Dynavector XV-1S ---is it overkill for my system?

Stringreen - you need to reread the thread, he doesn't have a head amp. He has 2 phono stages that are quite capable of running low output MC's.

Will_hererra - my view is you are in the right direction, Lyra Delos, and look to update the phono later or dump the preamp/phono and get a good preamp with phono.

I use a Lyra Delos with a Simaudio LP5.3 with external power supply, basically what you are using, and it is an exceptional combination. that being said, I have come to the conclusion that small incremental changes to your system is more financially taxing than biting the bullet and getting the best you can afford in the beginning. this is after you have a basic system which you are happy with and are enjoying the hobby. You certainly have that system now, so I would enjoy, and as I can afford it, buy one piece at a time until you reach nirvana. It will be cheaper in the long run.

Heard a DV XV1-t vs a Transfiguration Orpheus last week on the same tt (different arms though). In general, the DV was accurate, but the Transfiguration was more musical. The Orpheus had more of a bottem end that just fleshed things out better and made me want to listen. I've heard the DV1-s is a bit warmer than the DV1-t, but not by much.

Of course the Orpheus is no longer available, but the Phoeniz is also a great cartridge and it will save you some $$$ over the top end DV's.

Enjoy,
Bob

Unless you have the finest class of pre, you will loose what the Dyna XV-S can be capable. This can be an expensive purchase, which promted me to recommend the high output to ultmately get better sound.

Adamay---the thing is, I don't know if the Simaudio 310LP will be an improvement on the Heed, but I'm willing to take a chance to find out. Like you, I love my Heed Quasar, it's the best phono stage I've ever had in my system---BUT, my experience with other high quality phono stages has been very limited, so I wanted to broaden my horizons a bit and try something else, so I can put the Heed in perspective and understand what it's strengths and weaknesses are. Someone referred to the Heed as a "good budget phono pre" (the implication being that it's not in the same class as something like the Simaudio, I assume), so I want to find out if that's true. The Simaudio seems like a good choice---good loading and gain options (will work with the Dyna 17D3 and the Lyra Delos if I get one), Stereophile Class B recommended (for what that's worth), and I purchased it used---so how can I go wrong?