and the A90.

Dcarol,

I am happy to hear that you found a cartridge that pleases you more than the Dynavector. I never doubted that your table was more than suitable for bring out a high level of performance from your candidate cartridges. It is clear that, in your system, and for your particular sonic preferences, the Ortofon is more suitable.

My issue is not with your choice, but, the way others will take that information and try to glean a rough "consensus" about the relative merits of particular cartridges. I know it is not easy for anyone to audition a wide range of alternatives, so a rough poll might be better than nothing, but still, one should be open minded about negative views of certain candidates. I would also add that there is often a herd mentality when something new is introduced that may unfairly favor the newer product when it comes to toting up raves on the internet. Examples would be the opinions on Shelter, ZYX, Miyabe. . . the list goes on and on.

From the opinions posted above, I noted that some thought of the Titan as a "classical music cartridge." While I do listen to a lot of classical, I actually listen more to CDs for classical (much wider selection) and use my phono system more for rock and jazz. In my system, the Titan sounds VERY good. If I were forced to make a choice, I would pick the Titan over my other cartridge, the Orpheus L, and I really like the Orpheus L too. In his review of the Orpheus L, Michael Fremer noted that he has made CD-R recordings of the Orpheus L and the A90 for making head-to-head comparisons. He stated that most of the listeners preferred the Orpheus. I don't know how fair such comparisons are, but, it does show that the list of contenders is WIDE. My own short list of contenders would include: the Air Tight PC-1, Lyra Titan, Orpheus L, London Decca, Allaerte Reference, Koetsu Onyx Platinum, and Van Den Hul Colibre, and Ortofon PW (I have not yet heard the A90). These all sound different, but, I've heard them all sound really good in well set up systems.

Here's another thought and question on the XV-1s; is there such thing as a cartridge that is very, very, close to the XV-1s in sound quality and overall character, but at a more reachable cost? A "poor man's" XV-1s?