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Dynavector XV1s loading & phono

Hi.

For those of you that have owned the XV1s, just curious as to what phono stage you are using with yours (or have used) and what loading you are putting on it to make it sound great!

I have got a XV1s at the moment, but with the Cary PH301mkII tube phono stage, have never got it to sound great. I was using the XV1s on LP12/Valhalla/Ittok II/rignmat anniversary. The default loading for MC on the Cary is 680 ohms. I modified it to make it about 150 ohms which did make a substatial improvment, however, sound was still very dull, undynamic, muffled, very unexciting.

I have heard the TeKaitorua (next model down) on a Oracle/smeIv setup going thorough a very modest solidstage phono/integrated setup and that gave extraordinary results! Likewise with the Lyra Titan, used through a solid stage Lyra Connosieur phono stage was absolutely amazing. Some people have replaced their Titan's with the XV1s! I don't think I'm hearing anything close to what the XV1s is capable of at all.

I think it is something with my front end analogue setup as my CD playback sounds spectacular, WAY better than the XV1s/Cary combo in every way. Since I have blamed the Cary for the poor match with the XV1s, I have since replaced the unit with the Kondo M7 phono - but as this is just a standard phono stage, I have had to revert back to my very modest MM Linn K18II cartridge. The Linn/Kondo setup is better than the XV1s/Cary in every respect - probably equal to that of CD playback in my system. To use the XV1s with the M7, will require step up transformers.

Question is:
1) What sort of loading are you guys out there using with the XV1s and on what phono? Tube or solidstate?
2) Is my deck/arm/PS combo the main cause of the poor sound from the vinyl?
3) What stepup transformers would one recommmend to match with the M7 - there is obviously the Kondo SFz ... any other worthy contenders?

Thanks a lot for all you guys help.

Regards
David
linnmaster
linnmaster OP
45 posts
 
Hello all,

I agree with what Thom said above "remember him?" I do :) Thanks to everyone that has helped. I enjoyed reading the talk amoungst you - all useful information, so thanks. I now know that the sweet spot with regards to VTF is around the 2.0g for my case with the LP12, but I will definitely not limit myself to this figure - will experiment. With that in mind, I will persevere with the XV1s, but I need to get my phono side sorted before I would want to mount the XV1s back on. Pulling the XV1s on and off I don't think is too healthy for the arm leads or the cartridge itself. Loading wise, I have further found out a lot of people have settled for something between the 100-300 range. If I end up getting the Bent Mu Silver Stepups (1:20) based on input load of the M7 at 50K, then I would end up with a load of about 125 which the XV1s will see. I think this will be a good starting point in the near future. At the moment, its sounding good with the LINN K18II and also, I'm in "saving" mode.

Any comments about Antiskate force and what to set that to? To me, the last time I put the XV1s on the LP12, with the antiskate dialed up max, was still pulling into the record center hard. Or is this a sign that the cart is not set up properly. I have the cardas sweep frequency record if that can help get things better.

Thanks again,
David
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
FWIW,I find my own tracking force,of about 1.87-1.88gms to keep me in the balpark,with my Temper-v(it is tiring to spend ten minutes vying for an exact 1/100th gm setting,and sometimes longer).Yet I am getting SO picky that I check it about once a week.It DOES make a fairly large difference if it is "dead on"!It is usually off by around 1/00 of a gram,or so(on the lower side).Per week,and lower if I have not listened in a while.
Now,I realize environmental conditions have an impact,but I wonder if any arms can "hold" an almost exact number,for any length of time.I love my sound but am getting tired,and impatient,in my old age!
My CD player seems to be speaking to me,and saying..."Hey!!Schmuck!!You can have perfect sound forever,if you just stay loyal yo me"!
Of course my LP's don't agree,and I have a HUGE collection of real "treasures"!
HELP!!!
bkonig
127 posts
 
Rauliruegas: You say that if I use 480 Ohms to load my XV1S that I'm in trouble elsewhere in my system. My system is one of the absolute finest most resolving systems I ever heard. It is not easy to experiment with loading on the dart pre-amp. I did go lower on the dart with no appreciable improvement. I did however, try different loadings on my former pre-amp, the Manley Steelhead and did not find any magical settings lower down the scale. Myself and other knowledgable audiophiles are floored when we listen to my vinly rig. Yes, nothing is perfect, but happy to report no troubles for me in my system.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
9,123 posts
 
Dear Bkonig: Nice to hear about. The Manley is faraway from the quality Dartzeel performance. I already try 1K, 600, 300, 150 and 100 Ohms with my XV-1 and at least for my ears ( that certainly are not perfect ) I prefer 100-150. I have to tell you that 300 or 600 Ohms are not a huge differences but I can hear it.

Now, I have to accept that many times it is system dependent about. At the " end of the day " the subject is that you are satisfied with the quality performance at that load and that's what matters. Sorry to disturb you.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Load that Dynavector to a value that pleases your system and ears. Don't allow some self appointed expert and bully, who thinks he knows more than you but doesn't, to influence your decision.

That's a great cartridge.
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